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At the end of 2020, much of the talk was about how local breweries had persevered through the pandemic. This sentiment even found its way into the title of the 2020 year-in-review article published 12 months ago in this space. Now, a year later, the pandemic itself continues to persevere. Thankfully, though, the industry has soldiered on, with the area brewery count somehow experiencing another year of double-digit growth.
On the subject of national news, one of the most important beer stories of the year surrounded rampant reports of racism, sexism, harassment and discrimination in the brewing industry. What started as a personal Instagram post quickly grew into an industry-wide callout for change. In response, industry groups joined together to create the BRU (Brewing Respect and Unity) Coalition in an effort "to drive industry-wide adoption of evidence-based best practices for preventing discrimination, harassment, and violence within the brewing industry."
As far as things happening here at home in 2021, discussion topics covered herein will go beyond the regular rundown of openings, closings and expansions, to include a few words on the long-overdue rise of female head brewers in North Texas, and notes on the coming wave of 10-year anniversaries taking place at a number of local breweries.
Oh, and there was that whole Yuengling thing, too. Not my cup of tea, but maybe it's yours. Either way, grab a glass, drink what you like and take a minute (or ten) to catch up on all that went down during the 2021 year in beer.
The Business of Beer
- In July, Nine Band Brewing Co. of Allen was purchased by a pair of reality TV personalities who intend to rename it Armor Brewing Co. - a name matching a coffee shop run by the new owners nearby. Readers may remember Nine Band's demise was brought on by misdeeds committed by its former owner.
- By the Horns Brewing of Mansfield will return in some capacity after being acquired by the Local Favorite Restaurants group. The establishment will be reimagined as del Toro Craft Q & Brew (out with the tacos, in with the Q), but a decision is pending on whether the "By the Horns" name will continue to identify the brewing side of the business.
- Judging by minutes published by the Royse City Community Development Corporation, ownership has decided not to move forward with the relocation of Thirsty Bro Brewing. The company ceased production in December 2019, so its closure is considered retroactive to that date.
- All remains quiet concerning Woodcreek Brewing Co., formerly of Rockwall. Said to be on the lookout for a new location, the company's license expired earlier this year and it is now presumed closed as of the final day of operations in June 2020.
Image: Brewers Association. |
Pandemic or not, the North Texas industry roster continued to grow at a rapid pace in 2021. For the fourth year in a row, 14 new breweries opened in the region (that is, firms with a license to brew in North Texas). More surprising, however, was the lack of closures, with only two occurring this past year.
- Brick Streets Brewery, Corsicana.
- Bankhead Brewing (second location), Fort Worth.
- Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery (second location), Farmers Branch.
- Chambers Creek Brewing Co., Maypearl.
- Food Experience Corp., Aubrey.
- Johnson County Distillery, Cleburne.
- Lead Belly Beer Co. at Deep Ellum Distillery, Dallas.
- Lucky Brewing Co., Dublin.
- Neutral Ground Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
- Pizza Americana, Richardson.
- Say When Brewing Co., Denison.
- Second Rodeo Brewing, Fort Worth.
- Siren Rock Brewing Co., Rockwall
- Windmills, The Colony.
- Break Room Brewing Co., Cleburne (contract brewed at Red Caboose Winery in Clifton, Texas).
- Off Main Brewing, Prosper (locally-based, but licensed in Hunt, Texas).
- Fort Brewery & Pizza, Fort Worth.
- On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen, Dallas.
- BrainDead Brewing, Dallas.
- Pizza Americana, Richardson.
- Why not more women?
It was 1869 when Francisca Yetzer, a recent widow and single mother of two, opened and operated a brewery in Dallas. Now, more than 150 years later, we can finally recognize a number of women playing a significant role in the production process at modern breweries in North Texas.
- Sandra DiPretore Murphy, head brewer at Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth.
- Betsi Good, head kombucha brewer at Four Corners Brewing Co. of Dallas.
- Megan Mares, commercial operations manager at Revolver Brewing of Granbury/Arlington.
- Noel Tousignant, lab manager/brewer at Armadillo Ale Works of Denton.
One wonders why it took so long... - Back down the Rabbit Hole
Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin closed its doors in late 2019, but fans of the brewery got a chance to raise a glass of a Rabbit Hole original back in April. The team at Soul Fire Brewing Co. of Roanoke got together with Rabbit Hole co-founder Matt Morriss to revive the recipe for Off With Your Red. It was a limited, draft-only release, but you never know if a similar offering might emerge in the future once Morriss' new project, Three Wide Brewing, gets rolling near Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
- Ten-year anniversaries on tap
In November, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas became the first modern craft era brewery in North Texas (those to open in 2011 or later) to reach its tenth anniversary. It's a rare feat, given less than 8% of all breweries to have ever opened in North Texas (since 1855) have made it to the milestone.
Barring anything unforeseen, six more will reach this point in the coming year: Peticolas Brewing Co. of Dallas, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland, Cedar Creek Brewery of Seven Points, Revolver Brewing of Granbury, Four Corners Brewing Co. of Dallas, and Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth (based on when brewing operations actually began at Zio Carlo Magnolia Brew Pub).
Thinking about the first name on the list of pending celebrants, it's hard to believe 10 years have passed since Velvet Hammer first hit. - Yuengling's highly-heralded arrival in Texas
After what's seemed like years of yearning from local fans, the beers of American's oldest brewery finally landed on shelves in Texas. Recipes originating from the Pennsylvania-based Yuengling Brewery are brewed at Molson Coors in Fort Worth. These include Yuengling Lager, Light Lager, Golden Pilsner and FLIGHT.
- Sad farewells in the service sector: As 2021 comes to a close, raise a glass in memory of the Fort Worth and Lewisville locations of Lone Star Taps & Caps.
- North Texas award winners: Click here to review award-winning beers from 2021, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, San Diego International Beer Competition, United States Beer Tasting Championship, U.S. Open Beer Championship and U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship.
- The 2021 list of Beer in Big D's preferred pours (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed): 3 Nations Switchyard BBA Imperial Golden Stout, Beard Science Black Currant Sour Beer, Brutal Beerworks Into the Void, Celestial On Maple & Inwood, Denton County Rumbustion, False Idol The Wire, Lakewood Double Stuffed Temptress, Oak Cliff Bourbon Barrel Sombre, Odd Muse Perseverance, Peticolas What's New - Dubbel, Rollertown Barrel-Aged Brewser, Tupps/Smittox Black is Beautiful, Vector Moonsmoke, Wild Acre Barrel-Aged Belgian Dark Strong.
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