This episode we give thanks to a brewery oasis in the wide open spaces of west Texas. Next, we get smoked by a culinary pit master who helps us pair Thanksgiving meal favorites with beer. And finally, we salute troops, past and present, and speak with a veteran who rose above his own struggles and then summited Mount Kilimanjaro with a band of brothers. That and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 oz.

Horny Toad Brewing Company / The Warrior's Keep / Renegade Brewing Supplies / Short's Brewery / Track 7 Brewing Company / BAND / Anchor Brewing / Stella Artois / Samuel Smith's Old Brewery / High Water Brewing /

This episode's featured beers include Stella Artois' Midnight Lager, Anchor Brewing's Anchor Porter, Samuel Smith's 30th Anniversary Winter Welcome Ale, and High Water's Sugaree Maple Pecan Pie Stout. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

Exterior view of the Horny Toad Brewing Company in Rowena, Texas. The company operates out of a converted older than old school gas station and a man cave-like taproom inside, loaded with local and beer-related memorabilia. (Horny Toad Brewing Company/Courtesy photo)

The beer selection and years of collected memorabilia featured behind the counter show the owner's passion and knowledge of the beer industry at Horny Toad Brewery in Rowena, Texas (Runnels County), Oct. 6, 2019.

One of the locally-made tables featured at Horny Toad Brewing Company in Rowena, Texas, on Oct. 6, 2019. The furnishings land other memorabilia give the taproom and service station area a comfortable, relaxing feel. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

After cooling down the wort, which is the liquid produced during the brewing process, Horny Toad pumps it into the fermentation room into Bonnie, Clyde or Barrow to keep it below 70 degrees. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

The taproom of Horny Toad Brewery, open once monthly on the first Saturday of the month, in Rowena, Texas, Oct. 6, 2019. The brewery is housed inside a converted old time gas station, where the brewery's owner, Mike McNeill, still has his first home brew kit, a Mr. Beer brew kit, as the tip jar. Friends and family run the operations, and homemade food in crock pots replaces the usual food truck. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

The Horny Toad Brewery's logo as seen in the woodwork of the bar top, Oct. 6, 2019. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

A proud-looking Jan-Michael Valdez shows off his smoked brisket. (Courtesy photo/Jan-Michael Valdez)

Jan-Michael Valdez in his element, brewing tasty beer. (Courtesy photo/Jan-Michael Valdez)

 

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, poses with his "battle buddies" while atop Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. (The Warrior's Keep/Courtesy Photo)

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, poses with local children while in Tanzania to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. (Courtesy photo/The Warrior's Keep)

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, looks out over Tanzania following his ascent to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. (Courtesy photo/The Warrior's Keep)