All images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D. |
Edgewise Eight Brewing first began brewing its brand of beer for distribution in late 2018. For two years, the company created batches at a production-only facility in Weatherford, with deliveries limited to accounts local to the brewery.
In December, founders Barney, Clifton and Colt Ellis - a father and his two sons - made the move to a permanent home in the city's downtown district. Located at 221 N. Main St., Edgewise Eight now occupies a 7500 square foot structure sitting two blocks away from the Weatherford Town Square.
Within the building's walls you'll find all the makings of a small-town craft beer destination. In what amounts to an all-in-one, single room setup, seating areas anchor the space, with a small-batch brewhouse and fermenters installed in one corner, and an on-site food trailer residing in another.
Edgewise Eight and The Grove come together to comprise the "Brewpub & Eatery" at 221 N. Main in Weatherford. |
In fact, as further evidenced by exterior signage (out of view in the above image), Edgewise Eight bills itself as a "Brewpub & Eatery." Pub grub is provided by The Grove, quite literally by way of a hollowed-out and retrofitted Airstream travel trailer. Daily dining options include starters, sandwiches, street tacos and sausages.
As for the beer, the brewery's portfolio builds off a set of award-winning recipes from homebrew competition entries dating back to 2016. Offerings lean towards stylistic selections, with the menu on the day of my visit featuring a blonde, a brown and a porter, along with an IPA and an Irish red.
A flight through the final four mentioned showed each to be spot-on to style. The IPA was bold, bright and refreshing, with an almost ideal moniker, Fit of Sanity. Reason being, this IPA is to be enjoyed in its simplicity, the beer and its presentation not being bogged down with this coast or that coast care-abouts, or whatever hype-driven hop is currently the name-drop of the day.
My personal favorite, though, was First of His Name. This dark and roasty porter effused elements of chocolate and coffee, while finishing with a hint of black patent malt bitterness. Here again, with no additives other than oats, the beer was yet another straightforward and tasty take on a classic.
The brewpub's spacious seating area is flanked by a production area upfront, and the food trailer in back. |
Foundational brews such as these set the stage for further exploits at Edgewise Eight. Beyond the present range of American styles, the brewery has tapped Belgian and German beers as well, while also exploring the sour realm. In addition, a run of fruit beers is set to be crafted to coincide with the annual Parker County peach harvest.
So how best to describe Edgewise Eight as a whole? Let's call it a one-stop shop for good beer and good food, all brought together in a friendly and relaxing downtown setting.
Moreover, it's a great place to go if you're looking to get away from it all, and by that I mean the daily grind of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Sure, Edgewise Eight may be a bit off the beaten path in Weatherford, but the brewery would seem to be worth a visit should you find yourself exploring the far western edge of our North Texas craft beer frontier.
Historical note: Edgewise Eight is the first modern brewery call Weatherford home. Current research shows at least four brewing operations were established in the town prior to Prohibition, existing at various times between 1867 and 1879.