Union Bear expands its pawprint to McKinney

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Union Bear Brewing Co. is now open at 308 W. Virginia St. in McKinney, as the brewpub brand operated by 33 Restaurant Group has expanded operations to a third location set just a block or so back from the city's downtown square.

So, what's the new place like? Well, it's a lot like Union Bear, of course. Indeed, if you've been to either the Denton or Plano outpost, you've already got a good idea of what to expect in terms of the look and decor. The primary difference being that McKinney is a restaurant only in terms of operations, as no brewing activity takes place on site.

Even so, visitors will still be able to enjoy a wide variety of Union Bear beers. According to Coty Bell, director of brewing operations, "McKinney will get the best of both worlds with our favorite beers from our Denton and Plano breweries." In other words, standards like the brewpub's Blonde, Amber and Mexican Style Lager will be on tap regularly, with specialties from the production locales mixed into a daily lineup of up to 20 draft beers.

As for dining in, there are a few adjustments to the food menu compared to other locations as well. There's the familiar range of sandwiches, snacks and greens, but in McKinney they plate Sicilian-style bar pizzas (as opposed to flabreads in Plano, and hand-stretched pies in Denton), and you'll also find a wider selection of "Plates" (i.e. higher-end entrees) to choose from.

Then amenity-wise, there's a full bar serving cocktails and spirits, and if there's a game on, it'll surely be shown on one of more than a dozen flatscreen TVs. The main draw, though, may ultimately be the ambiance of the patio space, which runs fully along the east elevation. Most of it is covered, but there's a smaller, uncovered area with turf set aside for patrons and their pooches.

Oh, and let's not forget about the dedicated parking lot. It's limited to maybe 20 spots combined on the left and right side of the restaurant, but let's be honest, any sort of parking allotment is a welcome addition considering the urban address.

Union Bear McKinney offers service six days a week, with hours starting at 11 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday.

Meddlesome Moth set for final run in Dallas

Photos: Raynor Brumfield.

Plans are now in place for the Meddlesome Moth's final days, as it completes an iconic 15-year run as one of the top craft beer destinations in Dallas and all of North Texas. After a series of special events, the Moth will close on Thursday, May 22.

In 2010, Shannon Wynne and Keith Schlabs (founders of sibling concepts Flying Saucer and Rodeo Goat) debuted the Moth in the former Ann Sacks Tile Showroom as the first restaurant in the developing Dallas Design District. For its decor, a trio of oversized stained glass windows depicting Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Elvis were reclaimed from Hard Rock Cafe - Dallas and restored to perfection, quickly defining the eatery along with its extensive selection of craft beers and brasserie offerings (these will change hands by way a private sale through Heritage Auctions).

Also of note, the Moth hosted some of the greatest names in craft beer culture during its time in Dallas, including Adam Avery (founder, Avery Brewing Co. of Colorado), Ken Grossman (founder, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. of California) and James Beard award-winner Garrett Oliver (brewmaster, Brooklyn Brewery of New York). Plus, in 2012, Stephen Beaumont, author of The World Atlas of Beer, named Meddlesome Moth as one of his favorite beer destinations in the world.

As for the remaining events, the Moth will celebrate its 15th and final anniversary during April Ale Week from April 20-25. According to a press release, a series of “Meet the Brewer” happy hours will occur from 4-7 p.m., with local Dallas favorites Celestial Beer Works (4/21), Manhattan Project Beer Co. (4/23) and Peticolas Brewing Co. (4/25).

A final Bon Voyage Brunch will then take place on Saturday, May 17, featuring brunch specials with a yacht rock theme. Reservations on OpenTable are highly recommended.

Rahr & Sons on the hunt for a new haunt

Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

After more than 20 years of making beer at 701 Galveston Ave. in Fort Worth, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. has announced plans to end operations there in preparation for a move to a new home.

According to a social media post, the "goals for the future of Rahr Brewing have surpassed the capabilities of [the] current location." Up until now, the company has operated in an industrial space encompassing more than 30,000 square feet. As for the future, a new site has yet to be identified, but it's believed the preference is for the brewery to remain in Fort Worth.

Regarding production during the coming downtime, further comments promise it will continue and that "Rahr beers will still be brewed by [the] same talented brewers in Fort Worth." In fact, licensing records suggest Rahr & Sons will be tapping into available capacity by way of an alternating proprietorship at a neighboring brewery just two miles away.

"We are so grateful for all the memories, the laughter, and all of the life events we’ve shared together at the brewery. As we begin this exciting journey to find a new location, please be assured that our brewing and the availability of your favorite Rahr beers in restaurants, bars and stores will remain uninterrupted."

The current taproom will remain open for roughly another month, with the final day of business on Galveston Ave. set for Saturday, May 17.

Oak Highlands relocating brewery to Richardson

Image credits: Oak Highlands Brewery, City of Richardson.

As the company approaches its 10th anniversary in North Texas, Oak Highlands Brewery (OHB) has announced plans to move operations to Richardson.

Last week, Oak Highlands signed a lease on the existing space at 500 Lockwood Dr., which sets up just off the northwest corner of Central Expressway and Beltline Rd. in Richardson's Core District. This spot should be familiar, since it was originally home to Happy Hippie Brewing Co.

So, what's the motivation behind the move?

According to a press release, Oak Highlands has enjoyed many years of success in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, but "this opportunity allows OHB to move from an industrial park into a high-traffic retail area that is still a convenient drive for our loyal beer enthusiasts, while also creating outstanding exposure to the D-FW area at our new location."

The new venue will also allow Oak Highlands to expand on the range of fun events fans of the brewery already enjoy. Patrons can expect great live music, food events and competitions, private parties and dog rescue fundraisers, along with a recurring calendar of weekly events like bingo, trivia, music bingo and meat raffles.

As for when this will all go down, Oak Highlands hopes to have the Richardson facility open by late spring. Further details will be shared on the brewery's social media channels at once a firm date is determined.

In the meantime, Oak Highlands is planning to host a Farewell Party at the current locale on Brockwood Rd. in Dallas on Saturday, July 26th. After that, it'll be time to head from Brockwood to Lockwood as the company plants new roots in Richardson.

Texas Craft Brewers Guild outlines 2025 legislative agenda

Texas craft brewers visited the State Capitol for Lobby Day in February (Texas Craft Brewers Guild).

The Texas Craft Brewers Guild has announced support for three bills filed for consideration by the 89th Texas Legislature now in session. These proposals seek to address crucial aspects of brewery operations throughout Texas.

• Beer To You (SB 246 / HB 2441): would allow Texas brewers to safely and legally deliver and ship their products directly to consumers, mirroring paths to market already afforded to Texas wineries and all Texas retailers with the exception of brewpubs. Beer To You bills were first introduce during the 88th Texas Legislature, but were denied hearings in both House and Senate committees.
• Interfacility Transfer (SB 1240 / HB 4773): would reduce regulatory hurdles currently experienced by multi-location breweries simply trying to move their own inventory between their own facilities. Such barriers involve either having to pay a distributor to move their product, or being forced to structure their locations as separate business entities just to sell the product back to themselves.
• Beers For Steers (SB 1554 / HB 3336): would provide targeted tax relief for Texas craft breweries who donate their spent grain to local agricultural producers by offering an excise tax credit. This bill incentives brewers to support nearby businesses and keeps valuable resources in local economies while helping to lower feed costs for Texas farmers and ranchers.

"The craft beer industry is a vital part of the Texas economy, driving tourism, economic development, and job creation across the state," says Caroline Wallace, executive director of the Guild. "With these bills, we have a clear path to support our small manufacturing and hospitality businesses and enhance their ability to operate efficiently and sustainably."

Texas ranks third nationally in craft beer production, with the industry contributing $5.3 billion to the state's economy. Despite this significant economic impact, Texas sits at 48th when it comes to craft breweries per capita, underscoring substantial opportunity for continued growth in a large, highly populous state.

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas has seen a rise in brewery closures and a slowdown in new brewery openings, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the hospitality industry.

Small breweries have contended with supply chain disruptions and increased costs of raw materials, capital, and real estate. Price hikes, driven by inflation and further compounded by environmental challenges and global factors affecting supply chains, have significantly impacted operational costs. With the industry already facing headwinds, it's essential that we examine laws currently inhibiting breweries' ability to compete effectively and return to growth in a rapidly changing marketplace.

"We are at a pivotal moment where legislative progress can profoundly influence the growth and success of the craft brewing industry in Texas," says Travis Bailey, government affairs associate for the Guild. "Our Texas beer laws have improved substantially over the past 12 years, and each legislative change has spurred brewery growth. Still, the market and consumer expectations have moved faster, and our craft breweries continue to face more regulatory hurdles and barriers to growth than their counterparts in many other states. It's time to modernize our laws to reflect the evolving needs and potential of this industry and enable Texas craft brewers to truly compete."

Temptress dons a new blonde look at Lakewood

Lakewood's newest temptation (photo: Cassie Henderson).

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has announced the release of a new tempt-ation and the latest entry in the company's Seduction Series.

Temptress Blonde is an imperial golden stout inspired by the brewery's top-selling craft stout, The Temptress. And being a bright Texas blonde with the underlying character of its darker sibling, it's a Temptress recipe "designed with warm weather drinking in mind."

“Temptress Blonde is a beer for the senses,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “A golden stout is designed to make you do a double take. Its bright golden hue deceptively disguises traditional stout flavors—vanilla, coffee (supplied by LDU Coffee), and malt sweetness. But don’t be fooled by its lighter color—Temptress Blonde boasts an impressive 9.1% ABV.”

The beer is available now in four-packs of 12-ounce cans at the Lakewood Taproom, with shipments rolling out across Texas starting this week.