Wicked Boxer Brewing took inspiration from the owners' dogs.
After nearly five years in business, Wicked Boxer Brewing is closing its doors this weekend, marking the latest move in a string of Houston beer world shake-ups.
The Cypress brewery originally opened in December 2017 and moved to Barker Cypress Road in 2020, where it will pour pints for one last week until it shuts off the taps on Aug. 21. The owners, Brian and Jamie Cain, announced the closure on social media.
"Our founder & CEO, Rogue, has made the decision to retire," read identical posts on Facebook and Instagram. "He's tired of having to clean up after Brian's messes."
Rogue isn't your typical biped CEO. Rather, he's one of two black boxer dogs, with his buddy Rebel, who have served as mascots and tongue-in-cheek inspiration for the brewery throughout the years.
It's been an eventful few months for the Houston area's beer scene. Bearded Fox and City Acre had both planned to close but were bought by a new owner at the last minute. The owners of Equal Parts bought Brash, and Holler and Local Group breweries also recently changed hands. There's been new blood, too, such as Frost Town downtown.
Ahead of their last day, Wicked Boxer is pouring all the beer they have on tap and filling to-go growlers for customers. They are also selling their entire inventory, including brewing equipment, furniture, and swag such as koozies and T-shirts. "Stay tuned for a shopping list so you can grab a piece of history!" the owners wrote. "Our gratitude and thanks can never be measured in words. We love y'all!"
Emma Balter is the food editor for Chron.
She was previously an entertainment reporter for the Houston Chronicle, writing food, drink and feature stories. Before joining the Chronicle in March 2020, Balter worked for Wine Spectator magazine for six years as a writer, editor and tasting coordinator. She has also contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Eater, PureWow, Chowhound and VinePair, among others.
Balter grew up in Paris, France, where she got an early taste for good food and wine. She studied English Literature at Newcastle University in the U.K. and was the lifestyle editor of the student newspaper. She currently lives in southwest Houston.
Follow her on Twitter at @EmmaBalter