After seven years of working at Saint Arnold’s Brewing Co., a Houston-based craft brewery, Spring resident Mary Thorn decided to channel her industry knowledge into a new business venture: a craft beer bar and bottleshop. Mary, along with her husband, Jon, and son Jake, opened Thistle Draftshop on FM 2920 in Spring in December 2017. The draftshop specializes in an ever-changing selection of independent craft beer, wine, meads and ciders available on draft or by the bottle. “I feel very strongly about the craft beer industry, and that’s who we want to support,” Mary said. “We want to bring in those beverages that are unique and hard to find.” At any given time, Mary said the 60-tap bar has up to 58 different brews on draft with two taps reserved for nitro cold-brew coffee. The restaurant partners with Bluebonnet Coffee Co., a New Waverly-based coffee roaster, and introduced coffee service in February. To complement these beverages, Mary said the kitchen offers local favorites, such as the Lemon Cajun Wings, Kimchi Braut and pork belly tacos, created by chef Ernesto Villarreal. The eatery also offers Sunday brunch featuring twists on breakfast classics, including a Crawfish Benedict. “Our food is elevated gastropub fare,” Mary said. “We didn’t want to do that typical fried bar food—we wanted to do something different.” Located in the space of a former auto shop, the converted venue features a large bartop; a semiprivate lounge area with couches; and a glassed-in private room, which can be rented for events ranging from classes and parties to memorial services and weddings. Mary said she hopes to add a back patio to the eatery in the future. “We really want people to utilize this place,” she said. “This is a great study place, work place and community place; it does not need to be empty.” Thistle Draftshop 5210 FM 2920, Ste. 100, Spring 832-823-0194 www.thistledraftshop.com Hours: Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thu.-Sun. 11 a.m.-midnight