Thursday, February 11, 2021

Lakewood introducing French Toast Temptress

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has announced the release of French Toast Temptress, the newest addition to the brewery's popular Seduction Series.

“Y’all want some breakfast?” jokes Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “This time of year calls for a decadent beer and French Toast Temptress checks all the boxes. This newest release is slightly sweeter than regular Temptress with extra vanilla and lots of Grade A maple syrup and a hint of cinnamon. It’s the best part of waking up!”

Past entries in the Seduction Series have included Peanut Butter Temptress, Salted Caramel Temptress, Double Chocolate Temptress and Coconut Temptress. In order to create this latest iteration, French Toast Temptress, Lakewood has added maple syrup and other natural flavors to its best-selling Temtpress Imperial Milk Stout.

French Toast Temptress will be available at the Lakewood Taproom starting February 19, with state-wide distribution kicking off the following week.

Lakewood liberates 2020 Bourbon Barrel Temptress

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

After sharing the news its annual December release would be delayed, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has finally tapped the 2020 edition of Bourbon Barrel Temptress (BBT). 

“2020 wasn’t good enough for BBT,” jokes Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “All kidding aside, we wanted to make sure that our beloved BBT was the best it could be and that made us wait for a bit.”

According to a press release, this year's batch of BBT features a blend created with bourbon barrels sourced from Buffalo TraceHeaven HillJim Beam, and Wilderness Trails Distilleries. This blending of different barrels adds complexity and depth to the brewery's dark and sultry Temptress base beer.

As for what's to come in the year ahead, Lakewood has already started work on BBT 2021.

“We saw over 120 bourbon barrels arrive just this week,” adds Bens. “Now it’s time to fill them up and let them happily rest until November.”

BBT 2020 is available now on draft and in 22-ounce commemorative bottles at the Lakewood Taproom. Look for the beer to begin arriving at bars and retailers across Texas this week.

Monday, February 8, 2021

Eleven regional, two grand champions emerge from 2020-21 USBTC winter event

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship

The United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) has announced results from its 27th Annual Winter Competition, and three North Texas breweries are among the winners.

This year's winter event drew 544 entries from 151 breweries, with these beers judged across 19 different style categories. As always, regional winners were chosen in each category during the competition (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest division), then pitted against each other in a final round to determine a national grand champion.

Overall, eleven North Texas beers were named Regional Champion, with two of those going on to be crowned Grand Champion. Top honorees include Lion's Share VIII from Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland, and Iron Thistle from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.

A complete list of winning beers from North Texas is provided below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland

  • Lion's Share VIII, Regional and Grand Champion in the Non-whiskey Aged Beer category.
  • Bourbon Barrel Temptress, Regional Champion in the Whiskey Aged Porter/Stout category
  • The Temptress, Regional Champion in the Imperial Stout category.
  • Lakewood Lager, Regional Champion in the Vienna/Märzen Lager category.
  • Punkel, Regional Champion in the Spice Beer category.
  • Salted Caramel Temptress, Regional Champion in the Experimental Beer category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

  • Bois D'arc, Regional Champion in the Dark Lager/Dunkel category.

  • Iron Thistle, Regional and Grand Champion in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
  • Bourbon Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
  • Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Strong Ale category.
  • Dadgum Coffee IPA, Regional Champion in the Coffee Beer category.


Cheers and congratulations to all!

Monday, February 1, 2021

Deep Ellum releasing Blind Lemon variety pack

Image courtesy of Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas is expanding its Blind Lemon line of hard seltzers by way of a new variety 12-pack set to release this month.

In addition to the original Blind Lemon Hard Seltzer, the variety pack will include three new flavors - Blind Lime, Blind Peach and Blind Berry. Deep Ellum created each new flavor by infusing the Blind Lemon base with "all-new natural flavors you'll love not to hate."

From a press release:

  • Blind Lime: Main squeeze. Pairs perfectly with some Tex-Mex.
  • Blind Peach: Soft & light. You can almost taste the fuzz in the fizz. 
  • Blind Berry: What kind of berry? All the berry.

The new flavors will only be available in twelve-ounce cans found in the variety pack. Look for the pack to be sold at retailers in Texas and Oklahoma.