Monday, July 23, 2018

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - July 23, 2018 edition

Updates on new and renewed brewing operations in Dallas and Denton headline this edition of the Conspectus, with a look at upcoming operations out west on the agenda as well.

Cheers!


Barley & Board back to brewing in Denton

Idle since early 2016, brewing operations have re-started at Barley & Board of Denton. House beers will be tapped monthly as part of the brewpub's Home Brewers League, an initiative that gives local homebrewers the chance to brew a commercial batch. Barley & Board supplies ingredients for the collaborative effort, while local hobbyists are charged with making the beer. The beer for August is a French saison by Brian Tiensvold. It follows Cole Haley's black IPA, which kicked things off in July.


Steam Theory debuts in Trinity Groves

After roughly four years in development, Steam Theory Brewing Co. is now up and running in Trinity Groves. The brewpub is currently serving culinary offerings from a summer dinner menu alongside a selection of guest beers. House brews are said to be in the works, presumably ready in time for Steam Theory's official grand opening on August 25.


Cans coming from Manhattan Project

Packaged products are on the way from Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas. Set to arrive at retail in September, the brewery will can its three core beers - Half-Life, Hoppenheimer and Plutonium-239, and a seasonal pilsner - Necessary Evil. As for when Manhattan Project's taproom will open at 215 Sulphur St., look for that to occur sometime in Q1 2019.


Celestial receives TABC approval, introduces Space Camp

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has issued a brewpub license for Celestial Beerworks of Dallas. Currently under construction at 2530 Butler St., owner Matt Reynolds is targeting an early fall opening. The company has also introduced Space Camp, a membership program that provides consumers with one free crowler of beer per month, along with swag, taproom discounts and first access to special releases (click here for more information).


Edgewise Wight launches crowdfunding campaign

Looking to raise funds for a brewpub to be located in Weatherford, Edgewise Eight Brewing has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The company has set an open-ended goal of $5000, with funds earmarked for amenities and other items that will help make Edgewise Eight "the most inviting place to go in Weatherford."


Soul Fire begins work on building in Roanoke

Demolition has begun on a space to be occupied by Soul Fire Brewing Co. in Roanoke. In addition to housing the brewery's production equipment and a taproom, plans for the building at 206 N. Oak St. include facilities for live music and a food hall.




Image credits (top to bottom): Barley & Board, Steam Theory Brewing Co., Manhattan Project Beer Co., Celestial Beerworks, Edgewise Eight Brewing, Soul Fire Brewing Co.


Sunday, July 22, 2018

Shannon Brewing to be featured on History Channel series - Blood Money

Image credit: The History Channel.

Shannon Brewing Co. of Keller has been chosen as one of businesses to be featured on Blood Money, a new series set to debut on The History Channel.

From a press release:

"America is at a crossroads. This country was built on the backs of industrious men and women who started their own businesses. And while family businesses have moved wealth and the value of hard work from one generation to the next, many fear that millennials of today don’t have the kind of work ethic that will take their family business through this century. Chris Parvin, a family estate planner, has seen it all. So, he’s headed out across this nation to help see if the kids of today have what it takes to take over the family business tomorrow. With money, promotions, and stakes in the company on the line, this is no game. Chris will help these business owners put their children to the test and see if they have what it takes to earn their family’s Blood Money."

The episode filmed at Shannon focuses on Trevor Ritcheson, whose father Craig owns a beer distribution business. In order to learn about the industry from a brewer's perspective, Trevor works at the brewery during the summer. He is tasked with helping to get beer brewed and out to market and is personally involved in every step of the process, from brewing and fermentation to packaging and final delivery.

Does Trevor have what it takes to take over his father’s beer distribution business? Find out on Blood Money with Shannon Brewing, airing Monday, August 6 at 9 p.m.


Monday, July 9, 2018

Peticolas named top brewery as North Texas shines at 2018 U.S. Open

Image credit: 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship.

Winners from the 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship were announced last night, with North Texas brewers literally one-upping last year's performance at the event. This year locals landed 14 medals, which represents a gain of one compared to the 13 prizes awarded to area breweries in 2017.

More than 6300 beers were judged at the 2018 competition, with entries split into 117 different categories. From that pool, eight local breweries were recognized for their beers, including one which garnered the U.S. Open's top overall prize. That accolade went to Peticolas Brewing Co. of Dallas, who brought home the title of Grand National Champion, a.k.a. Top Brewery of 2018, after winning a total of five medals (three gold, two silver).

A summary of all North Texas honorees is provided below, with a complete list of medalists to be found by clicking here.


903 Brewers
  • Silver for Sasquatch in the American Imperial Stout Non-Traditional (coffee, maple, chocolate, etc.) category.
  • Silver for Feisty Blonde in the Specialty/Anything Goes category.
Lakewood Brewing Co.
  • Silver for Sin Mint Temptress in the Experimental Beer category.
  • Bronze for Lion's Share IV in the Wood/Barrel-Aged Quad category.
Martin House Brewing Co.
  • Bronze for True Love in the Fruit Gose category.
  • Gold for Tejano Pecano in the Specialty/Anything Goes category.
  • Silver for Freaky Deaky in the Belgian Tripel category.
  • Gold for Black Curtains in the American Imperial Stout category.
  • Gold for Great Scot in the Scottish Ale category.
  • Gold for Velvet Hammer in the Imperial Red Ale category.
  • Silver for Royal Scandal in the English Pale Ale category.
  • Silver for Sledge Hammer in the American Barley Wine category.
  • Bronze for 10/6 in the English Pale Ale category. 
  • Gold for Iron Joe in the Coffee Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Monday, July 2, 2018

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - July 2, 2018 edition

Image credits: Siren Rock Brewing Co., False Idol Brewing, Pathfinder Brewery.


This edition of the Conspectus features updates on a number of new names to the North Texas scene, including two that readers may be hearing about for the first time.

Cheers!


Outfit obtains TABC approval, targeting late summer opening

In late May, a brewpub license was issued for Outfit Brewing by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Set to be located at 7135 John Carpenter Freeway in Dallas, owner Jordan Young is targeting mid-August for the brewery's debut. Upwards of eight beers will be on tap for the event, with a Belgian-style blonde ale, a saison, a citra-forward IPA and a red IPA expected to be part of the lineup. Also being considered for opening day are recipes for an additional IPA (or two), a lager and a kölsch.


Krootz Brewing under construction in Gainesville

Residents in Cooke County should take note that an entity to be known as Krootz Brewing Co. has filed an application for a brewpub license with the TABC. Currently under construction at 315 W. Elm St. in Gainesville, CEO Chad Sykora hopes to open the doors of the brewpub-to-be in a few months. Due diligence and the build-out are the primary focus of the company right now (social media and a website are pending), according to Sykora, who says Krootz will serve food from a limited menu alongside a portfolio of small-batch brews.


False Idol scouting locations, plans to contract brew

A name just recently appearing on the scene, False Idol Brewing is a new project in development for North Texas. The group is still looking to nail down a location, preferably in a city that doesn't already have a brewery, which means the opening of a brick and mortar location is probably a year away. That said, founder Dominique Van Ausdall intends to pursue a contract agreement with a local brewery in order to get False Idol products on the market by the end of the year.


Pathfinder breaks ground in Hudson Oaks

It's been over a year since Pathfinder Brewery first announced its intention to build a facility from the ground up in the Parker County community of Hudson Oaks. Progress has been slow, but it appears things are moving along now that ground has been broken on the project's site off Cinema Dr., just north of City Lights Theatre. For a look at how things are shaping up so far, cllick here to see a short video showing the current state of construction.


Siren Rock moving forward in Rockwall

Earlier this month, the Rockwall City Council voted to amend its municipal code to allow a brewery to exist in the city's downtown district. That means Siren Rock Brewing Co. can advance to the next step in the development process, which involves getting a special use permit approved. Along those lines, founders Cory and Eva Cannon are working with the city on a site plan specific to their location off S. Goliad St. near Rockwall's Historic Downtown Square.