Monday, February 10, 2025

Operational changes in store for Revolver

Image © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D..

Industry chatter circulating on Monday morning suggested changes were in the works at Revolver Brewing of Granbury. Recall that Tilray Brands, a global lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company based out of New York, purchased the brewery (and others) from Molson Coors in September. This led some to speculate that operations at Revolver might be subject to consolidation down the road.

And yes, that is indeed the case, at least to some degree. While large-scale brewing will no longer take place in Granbury, the site will still function in other capacities. What remains to be learned is what this all means for the Revolver Brewhouse in Arlington.

From Tilray Brands:

"As the Tilray Beverages business continues to evolve and transform, we have undertaken a reallocation of resources to enhance efficiency and leverage synergies. As such, large-scale production will transition from the Revolver Brewing facility to other brewing locations. The Revolver Brewing facility will continue to operate, focusing on unique and innovative brews, and the taproom will remain open.

We are grateful for our employees’ commitment and are confident these adjustments will enhance customer experience and ensure our long-term success."

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Oak Highlands extends streaks at 2025 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credit: Oak Highlands Brewery.

Results have been announced at the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC), which completed its 31st Annual Winter Competition this weekend.

A total of 550 beers were submitted for evaluation across 20 different categories at this year's event, with entries arriving from 176 breweries located across the country. Regional Champions were determined in 7 separate U.S. regions, then those beers were judged side-by-side to determine a Grand Champion in each style category.

North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest Region, and it's notable the only area honoree, Oak Highlands Brewery, has continued to place at USBTC gatherings since 2016 - the year after the Dallas-based brewery opened. As for the company's winning recipes for 2025, Devil's Snare and Vanilla Porter have both been Regional Champions at the USBTC for three years in a row.

For more on the 2025 USBTC Winter Competition, click here to visit the official competition website.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas
  • Bourbon Barrel Chump Change, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
  • Devil's Snare, Regional Champion in the Porter category.
  • Bois D'arc, Regional Champion in the Dark Czech Lager category.
  • Vanilla Porter, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Saturday, February 8, 2025

North Texas reaches new heights at 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Cup

Image credit: Texas Craft Brewers Guild.

Earlier tonight in Austin, winners were announced at the 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, an annual event presented by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. It was another strong showing for North Texas beer-makers, as 11 area breweries secured medals honoring 21 locally-made beers. That number, incidentally, beats the area's best ever count of 20 medals in 2022.

In addition, for three years running now, a North Texas purveyor of pints was named Brewery of the Year. This time it was False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills in the Over 620 bbl Group - congrats to the Wolf Pack!

Completing its fourth year, the Texas Craft Brewers Cup is designed to "showcase the outstanding quality and variety of Texas craft beer and the brewers that make them." For the 2025 edition, 162 Texas breweries submitted 931 entries sorted into 30 different categories. Those beers were then judged against style guidelines published by either the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) or the Brewers Association as created for the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).

Notable statistics:

  • Just over 35% of active Texas breweries competed (162 down from 170 in 2024).
  • Medals were awarded to a total of 55 Texas breweries - 20% of those being from North Texas.
  • North Texas medal count: 8 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze.

A list of winning beers from North Texas and the breweries behind them is provided below. For more on the Texas Brewers Cup, click here for a full competition summary.

3 Nations Brewing Co., Carrollton
  • Devour - Mexican Chocolate, Silver in the Chocolate & Coffee category.
Celestial Beerworks, Dallas
  • Ube Piña Colada Tropic, Silver in the Pastry/Dessert/Puree, a.k.a. Decadent Beers category.
  • Stellar Remnants, Bronze in the Hazy IPA category.
  • Dreamhack, Bronze in the Fruit & Field Beer category.
False Idol Brewing, North Richland Hills
  • Hollowveil, Gold in the Pastry/Dessert/Puree, a.k.a. Decadent Beers category.
  • The True One, Gold in the Brett & Mixed Culture category.
  • Squirtle Squad, Gold in the Belgian & Farmhouse Ales category.
  • Let it Rip, Silver in the Belgian & Farmhouse Ales category.
  • Life of an Outlaw, Silver in the American IPA category.
Jaquval, Dallas
  • Abbey Normal, Bronze in the Belgian Abbey Ales category.
  • Battle of Britain, Gold in the Barleywine & Strong Ale category.
  • Paradise Porter, Gold in the Fruit & Field Beer category.
  • Tropical Nuke Juice, Gold in the American & European Sour category.
  • Imperial Texan, Silver in the Barleywine & Strong Ale category.
Odd Muse Brewing, Farmers Branch 
  • Unified Dry-Hopped French Saison, Gold in the Legislative Pro-Am category.
  • Graveyard Ghosts, Silver in the Amber & Dark Beers category.
  • Eyes Never Lie, Bronze in the Strong Hoppy Beer category.
On Rotation, Dallas
  • Jalapeño Saison, Silver in the Smoke & Chili Beer category.
Three Wide Brewing Co., Fort Worth
  • Off With Your Red, Bronze in the Specialty Hoppy category.
  • Mexican Lager, Gold in the American & International Pilsner category.
  • Bullpen, Silver in the American & International Lager category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Friday, February 7, 2025

Cidercades of North Texas now serving Wild Acre beer

Image credit: Bishop Cider Co.

A selection of Wild Acre beers is now being served at all North Texas locations of Bishop Cidercade.

Previously, ciders produced by Bishop Cider Co. of Dallas, the parent company of Cidercade and Wild Acre Restaurant & Beer Garden, had been the primary beverage option at Cidercade. The reason being a need to acquire different licensing in order to offer beer from the company's brewery at Wild Acre in Fort Worth.

After applications were made, license approvals came in one-by-one, with Cidercade Arlington begin the first to pour Wild Acre beer in mid-January, followed by Cidercade Dallas going online at the end of the month. Then, just this week, Cidercade Fort Worth got the go-ahead as well.

As for what's on tap, area Cidercades are stocking the following Wild Acre products: Bock Bock, Sundance Wheat, Texas Blonde and Wild Acre IPA.