Fired up: Barbecue festival moving to Humble

The venue has changed but the game’s the same: smoked meat until you drop.

After several years at NRG Park, the Houston Barbecue Festival is moving its 2018 affair to Humble on Sunday, April 15. According to the organizers, the new location, 20 minutes north of downtown on U.S. 59, offers additional amenities including free parking, restrooms, covered areas in case of inclement weather and more affordable drinks.

“Every year we evaluate how we can make the festival a better experience and value for our guests,” said cofounder and director J.C. Reid, who also writes about barbecue for the Chronicle. “We had a great run at NRG Park but felt it was time for a change.”

Tickets are now available for $50 general admission and $100 VIP admission online at houbbq. com. This is a presale discount price; regular admission is $60 and $120, respectively. All tickets include unlimited sample portions from all participating barbecue joints; VIP tickets include a drink ticket and one hour early admission.

This year’s festival lineup includes four restaurants that ranked in the top 10 of Texas Monthly’s 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas list: Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue in Tomball, CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor and Truth BBQ in Brenham. Other Houstonarea participants: Gatlin’s

BBQ, Killen’s Barbecue, Pinkerton’s Barbecue, The Pit Room and Roegels Barbecue Co.

In addition to these Central Texas-style joints — think peppery brisket — the festival will feature East Texas-style barbecue (Ray’s BBQ Shack and Southern Q); old-school favorites (Pizzitola’s BarB-Cue, Blake’s BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Q and Gerardo’s Drive-In) and celebrated Houston-style barbecue (Blood Bros. BBQ).

The lineup also includes some of the area’s best and most popular joints including the Brisket House, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Jackson Street BBQ, Spring Creek Barbecue, Tin Roof BBQ and Southside Market & BBQ.

Live music and craft beer are other amenities at the Houston Barbecue Festival, which typically sells out. (No tickets will be sold at the gate.)

The Humble Civic Center is at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway.

Robert J. Lerma Louie Mueller Barbecue will again participate in the Houston Barbecue Festival. Last year, it served a croissant topped with beef rib meat.

Robert J. Lerma Greg Gatlin, right, of Gatlin’s BBQ, prepares whole hog at the 2017 Houston Barbecue Festival. The 2018 Houston Barbecue Festival will be held April 15 at the Humble Civic Center.