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| Photos: Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D. |
Some dreams take a little longer to be realized than others, and that is certainly the case with Smittox Brewing Co., which is set to become the area's first fully black-owned brewery once it officially opens next week at 930 E. Clarendon Dr. in Dallas.
Founded by Kuumba "Smitty" Smith, the Smittox name has been known to the industry since the company's inception in 1998. That same year, the brewery's recipe for Short Order Porter, an imperial breakfast porter infused with coffee, maple syrup, cacao nibs and hazelnut, won the Riverside Shootout Homebrew Competition at Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
After the success of the event, Smith began searching for a place to set up shop. Collin County was the original target, but by January 2023, Smith had signed a lease on the Clarendon space in Dallas, which was then approved for a brewpub license the following April. From that point on, it's been a matter of navigating a number of hurdles that managed to get in the way.
Smith, though, wasn't one to rest on his laurels. While working to bring the brewery to fruition, he kept the Smittox name front and center by way of collaborations with other breweries. And, we're not just talking about an occasional collab here and there. In fact, since 2018, well over 40 beers (representing nearly 20 different styles) bearing the Smittox name have been produced at 30 breweries or more, both in and outside of Texas.
Now that Smith finally has a brewery of his own, Smittox recipes will be brewed on a 7-bbl system using hardware acquired from Dallas-based White Rock Brewing Co.'s original "Alehouse" location. A 12-handle tapwall will pour stylistic offerings initially, examples of which included a Kölsch, an American pale ale, a stout and a hazy IPA during a preview event this week.
Then, there was the porter, which may best represent how Smith is going about this whole brewery business. Fans familiar with Smittox and its history may be hoping for Short Order Porter to be on tap at the outset, but for now Outta Order Porter, a straightforward American porter, is on the menu.
On that note, according to Smith, the plan is to get things locked down from a foundational point of view while learning the ins and outs of his setup. In other words, he wants to make sure his base beers are spot on before adding more exotic flavor ingredients.
As for the atmosphere at Smittox, there's a foundational element to that aspect of the brewery as well. For the time being at least, taproom distractions are at a minimum. Whether you sit inside or out on the covered patio, the taproom experience encourages conversation and connection in an environment open to all.
Core values, if you will, and a welcome reminder of what this craft beer and community thing is all about. And it seems quite appropriate, considering the spirit of support and collaboration within the community of craft brewers helped play a part in getting the area's newest brewery off the ground.
Smittox Brewing Co. is located just northeast of the Dallas Zoo. Note, parking spots adjacent to the brewery are limited, but patrons may also park at East Dock, a multi-purpose shopping and entertainment destination across the street to the south.
