Texas Ale Project closing brewery in Dallas

Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Another of the area's longest running breweries has announced it will close, as Texas Ale Project is set to shut down in Dallas.

Texas Ale Project entered the market in late 2014, after being founded by Brent and Kat Thompson, along with Kat's father, David Stevens. The company's facility was built from the ground up, being the first such new construction in the City of Dallas since before Prohibition.

Popular beers in the brewery's portfolio included 50 Ft. Jackrabbit IPA, 100 Million Angels Singing Double IPA and The Caucasian White Russian Imperial Stout. They even partnered with the local and legendary metal band, Pantera, to produce a line of beers back in 2020. The mainstay, though, over the course of the brewery's nearly 12-year run was Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale.

From a social media post:

"After more than a decade of brewing beer, building community, and creating memories, we have decided to close Texas Ale Project.

Since opening our doors in 2014, our mission has always been about more than beer. It has been about bringing people together and building enjoyment. What started as a dream became a gathering place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, ideas were shared, and countless pints were raised among family, neighbors, and strangers who quickly became friends.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey of sharing our beers across Texas and nationally. To our customers, distributors, retail partners, vendors, musicians, food trucks, and the many dedicated team members who have poured their passion into Texas Ale Project over the years, thank you. Your support, loyalty, and belief in us made everything possible over the last 12 years.

We are especially thankful for the friendships and connections we've made along the way. While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re embarking on new ones, and the memories we've created together will last far beyond our final pour. We look back in awe of the support we had and with sincere appreciation for everyone who helped make Texas Ale Project what it became.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting us since 2014. Thank you for every visit, every conversation, every celebration, and every beer shared."

The taproom at Texas Ale Project will remain open until the final day of business on Saturday August 8.

Ivanhoe Ale Works closing brewing in Denison

Image credit: Ivanhoe Ale Works.

Ivanhoe Ale Works has announced the pending closure of its brewery in Denison.

Founded in 2015 by Gabe and Barbara Parker, Ivanhoe Ale Works got its name from the location of the couple's 100-year-old family farm in Ivanhoe, Texas. There in 1989, the Parker's debuted their original venture, Homestead Winery, with a tasting room in Denison opening in 1998. The brewery was then built adjacent to Homestead in Denison's downtown district, effectively creating the first brew-winery in the State of Texas.

From a social media post:

"Hey y'all ~ we have some sad news…we are officially preparing to close our doors at Ivanhoe Ale Works. Our final closing date is still TBD, but we are preparing to wind down operations.

Gabe started Ivanhoe Ale Works with a dream and a burning passion to be the first Brew-Winery in Texas, and we remain proud of all his gumption and work, but it's time to refocus our vision. Thank you for supporting local beer, and for the memories you have created for our family."

The winery's location in Denison will close as well, with operations being moved back home to Ivanhoe. As for Ivanhoe's head brewer, Bryan Thomas (who arrived in late 2023), he is working to open his own space to be called Thomboys Brewing Co. in Van Alstyne - news previously shared here in June.

On Cowtown's taproom takeover in Roanoke

The tapwall at CBC Taproom in Roanoke (Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Late last year, news began to circulate regarding the division of Soul Fire Brewing Co. into two separate entities. Indications at the time suggested the original Roanoke location would be moving to a new site (still pending?), with the Cleburne satellite continuing on independently. Shortly thereafter, the ownership group behind The 206, the food hall Soul Fire called home since debuting in 2019, renamed the Roanoke space at 206 N. Oak St. to The 206 Brewery & Bar.

The 206 Brewery operated under that moniker for a number of months, serving primarily guest beers, though one or two house beers made an appearance on its tapwall as well. Though, as it turns out, one of the breweries supplying guest beers was apparently preparing to take over the space.

With that, Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth has been managing the taproom at The 206 since early May. And it's a full tap takeover beer-wise, with Cowtown recipes pouring from 14 of the facility's 20 available taps. Guest ciders and wine are also offered, and a full bar remains stocked for those preferring cocktails.

As for whether Cowtown intends to make use of the brewing hardware left behind by Soul Fire, according to the beertender, brewers are currently training at Cowtown's homebase in Fort Worth, with plans to potentially resume brewing operations in Roanoke later this year.

Cowtown Brewing Co. - Roanoke, also known as the CBC Tap Room, serves patrons Tuesday-Sunday, with operating hours beginning at 11 a.m.

North Texas continues its winning ways at 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship

Image credit: U.S. Open Beer Championship.

Following up back-to-back record-setting runs in 2024 and 2025, North Texas showed up once again at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship, with area breweries winning 19 awards at this year's event.

For the 2026 edition of the competition, submissions were judged against guidelines covering more than 180 categories and subcategories. From those entries, 11 North Texas breweries emerged among the winners, bringing home 8 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals.

All but one recognized brewery represents a repeat winner at the U.S. Open, with Flix Brewhouse - Frisco/Little Elm being the lone honoree to appear for the first time.

A complete list of winning beers from North Texas is provided below. Click here for a full competition summary.

Armor Brewing Co., Allen

• Gold for Sentinel in the Kellerbier or Zwickelbier category.

Bankhead Brewpub, Rowlett

• Gold for Low Beams in the American Premium Lager category.

False Idol Brewing, North Richland Hills

• Silver for Tyrant Reign in the Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Extreme category.
• Bronze for 2 Live & Die in LA in the New Zealand IPA category.
• Bronze for Snacks of the Titans in the Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty category.

Flix Brewhouse, Frisco/Little Elm

• Gold for Cumbersome Blonde in the Field Beer category.

Flix Brewhouse, Mansfield

• Gold for Over the Moon in the Fruit Wheat Beer category.

Maple Branch Craft Brewery, Fort Worth

• Gold for Raspberry Fields in the American-Style Fruit Beer category.
• Bronze for Romanov's Revenge in the Stout category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Gold for Charity in the German Altbier category.
• Bronze for BBA Vanilla Porter with Tart Cherries in the Wood/Barrel-Aged Fruit Beer category.

Odd Muse Brewing Co., Farmers Branch

• Silver for 500 Pesos in the Mexican-Style Light Lager category.
• Silver for La Lucha in the Mexican-Style Dark Lager category.
• Bronze for Playground Battle in the Other Kettle Sour category.

Peticolas Brewing Co., Dallas

• Silver for Royal Scandal in the English Pale Ale category.
• Bronze for Velvet Hammer in the Imperial Red Ale category.

Three Wide Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Gold for Harlequin Dancer in the English Pale Ale category.
• Silver for High Groove in the Near Gluten Free/Gluten Reduced category.

Turning Point Beer, Bedford

• Gold for Edwin in the Foeder- and Cask-Aged Beers category. 

Cheers and congratulations to all!