Houston Hosts the Super Bowl

When the Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots for Super Bowl LI, the host city of Houston will be center stage. As America’s fourth largest city, Houston is a thriving metropolis with an array of world class museums, a fabulous zoo, restaurants of every variety, and, of course, cowboys. But this is Super Bowl week and the focus in Houston will be on football, tailgating, beer, barbeque and all the quirky characters that come with the territory. Houston has plenty of all those things … including quirky characters. One such character is responsible for the Beer Can House.

His name was John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. John was a beer drinker. I don’t mean just an occasional beer drinker, but one with a regular beer consumption schedule. As a result, he accumulated his share of beer cans over the years. Rather than throw the beer cans out with the recycling, John started his own recycling project by turning his home into an iconic tribute to folk art—a house made of beer cans.

John didn’t start out to create a work of art; he was just a man managing some home improvement projects. Back in 1968, he began inlaying thousands of marbles and rocks in his yard to create unique landscaping for his Malone Street home because he “got sick of mowing the grass.” As is usually the case with home renovations, one job can easily lead to another and John found himself faced with the task of putting aluminum siding on the house. Sure he could have ordered a shipment of aluminum, but why should he? There were thousands of aluminum beer cans just lying around waiting to be flattened and nailed to the house.

For the next 18 years John continued covering his home with the cans. He created garlands of cut beer cans to hang from the roof edges, which reduced his family’s energy bills and gave the house a special song in the wind. He didn’t consider himself to be an artist—or a champion for recycling. He just liked beer. The neighbors didn’t seem to mind; in fact they helped him drink the beer so John would always have a supply of aluminum. Even the neighborhood children contributed their Mountain Dew and Coca Cola cans to the project at times.

John was a bit of a philosopher too which is evident by a sign in the front yard reminding us to live by the Golden Rule. A nearby ladder with one black rung serves as a reminder of the struggles we all experience from time to time and to continue the climb.

During the time John was drinking beer and working on his redecorating project, there was another unusual house developing across town. Houston postman, Jeff McKissack, believed that longevity was the product of hard work and good nutrition and that the orange was the key to nourishment. He created The Orange Show Monument in honor of his favorite fruit. An architectural maze of walkways, balconies, arenas and exhibits decorated with mosaics and brightly painted iron figures, The Orange Show Monument is a testament to creative thinking and proof that art can be found in the most unusual places. Since the death of their creators, The Beer Can House and the Orange Show Monument have been maintained by the Orange Show non-profit foundation and are open to visitors and events throughout the year.

After wandering around a house covered with beer cans, you’ll likely be ready for some beer of your own. Houston’s got your back with a burgeoning craft beer scene. Located in the EaDo warehouse district, the 8th Wonder Brewery is named after the Houston Astrodome and outfitted with actual stadium seating from the city landmark—and, yes, that’s baseball not football, but it’s still beer.

At the Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company in the Houston Heights neighborhood, you can sample popular brews like the Great White Buffalo and the 1836. Brewery tours are offered on Saturdays. Saint Arnold boasts the title of Texas’ oldest craft brewery. This local favorite produces signature staples like the Santo and the Endeavour and specialty releases including the Bishop’s Barrel. Saint Arnold also offers tours and tastings.

Of course you’re going to want some barbeque and Texas comfort food to go with your beer, and the Goode family has you covered. On the corner of Kirby and Barlett in downtown Houston stands a giant silver armadillo—the ultimate tribute to bling. This massive creature marks the spot for Goode Co. Armadillo Palace, a one-of-a-kind Texas saloon with Texas comfort food, live music and plenty of entertainment. Across the street is Goode Company Barbeque which has been serving mesquite-smoked Texas barbeque for over 30 years and consistently tops the “Best of Houston” lists. Save room for dessert because you won’t want to miss the mouthwatering Brazos Bottom pecan pies. And, of course, you can wash all that good barbeque down with a couple more beers. Game on.