This limited release, oak barrel-aged Bodacious Double IPA from Karbach Brewing Co. has been a bit difficult to find in area restaurants, but we managed to find a bottle at this Sugar Land burger favorite. And just as with its popular growler program (which allows you to take home draft beer in a gallon jug), you can also buy unopened bottles of Bodacious to go.

The licuados served at this popular East End haunt are frothy, refreshing, not-too-sweet but maybe too big; the glass they're served in is practically the size of a fish bowl. If you can't make it through an entire cinnamon-topped papaya licuado (as shown here), don't sweat it. I think there's at least a gallon of liquid in there.

This popular Heights coffee shop serves more than just caffeine: Its breakfast tacos and fried egg croissants are excellent, and the beverage case has options like Maine Root soda and locally brewed Kickin' Kombucha (which would still be my favorite brand of the fermented beverage even if it wasn't made right here in Houston).

At this hotel bar, the menu is about to get completely revamped by new chef Jonathan Jones. The drinks, however, are still flowing until then. And with the nicer weather in the air, it's the perfect time to enjoy a glass of wine on the hotel's notably beautiful patio.

At this Italian import, you can find specialty Italian beverages on the menu that are otherwise hard to come by. My favorite is the Chinotto, which San Pellegrino claims to have created in 1932. Made from the fruit of the myrtle-leaved orange tree, it's said to be "bitter orange" flavored -- but I think it tastes more like carbonated, nonalcoholic Aperol. Either way, it's a great way to enjoy a cocktail-like drink senza the booze.

The draft selection at this newish Washington Avenue lounge concentrates almost exclusively on Texas beers, with at least two local Oktoberfest brews on tap right now. All of the beers -- draft or not -- are $1 off during happy hour and bottles of wine are a whopping 25 percent off, making the daily 4 to 7 p.m. "hour" very happy indeed.

This unassuming Midtown watering hole has great happy hour specials, excellent sports-viewing perches and some fairly fine food for such a quiet little place: Its burgers are very good and its homemade gumbo isn't too shabby either, especially punched up with some Tabasco. Best of all, the typical Midtown crowds don't seem to have this spot on their radar, meaning it's usually cozy and calm.

Yes, that's a Saint Arnold pint glass, but inside it is Brooklyn beer Sixpoint. And this tavern was one of the first in Houston to stock a Sixpoint selection, including my personal favorite: Sweet Action, a cream ale that might just make you forget about all other beers for at least a few weeks.

At this craft beer favorite, you can sample beers of every color and kind (as our photographer here has so ably done). And now that the kitchen has reopened, you can get its famous Rancor burger once again too.

There's only one place we know of that still makes drinks like grape phosphates, mixes its own Cokes at the soda fountain and serves Blue Bell ice cream shakes on top of all that. It's a bit of a drive, but it's worth the trip -- especially if you've got some time off during this holiday week.