Cruising with Classics: Inside the Hot Rod Tour of Texas
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Cruising with Classics: Inside the Hot Rod Tour of Texas
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Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast.
Sit down, sit down, sit down.
Sit down.
From the Spindle Tap Rory on Houston's north side, one of the stops on the Hot Rod Tour of Texas.
It's the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show Just ahead.
We've got Bobby Sparkman sitting down there to talk about the Hot Rod Tour.
Yes, please put that on, because nobody's going to be able to hear you without that.
Yeah, just hang tight.
Jeff has the crews in on events calendars and I'll bring you stories making automotive news headlines this week.
Howdy, along with Mike out of this world bars.
We always need more, jeff Zekin.
We have Chief Engineer David Ainsley with us.
We're glad that you could join us as well on this Saturday morning for our live broadcast.
Look who we found.
I know it's about time.
I don't know where you've been.
Oh, scanning.
Oh, scanning people in Scanning, you know?
Checking them in.
Yeah, You're killing me Smalls.
So, how much?
sleep.
Have you gotten Two hours?
last night.
That's pretty good for the fast double After my phone call at midnight.
Oh we didn't go to bed until like 2.30
this morning, got up at 5.
Yeehaw, me and Johnny McGarity, we stayed up late until we emptied Di's chest.
We kind of ran it empty.
So everybody's been happy.
Oh it's been a good trip.
Good trip yeah.
We've got a few that have had some mechanical difficulties.
One from Missouri is going back on a trailer blew his transmission up, yeah.
Well, we've seen your posts.
They've got transmission repair places here.
It was set up to repair it or replace it last night, but he wants to upgrade it, so he gonna you know, and that's part of the hot rod, that's exactly that's what I was just.
I was just talking to him and that's what I said.
I said you're doing it right.
You're doing it right.
Yeah, you'll never be happy if you don't do it the way you want and why didn't I do it shucks, you know exactly he already blew up one 4l60.
He's like why do I want to put another one of those in?
there we saw a couple that were pulled over for whatever reasons, but then at the next stop we saw them coming in.
Yes, so nothing really major.
The transmission obviously is major.
That's a major.
It could have been a flat tire or maybe an overheating hose.
We had a.
Bel Air.
Not sure what happened.
They worked on it for five hours on the side of the road and ended up leaving it at AutoZone parking lot and he's got a trailer coming and getting it.
We think it's got probably some water in the gas, picked up some bad gas somewhere.
Well, rare but those things do happen, it happens.
But it's a single-barrel carburetor.
Nobody's going to have that available, yeah, so that's kind of the plan with that.
You bet.
So how many are still on tour?
What's?
the number.
We're a little over 200.
A little over 200.
We started with three correct 302.
302.
Okay, Very good.
Well, they'll probably be around.
Oh yeah.
They'll probably be straggling in yes, yes, so you know we just talked to your better half.
I can hear you all.
You can hear us out there, yeah.
Well.
I don't want to keep you because I know that you, I have summoned Elizabeth here at the Spindle.
Tap.
Yeah, because this is such a unique venue I knew you guys would love it, but it is so off the wall.
It's all about you and your weirdness.
Who would know this is here?
I found it, and 300 of his weirdest friends, so where?
is the owner here.
I haven't seen him yet.
We haven't been here long.
You know that there's three of them.
Right, right, yeah, and I just found that out this morning, did they?
take you on the back.
I did that a few weeks ago.
It's pretty cool.
It is, it's very cool, and they bottle their own stuff and can it?
Everything right here, which is really cool for a small brewery.
It is Great beer too, by the way, Really.
I don't know, we haven't had one yet.
Well, I hear.
I really don't get to partake in it.
I think, you're in trouble, you're in trouble.
What they wrangled me.
I'm sorry.
He was just passing by.
We sat him down.
He can go now because we've got his replacement All right.
We love you.
Thank you, you get the hot seat now.
Bobby Sparkman is kind of in charge of all this?
He is.
He's the man.
Thank you.
Bobby, I'll catch up to you in a little bit.
So our next guest is from the Spindletap Brewery people.
Her name is Elizabeth Valentine, and I said would you come and be on with us?
Oh God, why not?
Were you scared?
Hello.
You know we're in 50 countries.
Oh my gosh.
Around the world, Around the world.
I've been outside parking cars.
Have you.
Yeah, this is on top of the duties from yesterday's party that you had out here yes yes.
Does your husband know what you do?
He does, yes, he does what you do.
He does, yes, he does.
Has he ever?
been out here at one of these events.
Oh, absolutely.
Has he come to tay?
Why didn't he come today, of all the days he's with the little one?
How old is the little one?
She's six.
So elizabeth valentine um is here, uh, and she kind of represents I'm going to say that represents the spindle tap really my title is Marketing and Events Manager, but with a small company it's kind of a jack-of-all-trades job.
Yeah, so did you see the ad somewhere that they were looking for somebody like?
you, or did you show up on your?
doorstep.
Is this a friend of?
yours.
How does that work?
Well, actually my husband and I both used to work for a liquor distributor and Spindle Tap had contacted them looking for some whiskey barrels and so they actually touched base with my husband first and they just were talking and they said they needed somebody to help with marketing and events and stuff and he was like, oh well, my wife would be perfect for that.
And the next thing you know, I was here, so your husband volunteered you for this.
Yes, and now we're here, nine years later.
Nine years?
Yes, really Was this here nine years ago.
This was here nine years ago, yes.
Really, this is the best kept secret in Houston.
It is.
Man, if you ever wanted to get away or hide, this would be the place to go Because nobody knows about this.
Yes, and we're family friendly, so you can bring your kids and hang out for the day.
So what are the hours of this place?
So we're open Tuesday through Sunday.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays we open in the afternoon.
Wednesdays we do a steak night, and then Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we open at 11 am.
Yeah.
Sundays we close at 7, but Thursday, friday and Saturdays we're open until 10.
Very good.
How do people find out about this place?
Well, there's still a lot of people finding out about it.
We have people here come all the time, like I never knew this was here.
It's kind of like our diamond in the rough.
But yeah, I mean, we do our parts as far as you know, as much marketing as we can, and we do private events also, so we have lots of Kind of like that crazy thing that you did yesterday.
Yes, exactly yes.
That was a company event that was benefiting Texas Children's Hospital.
So 300 people, cornhole tournament, crawfish boil, and then we have this event, of course, which is amazing, and then we have another event right after that.
Do you?
Yes, when?
Tonight, this evening?
Yes, this evening, right after that.
Do you yes?
When?
Tonight, this evening?
Yes.
This evening, uh-huh, so you'll have just enough time to clean up this mess and then move on.
Yes, it's going to be a quick turnaround, yeah.
Do you want us to stay for that event too?
Oh, you don't have to.
We don't have to.
We don't have to no we don Having a crawfish foil.
But they don't have a radio show here.
They don't.
Did you ask them if they wanted one.
I should have yes.
You should have yeah, you can market us any time, okay.
Actually what we're thinking about doing.
What's the boss's name here?
Yeah, brody Chapman.
Okay.
They want to open up a permanent broadcasting center right here at the Spindle Tap Worldwide For our worldwide broadcast on Saturday mornings.
That would be great.
Wouldn't it See?
We wouldn't have to move anything, we could just come up here.
We don't take our friends.
This is like a perfect little nook too, because you're in all the action you can see outside.
We only work three hours a week.
Oh, that's awesome.
I'm jealous, are you?
You can see outside.
We only work three hours a week.
Oh, that's awesome.
Yeah, I'm jealous, are you?
Well, I have to tell you, when I came up here, I'm thinking am I in the right place?
And she, it does an office in here.
She offices next door.
I found out, yes, because I go to the front door and it's locked Call her on the phone.
Hey, I'm here.
Oh yeah, just come on in next door.
Yes, Yep, yep, we have four other businesses that operate out of here.
And what other businesses do the boys have?
So they have a logistics company.
They do trucking hot shots.
They have a crating company where they do big shipping crates, a fracking company Well, the brewery, obviously.
And then they also do warehousing Racking Company well the brewery, obviously, and then they also do warehousing.
All in this little nook in the corner of northeast Houston and they've got such a big yard to play in out here, yes, three and a half acres.
Three and a half acres of grown-up play day out there.
Yes, play day for all ages.
We've got putt-putt golf, cornhole basketball, baseball.
We've got horseshoes.
There's stuff to do.
And a place for the band to keep you entertained.
We've got a stage for the band.
We actually have two stages.
We've got this pavilion out here and another one in the back.
Yes, Fortunately we have some nice covered space, especially with Houston and Houston weather.
When I came to visit you a month ago I was a little bit concerned we all were about the weather.
Yes.
And to do the broadcast we either got to take a tent or we got to.
Yes, the logistics of doing this is a little bit more than most people think.
Yes, so we always do things rain or shine, but we did put an additional tent up just in case.
Gotcha.
So I want to ask you how many beers are brewed here?
A lot, but we do have, and these are all your own recipes and trial and error to make it.
I like dark beer.
You got any of that?
We do.
We have a stout, and we really more focus, though, on IPAs.
That's kind of what we're known for, but we really have a beer for everybody.
We know how you millennials are.
I know Doody Beer snobs.
My favorite beer is a Rita Margarita.
That's my favorite beer.
I also like those.
Yeah, I don't discriminate.
I've sampled a few.
Yes, me too.
So I'm thinking that beer's for everybody, yeah, um, so I'm thinking that beer's for everybody.
Yeah.
So we um kind of branched out.
We really started um, what really made us kind of well-known was the hazy IPA phase.
That happened like eight years ago, um, and then we ended up venturing because, you know, a lot of people are not craft beer drinkers.
We do, um, private events here.
So you know you have people here that aren't necessarily here because people are not craft beer drinkers.
We do private events here.
So you know you have people here that aren't necessarily here because they're a craft beer enthusiast.
They're just here because there's their companies hosting an event.
So we also have, you know, lighter options.
The local lager is kind of similar to like a Michelob, like as far as carbs and calories.
So it's called local lager, like low-cal Ah.
A little play on that.
Yes, it tastes better, though, since you and your husband were in the liquor business.
I would imagine that you know your liquor.
Yes, yeah, we've both been in the adult beverage industry our whole careers.
We've been into adult beverages, but no industry.
Yeah, we always have to fork over the money, but we support the industry.
We support the industry.
And we'll support it even better when I have a stout sitting right here.
I will make that happen.
Yes, well, we appreciate that.
It's so funny because, from my experience with the Hot Rod Tour, all of this is happening right now as we speak.
Yes, and then in an hour everybody will be gone, exactly.
It's so weird.
Yes, and then it's on to the next round.
Yeah, so for you, all this means is a double tap day here at Spindle Tap, do you?
have that often we do, and it's you know really, when.
When we first started, it was all about the brewery, but now that we, we, we didn't always have this space over here, right, so we ended up purchasing that and putting was there something on it?
Yeah, it was the church you tore the church down.
Well you.
You're changing water into wine.
It's kind of a holy thing, but they couldn't convert it to beer.
It was falling down.
What would Jesus do?
Yeah, we're thinking more along the lines of instead of the water to wine, we're thinking water to margaritas.
That's a lot of margarita.
No salt Frozen margarita.
No salt Frozen margarita machines everywhere.
I'm on the rocks, I'm on the rocks.
There you go.
Yeah, but yeah, we've grown a lot in the last nine years.
I'll say so how many brewery establishments are there in Houston?
I know of a couple others.
There used to be a lot more um, unfortunately, you know, covid took out quite a few of them.
Um, and then, just in general, um, the alcohol industry as a whole has been kind of struggling a bit, so, um, unfortunately a lot of them have shut down.
There used to be a time um, most of them are in town, the heights area east downtown on this type of format or smaller much smaller, yes, um.
So one thing that makes us unique is that we do have all this space right, kind of like a destination brewery like right and you can hide from somebody that you don't want to be with or see exactly oh, there's that aspect of it.
I'm sorry, how big is your distribution area?
I mean, how far out can your product be found besides here?
So we usually focus on the backyard first, but we are in seven different states.
We have a good presence in Austin, san Antonio, dallas, okay, okay, louisiana is a really big market for us.
Cool, yes, so basically we have distributors in each region.
Do you bottle it or is it distributed?
You can't.
So we only bottle one beer a year, and that's for our anniversary event.
And that changes every year in what you're putting in it.
Yeah, it's usually a stout, so I'll have to get you one of those.
Yes.
Yeah, but other than that we can only.
And there's a canning thing back there.
Yep, we've got a canning line Somebody asked me what do they do.
I said I don't know what they do there, but I think that the guys that own the place really wanted to have a place to go after work and they built their own brand brewery in there Pretty much.
Yeah, Spindle Tap came from Spindle Top, Texas.
Yes.
And they got that name and idea because the logistics company was mostly in the oil and gas industry, so they ended up naming it Spindle Tap and then that's kind of how we went with the oil derrick themes.
Yes, we're familiar with that Houston Oilers, houston Oilers and as you can see, we're very much Houston sports and all things Houston.
So are there certain days of the week that obviously you've got games that kids can play?
Yes, are there certain days or hours that kids aren't allowed in here, like after seven?
or must be 21 or no, so um, we are family friendly all the time all the time unless it's a private event.
That gotcha, they don't want it to be right.
But yes, that's kind of like the new thing now, like you can bring your kid to the bar.
Well, it's not to me.
This isn't a bar atmosphere, it's not.
Yeah, we wanted it to be everybody.
The owners are very family-oriented.
They all have kids.
They really wanted a place where friends and families could come and hang out and stay a while.
There's activities for the kids.
We're pretty enclosed, enclosed so it's, you know, fairly safe away from the rest of the community right, so they can run around they'll tear the church down or jump on the train, yeah so so you have a food truck out here right now.
Yes, do you usually have a food truck for events or just yes, so we have.
it's Texas, their wood fire pizza.
He also does private catering, though.
He does really amazing barbecue.
He does our steak nights also.
He does some really amazing hamburgers too, actually, but when he is not on site, we do use other food truck vendors and have them out here.
So you don't have anything in-house.
Right no kitchen in-house.
Not yet Not not yet that's going to be the next jersey tear down on the other lot, that's not a bad idea because of the you know just uh he was okay with it.
It was competition too close got you that's it all right.
Well, hey, thank you so much.
I I'm glad that I answered your phone.
I should have said something to you earlier and didn't and forgot.
Imagine that.
But, we thank you very much.
Absolutely, thank you.
You've been a great host and we appreciate you and we'll get out of here soon, but I am going to take you up on that dart that stout, that dart stout Okay.
And you let me know if y'all want anything too.
I've never had a stout.
Oh well, you need to try one, I don't know if I'm old enough to have a stout.
Two straws, Two straws yeah.
We're not having two straws, that's a story yeah.
Thank you, hey, thank you very much.
Thank you again.
Yes, elizabeth Valentine Spindle, tap Brewery.
Let's everybody say it.
Thank you Coming up.
Jeff has the cruise in and events calendars and all of the stories making automotive news headlines this week.
Stay with us here on the Hot Rod Tour of Texas and the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
We continue after this break.
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Thanks for joining us today here on In Wheel Time.
Let's check out the cruise in and events calendars.
Jeffrey, I've got that right here.
Hot Rods and Muscle Car Cruising at Whataburger what a good place to be.
That's in San Antonio.
That is next weekend, May 3rd, from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Be there, be square.
Most Hot Rods and Muscle Car Cruising every Saturday from 6 to 10.
It's at 4050 North Loop, 1604 West San Antonio.
I've been on it.
It's a big road, kind of high speed.
It's across from the Academy on 1604.
And then you've got Woodlands Cars Coffee for a Cruise, May 4th, 630 am to 1030 am at the Market Street in Woodlands at Uni Sushi.
You've been there and it's at the 95-95 Six Pines Drive in Spring, Texas.
We went up there and ate some squid and octopus or something.
There you go.
I know Fish bait, fish bait, there you go, that's what we call it.
There's nothing better than gas station sushi.
I'm telling you Pistons at the park, that's, at Austin Park, at Interstate 35, in Pflugerville, pflugerville, pflugerville.
We encourage everyone with anything on, come out and show off your sweet ride.
That includes you, david.
Come to this event, no judging, just come out, socialize all that good stuff.
Respect the property, all the things that we normally do at a tour or a hot rod event Respect the people around you, respect the community.
So that's what I have, uh-oh.
Thank you very much.
I got a root beer.
Look at that.
I will tell you that that is probably the best dark beer I think I've had ever.
And then we've got Lone Star and Granberry.
Yeah, there you go had to mention that Not to bring everybody down, but huh, don't do that, I know.
So what did you get?
Ipa, of course you did.
Okay, millennial.
Nah, what are you going to get Mars?
I'm going to get the bill.
I'm going to try one of these, but I ask her for just like half of one or something.
I'm not a real beer drinker anymore.
I'm not either, but that is really good.
Well, I'm going to try it.
All right, so not to bring everybody down what, but this is a story about a woman that was killed.
Oh, no, and the man behind the wheel.
Everybody down though you're talking about car crash and it's amanda cervadio 36, was cycling home from a group bike ride in new york when she was struck and killed by a speeding driver whose license plate had 80 camera issued speeding or red light tickets since mid 19 I'm sorry, mid 2022.
Wow, beckham fisicube.
The man behind the wheel, according to police, is alleged to be the type of driver being targeted by legislation in new york that would install aftermarket speed limiters on vehicles with six or more speed or red light camera tickets in a year, as well as any driver who receives 11 or more points.
It's's a system that they have in New York?
Yeah, we have that in Michigan too.
On their license in two years.
New York's not alone Nearly passed legislation from Washington State Takes effect in 2029 and will require reckless drivers to install intelligent speed assistance devices.
Virginia's intelligent speed assistance law, signed by the Republican governor up there, will go into effect in 2026.
Legislators from California, arizona and Maryland have proposed bills that require the use of speed limiters for reckless drivers, and Intelligent Speed Assistance systems capture the speed limit based on some combination of cameras, roadsides, gps and virtual maps.
Devices such as ignition interlocks from Smart Start, sturdy's Lifesaver and Magtech SafeSpeed would be installed on the vehicle and interface with the throttle to resist drivers' ability to travel faster than a predetermined limit In New York.
Affected drivers would not be able to exceed five miles per hour above the speed limit In New York.
Drivers would be required to install the devices in lieu of licensed suspension and would have to pay for the cost of the device with allowances for low-income drivers.
National Cooperative Highway Research Program has estimated that as many as 75% of drivers with suspended licenses continue to drive.
So interesting they need that here in the state of Texas.
Well, it's interesting, but I kind of don't like it.
You know big brother coming in and I don't need him any further in my business than what he already is.
They're already in it, buddy, unless you break the law.
Yeah, but how are you?
going to know that's me driving your car or you driving your car, because it's monitoring the car, not the driver.
That's the problem well, they don't drive the cars.
The driver of the car I know but the next step is to take the rental cars and say, okay, all the rental cars can't go any faster than this.
Okay, so there's one other item that I want to get in before the end of the show, and that is that Nissan North America is suing a New Jersey dealership and its floor plan lender, seeking damages and in order allowing it to repossess unsold vehicles, the store refused to surrender.
The federal judge alleges infinity of Inglewood failed to pay Nissan more than $3.4
million for 64 vehicles delivered last fall 64 vehicles were $3-something billion.
Golly okay.
They're going to jail and they're going to owe an awful lot of money.
And give the cars back.
Well, they've already taken the cars.
Yeah, I never understood People that make a lot of money.
Sometimes they get greedy and they just want to make more money.
How much more money do you need?
I know how much more money I need, but I don't know how much more money they need.
I know you bought a Rambler earlier today.
Yeah, rambler earlier today.
Yeah, you did.
I sold you a rambler, an ugly rambler, convertible.
It's yours now, my little brother had four ramblers.
He loved them.
I don't know why you call him your little brother.
My younger brother, your dumb brother had four ramblers.
Sorry, I don't know your brother, but I just Never mind he's from another mother.
Yeah.
A brother from another mother From another mother.
Yeah, let's don't go there.
Hey, we'd love to hear from you.
Shoot us an email.
The address is info at inwheeltimecom.
We're going to wrap up today's show on the Hot Rod Tour of Texas here at the Spindle Tap Brewery.
Right after this quick break.
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Well, that's all for this week's In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
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Oh yeah, if you have an idea or an event, let us know.
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Mike out of this world, Mars, and let's not forget our chief engineer, david Ainsley.
You're even getting applause from the crowd.
I'm Don Armstrong.
Next week we'll be back in our Sugar Shack studios.
Thank you, lord, and we hope you'll join us.
We want to thank Elizabeth Valentine from Spindletop Brewery for her great hospitality.
You be safe out there and have a great week.
What did I say, spindletap?
is where we're at.
That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.
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About this episode
The Hot Rod Tour of Texas is in full swing, and the crew from In Wheel Time Podcast is broadcasting live from Spindle Tap Brewery. Guests include Bobby Sparkman, who shares insights on the tour's challenges, including mechanical issues faced by participants. Elizabeth Valentine from Spindle Tap discusses the brewery's unique offerings and family-friendly atmosphere. The episode also touches on upcoming automotive events and news, making for an engaging conversation about the hot rod culture and community.
Original notes
What happens when 300+ hot rods descend upon Houston's best-kept secret? We found out when the Hot Rod Tour of Texas rolled into Spindle Tap Brewery, transforming this hidden north Houston gem into a classic car paradise.
Bobby Sparkman, the mastermind behind the tour, shared with us how the journey began with 302 vehicles cruising across Texas. Though a few participants encountered mechanical challenges along the way—including one enthusiast who decided that blowing a transmission was the perfect excuse for an upgrade—the spirit of the tour remained undiminished with over 200 hot rods continuing the adventure.
The real discovery of our broadcast was Spindle Tap Brewery itself. Elizabeth Valentine, their Marketing and Events Manager, pulled back the curtain on this nine-year-old establishment that's far more than just a place to grab a craft beer. Sprawling across 3.5 acres, this family-friendly venue offers everything from putt-putt golf to cornhole tournaments, multiple music stages, and enough space to host both corporate events and car shows simultaneously.
What struck us most was how Spindle Tap has created something truly uncommon: a craft brewery where families are welcome at all hours, where award-winning IPAs share space with stouts and lighter options, and where the business model extends beyond beer to include logistics, crating, and warehousing operations. Their distribution now reaches seven states, yet they've maintained that local, hidden gem quality that makes stumbling upon them feel like finding buried treasure.
Whether you're a car enthusiast, a craft beer aficionado, or simply someone looking for a unique place to spend an afternoon, Spindle Tap represents the perfect intersection of Texas hospitality and craftsmanship. Next time you're looking for something off the beaten path, point your hot rod (or family sedan) toward this unexpected oasis where good people, good cars, and good beer come together.
Check out our upcoming broadcasts and subscribe to catch more hidden gems and automotive adventures!
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