Uptown Rail now slinging beers in Sanger

Image © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

The City of Sanger now has a craft beer destination all its own, as Uptown Rail Brewery is open and operating in the town's historic downtown district at 204 Bolivar St.

Todd and Vanessa Benson form the husband-and-wife team behind Uptown Rail, which occupies a 7,500 square foot spot dating back to 1903. Within these confines, the couple has established a bright, open and inviting brewery and taproom outfitted with pool tables, widescreen TVs, and a stage for live music.

Adjacent to the taproom build-out is an additional space dedicated to Uptown Rail's on-site kitchen. Here, they prepare a menu of appetizers (including wings), fresh salads, and brick oven pizzas. Order full pies with either a thin or hand-tossed crust, or choose a cheese or classic pepperoni slice for snacking.

On what there is to wash things down with, Uptown Rail pours beer from a 36-handle tapwall. House beers currently occupy a dozen taps, with those recipes brewed on a small-batch system designed by SmartBrew. Base styles consist of IPAs, pilsners, stouts and wheat beers, with numerous variants available to appeal to different tastes (for example: hazy IPAs, coffee stouts, and fruited wheats).

Remaining draft offerings are mix of guest beers from other local breweries, along with a few macros, ciders and seltzers. Then for other beverage options, there's also soda, wine, liquor, "big beer" longnecks, and a range of non-alcoholic beers in both bottles and cans.

As for Uptown Rail's approach, it derives directly from the inspiration behind the brewery's name and how railroads have always connected people and communities. Along those lines, the Bensons hope to connect locals by providing a place where they can gather to "Sip, Savor and Socialize" in a family-friendly environment.

Uptown Rail Brewery welcomes patrons seven days a week, with service starting at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays, and 11:00 a.m. during the weekend.

On a trip to the 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Festival

Image: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D. Logo: Texas Craft Brewers Guild.

Sitting down to pen some perspectives after my first ever trip to the Texas Craft Brewers Festival (TCBF) in Austin, put on by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, I was curious to see how many of these events I've missed out on over the years.

Turns out, there have been a lot. History suggests the TCBF has existed in one form or another since 2003 - and that doesn't account for a series of events of the same name that took place in the mid-1990s. Yet, somehow, I've never managed to make it to a single occurrence.

Part of it was probably a proximity thing, though it's a pretty quick drive from Dallas down to the capitol city of Texas. Then there's always a question of weather, considering the event is outside at Fiesta Gardens on Lady Bird Lake, an offshoot of the Colorado River.

Regarding that, while attendees and brewery reps alike raved about the mid-November scheduling this year, the TCBF has usually been held in the early-to-mid fall timeframe. Of course, pushing into November makes the event more likely to hit beyond the "fake fall" and "second summer" seasons in Texas. This past weekend, Austin temperatures were comfortable in the mid-80s with a light breeze keeping things cool, especially for those seeking a respite under shade trees or the covered pavilion on site.

As for event details, naturally the TCBF is all about celebrating the state's small and independent brewers, but at the same time, it's also all about beer. Even as the market environment has pushed industry players and other festival organizers to pivot and offer a wider range of beverage options to patrons, beer was the soul sipping attraction at the 2024 TCBF.

In fact, over 200 beers were poured at this year's gathering, these the products of roughly 80 Texas breweries. Well over 50 of those breweries hailed from Central Texas, with 10 from North Texas, close to a dozen from in-and-around Houston, and a half-dozen or so from San Antonio and points south.

Not surprisingly, IPAs and lagers (pilsners especially) led the way style-wise, with stouts and sour beer numbers noticeable as well. Classic styles weren't really in abundance, but anyone seeking a more traditional pour could take solace in the available Emotional Support Beverage, a cleverly-named ESB from Galveston Bay Brewing of Clear Lake Shores.

The most popular attractions, though, were limited releases tapping periodically throughout the day, and this is where most barrel-aged beers could be found. One favorite from this group was a BA Belgian Quad from Spindletap Brewery of Houston. The list of limited beers also included three selections from North Texas, one of which can currently be had here at home.

• Odd Muse Brewing Co. of North Richland Hills: Guardians of the Harvest, an imperial coffee stout brewed with coffee from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters, pumpkin spice and caramel.
• Three Wide Brewing Co. of Fort Worth: Caramel Dark Narrative, a caramel cream imperial stout.
• Vector Brewing of Dallas: Procession, a pear brandy barrel-aged saison with pear, lemon, rosemary and thyme (available on tap and in 500mL bottles).
  

On the topic of festival favorites, having had most of the beers from North Texas, my list of preferred pours highlights a number of breweries I wasn't previously familiar with - one exception being Saint Arnold Brewing Co. of Houston, who landed on the list with two cellar releases.

And, I suppose that's the ultimate message here. When you go to a beer festival locally, you're generally looking to discover new breweries close to home. Attend the Texas Craft Brewers Festival, and you'll expand your beer horizons even further as you discover new tastes and learn about different brands from across the Lone Star State. Then maybe, you'll consider visiting these breweries next time you're in the neighborhood.

• Acopon Brewing Co. of Dripping Springs: Mina, a dry-hopped American pale ale.
• Bear King Brewing Co. of Marble Falls: Stigini, a white stout with vanilla and cacao.
• The Brewtorium of Austin: Confabulator, a German doppelbock.
• Fitzhugh Brewing of Dripping Springs: South African Rooibos, a brown ale with native South African tea.
• Grain Theory Brewery of Abilene: Tears of Osiris II, a Belgian pentabier.
• Great Heights Brewing Co. of Houston: The Drip, a coffee stout conditioned on Central American coffee beans.
• Saint Arnold Brewing Co. of Houston: 2013 Pumpkinator Imperial Pumpkin Ale, 2020 Russian Imperial Stout.
• Vista Brewing of Driftwood: Dark Skies, a black pilsner.

Cheers!

Lakewood fully transitions Temptress to cans

Image credit: Lakewood Brewing Co.

After 12 years, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has filled its last bottle of Temptress. The brewery's popular imperial milk stout, which reigns as the best-selling craft stout in Texas, is now available in cans statewide.

“We’ve been transitioning the Temptress lineup to cans for a few years now," says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. "The Seduction Series and Temptress Nitro have been doing great in cans. It was time to switch 100%. As we celebrate Stout Season, which will culminate with our 12th annual Bourbon Barrel Temptress release, beer lovers can now take all versions of Temptress anywhere, especially where glass isn’t allowed.”

A variety of taproom-only releases are on the agenda for Stout Month at Lakewood, with a new limited barrel-aged version of Temptress revealed each week during November.

Of course, as Bens mentions, this all leads up to the annual release of Bourbon Barrel Temptress (BBT) in December. To be sold exclusively in a two-pack of 12-ounce cans at the Lakewood Taproom, the 2024 edition of BBT will debut at a ticketed VIP event on Friday, December 6 (click here to purchase tickets). A party open to everyone follows on Saturday, December 7.

Civil Pour raises a Ruckus in Richardson

Images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Six years after introducing the concept off Walnut Hill Ln. in Dallas, owners Chad and Nellie Montgomery (also of Big Texas Beer Fest) have brought their "Coffee & Beer Ruckus" to the City of Richardson.

The newly-minted second location of Civil Pour Coffee + Beer is now open at 800 N. Coit Rd. in the city's Promenade North retail development. Set up in a 3,000 square foot space, the new spot very much has the look and feel of the original, with light-letting windows upfront, similar stylings filling the room, and a captivating art mural anchoring one wall.

On that last note, the "Peace Goddess" mural was created by Nellie (her first!), and the work is aptly named given the calm and welcoming air about it, as the goddess seems to be inviting guests to settle in with a cup of restorative liquid.

Of course, the liquids in this case could be coffee, or tea, or beer. Menu options in Richardson basically mirror those of the Dallas locale, in terms of both eats and drinks. There are lattes, espresso shots, pour over coffees, and 25 taps of beer for the discerning sipper, with the shop's familiar selection of pastries and paninis on hand for the hungry.

As for the vibe, if an early-week noontime visit is any indication, the goddess will hold court over an atmosphere promising to be - what else? - civil. Other than some quiet conversation, which at times might include elements of academic discourse thanks to UTD students from just down the way, there's nothing to distract from the enjoyment of a leisurely lunch, a quiet cup of joe, or a thought-provoking pint of locally-crafted beer.

Really then, what Civil Pour Richardson represents is a simple extension of the brand, and one which brings the Ruckus more within reach to residents living north of the I-635 "wall."

And, like it's Dallas brethren, Civil Pour Richardson has the makings of a morning, noon and nighttime destination based on its array of in-house offerings. So, along those lines, the shop operates seven days a week, with hours starting at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Fort Worth location of Voodoo Brewing has closed

Image © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Though no official announcement has been made, signs point to the permanent closure of Voodoo Brewing Co. - Fort Worth (the site's Google entry has been updated, and the Facebook page taken down). This news comes just over three months after the spot opened at 1001 N. Main St. in the Near Southside neighborhood of the city.

Essentially a locally-owned and operated taproom for the Pennsylvania-based Voodoo Brewing Co., the locale in Fort Worth was the third to debut in North Texas, and fourth overall in the state - joining franchises in Grand Prairie, Plano and Katy. Another brewpub in College Station opened in late September.

Despite the closure, plans still appear to be in motion for previously announced projects in Lewisville, as part of The Realm - Castle Hills development, and in Prosper just across from Prosper ISD's Children's Health Stadium.