Thursday, November 30, 2017

Tupps signs distribution deal with Ben E. Keith

Image credit: Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery of McKinney has entered into an agreement with Ben E. Keith Beverages for the distribution of its products in and around North Texas.

"To be successful in the beer business you have to, first and foremost, make great beer," says Chase Lewis, vice president of sales at Tupps. "Second, you have to present yourself well to the market. Last, but very far from least, you have to manage the distribution of your product very well. It's an incredibly difficult and important part of this industry, and Ben E. Keith has been distributing beer in North Texas with excellence for decades. We couldn't be happier to be partnering with such a strong and supportive company."

The brewery had self-distributed its beers since opening in May 2015, but growth on the order of 400% in total volume over the first year signaled a need to explore other options. Lewis believes the partnership will help propel Tupps to the next level in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as it will allow the company focus on beer, branding and building stronger relationships in the market. 

"Tupps has done an extraordinary job brewing a portfolio of great beers, while establishing their brands and brewery in Texas, and we are excited and honored to be chosen as their distributor," says Steve Olkewicz, business development manager at Ben E. Keith. "The Tupps approach to business, marketing, innovation and high quality beer provides us with a great foundation for a successful partnership. We look forward to the opportunity to have the Tupps brands in our portfolio, and are eager to continue the expansion of their brands in our markets."

According to a press release, Ben E. Keith will begin delivering Tupps products to accounts on December 1. Counties covered by the agreement include Archer, Baylor, Bell, Bosque, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Jack, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, McLennan, Milam, Montague, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Titus, Van Zandt, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, Wood and Young.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - November 14, 2017 edition

In this, the first edition of the Conspectus since the close of NTX Beer Week, new beers and a brewpub-to-be make an appearance, as does a bit of distro news from out of Fort Worth. Additionally, one Dallas brewery provides consumers with an early look at its 2018 lineup.

Cheers!


The beers of Beer Week


In case you missed it, a number of beers were released during the aforementioned NTX Beer Week. The list of new brews includes 2017 Braindead Hammer of the Gods and Bent de Garde (to-go bottles, sold at the brewery), 2017 Community Barrel-Aged Legion (retail four-packs), Hemisphere Black Sacrament (draft, brewery only), Lakewood Cuvée de Vélo (on-premise bottles, sold at the brewery), Noble Rey Eagle Tears (to-go cans, sold at the brewery) and Texas Ale Project Blood IPA (draft accounts).


Small Brewpub debuts first bottled beer

For the first time in its three-year history, Small Brewpub of Dallas has bottled one of its beers for take home sales. Lord of the Beers is a concoction inspired by Lord of the Pies, an apple pie made by Small Brewpub's fellow Oak Cliff establishment, Emporium Pies. Fermented with spiced granny smith apples provided by Emporium, Lord of the Beers is an English strong ale that's been aged in rye whiskey barrels.


White Rock Alehouse & Brewery obtains TABC approval

White Rock Alehouse & Brewery is now an officially licensed entity, after its permit was approved last week by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The brewpub has yet to announce an opening date, but it will be situated in a retail development at 7331 Gaston Ave. in Dallas (that's just across the road from On Rotation). White Rock owners Dave Kirk and Greg Nixon have hired Blake Morrison, formerly of Cedar Creek Brewery and Whistle Post Brewing Co., to head up brewing operations.


Collective headed to Cali

The Collective Brewing Project of Fort Worth has announced its intent to begin distribution to California. To that end, the company has signed on with Lime Ventures, a wholesaler based in Concord. In a blog posted to the brewery's website, co-founder and California native, Ryan Deyo, discusses how the move will now allow him to send his beers to family and friends back home. Initial shipments to The Golden State are expected to occur in December.


Deep Ellum unveils 2018 production schedule

Looking ahead to next year, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas has published its production schedule for 2018. In addition to the return of Oak Cliff Coffee Ale and the release of Play Date in cans, the lineup includes new barrel-aged offerings (Bellman's Bride, Vinous Ado), plus the first beers in the Deep Ellum Barrelhouse series (Farmhouse Ale, Sour Red Ale). More on those beers, and others, can be found by expanding the image to the right, where you can see the complete list of expected releases.


Shannon offers up something Mór

Shannon Brewing Co. of Keller has launched Mór IPA, a beer whose name is derived from the Irish word for "big." Along those lines, the beer is said to be "a big celebration of aromatic hops," with hop varieties such as Warrior, Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo being used in its creation. Mór IPA is a year-round beer, set to be available on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans.




Image credits (top to bottom): NTX Beer Week, Small Brewpub, White Rock Alehouse & Brewery, The Collective Brewing Project, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Shannon Brewing Co.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Hop & Sting begins production in Farmers Branch

Images courtesy of Hop & Sting Brewing Co.

Looking to get the company's first commercial beer into the hands of consumers by the end of the month, Hop & Sting Brewing Co. has begun production, with the inaugural brew day in the books as of November 3.

As previously reported, Hop & Sting founders Brian Burton and Jon Powell will launch their brand while operating under an alternating proprietorship agreement with 3 Nations Brewing Co. in Farmers Branch. The move allows Hop & Sting to brew at an established facility while continuing to look for a permanent location for its future brewpub.

“It has been a long road starting Hop and Sting Brewing Co.," says Burton. "We still have a long way to go to get our own facility, but we are excited to get brewing now.”
Galactic Haze IPA features a mix of Ariana, Ekuanot and Mosaic hops.
The first beer to emerge from the fermenters will be a white IPA called Galactic Haze (7.2% ABV, 45 IBU). Beyond that, consumers can expect Hop & Sting's initial line of offerings to include a witbier, infused with lavender and sage, and a Belgian-style dubbel, brewed with ancho and chipotle chili peppers.

“Our main focus is on the beer and making it the best we know how," adds Powell. "Sharing a facility allows us to focus on our product and our customers, the way craft brewing is suppose to be!”

Regarding distribution, the company's beers will be available on draft and in cans. It should be noted, however, that due to certain regulations, Hop & Sting-branded beers will not be served in 3 Nations' taproom. Despite that, visitors to the brewery can still get a taste of what Hop & Sting is all about, by way of beers brewed in collaboration with 3 Nations that are expected to be tapped on a regular basis.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Texas Ale Project adding more West Texas markets

Image credit: Texas Ale Project.

Continuing on a course of expansion that began earlier this year, Texas Ale Project of Dallas has signed with Reed Beverage Inc. for the delivery of its products to a variety of new West Texas markets.

“We are excited to introduce Texas Ale Project to our customers and to work with a family-owned company who takes pride in what they do,” says Reed's Vice President of Craft, Wine and Liquor, Damion Williams. “Reed Beverage is a proud supporter of Texas craft breweries and looks forward to a long-lasting relationship with Texas Ale Project.”

According to a press release, the two companies believe Reed's quest to provide a culture of creativity and innovation for its customers is something that aligns well with Texas Ale Project's dedication to handcrafting thoughtfully-brewed, well-balanced beer for Texans.

 “We’re eager to partner with the Reed family to bring Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale and 50Ft. Jackrabbit IPA, among others, into the greater West Texas region, and to offer craft beer lovers the beer experience we’ve been bringing to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 3 years now,” says Texas Ale Project’s Founder and CEO, Kat Thompson. “Since we first opened our doors in the Dallas Design District three years ago, we wanted to expand the availability of our beers by partnering with top notch distributors throughout Texas. We’re excited to continue fulfilling that goal now with Reed Beverage distributing our beers in areas of West Texas."

Reed is expected to serve markets in and around Abilene and Amarillo (where the company is based), with an overall distribution footprint to include Briscoe, Haskell and Wheeler Counties.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Shannon Brewing regains D-FW distribution rights

Image credit: Shannon Brewing Co.

Shannon Brewing Co. (SBC) of Keller has announced the re-acquisition of its distribution rights in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

In March of 2016, SBC signed an agreement with Andrews Distributing for the delivery of its products to the local market. However, the brewery's desire to expand its portfolio to include a range of "new and fun beers," coupled with the speed at which these products were being introduced, presented a challenge. As a result, the two companies have mutually decided to end their relationship, effective November 1.

 “Andrews is great at what they do," says Shannon Carter, president of SBC. "They helped introduce the brewery to several accounts and did a good job of marketing our brand. At the end of the day, though, our brewery is growing in a way that doesn’t take advantage of Andrews’ scale and efficiencies. We simply want to be in control of our own brand and product introduction schedule."

According to a press release, SBC's products may now be ordered for delivery directly from the brewery, which means the company's entire portfolio can be carried by any licensed retailer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.



For more information or to order beer from SBC, visit the Wholesale Orders section of the brewery's website.