Cobra preps for first anniversary, signs with Favorite Brands

All images the property of Cobra Brewing Company.

Less than two weeks ahead of their first anniversary, the Cobra Brewing Company of Lewisville has signed with Favorite Brands DFW for distribution of their products throughout North Texas.

Brewery co-founder Neil MacCuish said the decision to enter into the agreement simply stems from a desire to gain more exposure outside of Cobra's home city and "to take the business to the next level." As for Favorite Brands take on the partnership, Social Media/Event Coordinator Samantha LaMantia forwarded the following statement: "We are thrilled to welcome Cobra Brewing Company into the Favorite Brands family! Their evolving beer list is an exciting addition to our portfolio. As this is our first brewery within the DFW Metroplex, we regard the addition as a significant progression for our company. We cannot wait to share a glass of Cobra beer with DFW...and the rest of Texas."

Cobra is replacing their rustic, wooden tap handles with a more distinctive design.

Favorite Brands' initial deliveries will be to draft accounts, with kegs of Hoppy Dazed IPA, Best Mistake Stout and Dawn of the Dank expected to roll out before the end of the year. Part of the plan includes the introduction of a new tap handle intended to replace the rustic, wooden design currently being used by the brewery. Shown in the image above, the new handle will stand nearly a foot tall. This, along with its distinctive look, should allow it to stand out and make it easier to identify Cobra brews on tap in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Dawn of the Dank, incidentally, will be released with a slightly new formulation designed to increase the ABV of the Imperial IPA from 8.5 to 10.5%. That beer, along with Best Mistake Stout and the seasonal Angry Leprechaun, will also find its way into 22-ounce bombers targeted to arrive at retail in the February to March time frame. Other beers will follow based on demand and production needs.

Preliminary bottle label designs for Cobra bombers.

Leading up to all of this, Cobra will upgrade their brew kettle and add more fermenters to boost supply. The upgrades will double the brewery's current capacity and enable them to brew 10-barrel batches. This, MacCuish notes, was a necessary move if for no other reason than the fact that they've already sold the beer currently in production.

Cobra will hold an anniversary celebration at the brewery on Saturday, December 20 at 1 p.m. At least eleven beers will be on tap, including a Hazelnut Coffee Porter and rum barrel-aged editions of Hoppy Dazed IPA and Nitemare Before Xmas (these last two beers will be VIP only). MacCuish is also working to install a new nitro tap in time for the festivities, something that'll be used to dispense either Best Mistake Stout or Cobra's Old Town Pale Ale. The main attraction, though, will likely be an anniversary brew called The Kitchen Sink. This Imperial stout boasts an ABV of between 13-14%, and is brewed with vanilla beans and cocoa nibs soaked in bourbon from the neighboring Witherspoon Distillery.

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance via Eventbrite. A VIP option gets you early entry, exclusive access to barrel-aged beers and special glassware. There will be vendors on site, including Union Growler and Junior's Lone Star Sauce, along with live music from The Whiskey Prophets and The Rhythm & Beards. Check the brewery's Facebook page for updates and additional details.