“If we wanted to purchase a really good beer, then we had to drive into [Houston],” Dawn said.
The Tylers’ love of beer coupled with Dawn’s and Rick’s exit from the food service industry and logistics sectors, respectively, led to the couple opening a craft beer bar near downtown Humble that offers beer to go.
The Hop Stop carries between 40-50 beers rotating through the bar, 16 of which are on tap, as well as eight to 10 wines. It also has beer to go and flights to let customers try a wide variety of beers, including sours, stouts and India pale ales.
“Some people come in here, and they’re a newbie, and they do not have a craft palate,” Dawn said. “My favorite thing is to create a flight for them and then get them out of their comfort zone.”
Dawn said she likes to think of herself and Rick as craft beer purists, as their bar only features brews from craft breweries rather than big-name beer conglomerates. With The Hop Stop being a small business, Dawn said it was important to them to support other mom and pop businesses.
Despite their craft beer conviction, Rick said the bar has a fun, comforting atmosphere that makes the community come together and feel like family.
Visitors can find 300 brewery stickers, a lone leg lamp, a drum set, a flag made from beer caps and vinyl records playing at the bar. The business is also the home to weekly dart tournaments and Sunday jam sessions on the patio.
“Here’s one thing about us: We don’t take ourselves very seriously, so we really hope people that come through the door don’t as well,” Rick said. “Beer should be fun; it’s not that serious. ... We just care about who makes it and how it’s made.”
The Hop Stop
802 First St. E., Ste. 300, Humble
281-883-4399
www.thehopstophumble.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. noon-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m., closed Mon.
