Thursday, June 12, 2025

Sweet Dol-ings to dole out Temptress treats at Lakewood, June 14

Image credit: Lakewood Brewing Co.

These days, it has seemingly become more common to see a brewery put baked goods into their beers as opposed to other way around. That said, The Temptress Imperial Milk Stout has proven to be a tasty addition when used in cookies, ice cream and other confections ever since Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland began producing the beer over a decade ago.

Of course, collaborating with local makers on products beyond beer is a way for breweries like Lakewood to expand their brand awareness. In this case, the brewery has lent its liquid to Sweet Dol-ings Bakery of Dallas for use in the creation of two new Temptress-infused treats that will be on the menu during a pop-up event at Lakewood this weekend.

Launched in 2024, Sweet Dol-ings is a woman-led baking business founded by Nedjina Dol. A passion for baking led Dol to begin mailing homemade dessert boxes to friends and family during the 2020 holiday season. It turned into an annual tradition that has since become something much bigger.

Now, coming up on Saturday, June 14 at 12 p.m., Sweet Dol-ings will be set up in the Lakewood Taproom offering up a Temptress Cake, made with the original Temptress, along with a Temptress Blonde Cupcake, made with the brewery's recently released imperial golden stout.

It's an opportunity to shop small and support local business, and if you want to make a day of it, you can enjoy one or both desserts after grabbing a bite of lunch first. Options include beer-infused snacks and entrees from the Lakewood kitchen like the Bavarian Pretzel (with beer Cheese spread and Temptress mustard) and the limited time Chicken Pickle Ranch Flatbread (with ranch dressing, grilled chicken, mozzarella, Lakewood Lager house-made pickles and a buffalo drizzle).

Monday, June 9, 2025

Tupps to host inaugural Sausage Fest, June 14

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

This Father's Day weekend, Tupps Brewery of McKinney will be offering patrons the best of the wurst during the company's first ever Sausage Fest, taking place on Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m.

According to a press release, "this one-of-a-kind celebration brings together the best of North Texas sausage and craft beer for an unforgettable day of delicious indulgence, live music and spirited competitions."

Tupps will welcome sausage legends from around the region, serving up a total of eight curated sausage samples expertly paired with eight signature Tupps beers.

The menu:

Additional attractions at Sausage Fest will include live music, a hot dog eating contest, a dad bod contest and more (contest sign-ups will be on-site the day of the event). There will also be gourmet sausage dishes and other food available for purchase, along with beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Tickets are not required to attend, but tasting tickets are the only way to enjoy the sausage and beer pairings - and they're expected to sell out. Pre-purchasing is highly encouraged to ensure there is enough sausage for everyone, so click on the following link to secure your spot: https://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2853111880211067068.

Friday, June 6, 2025

Welcome to the Herb 'N Jungle: Sheraton Dallas taps new signature beer

Herb 'N Jungle Honey Beer, Chicken 'n Waffles with Chipotle Hot Honey, the Herb 'N Jungle, El Cubano (All photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Something new is buzzing about the Sheraton Dallas Hotel at 400 Olive St. in downtown, as the travel and entertainment destination has launched a new signature beer brewed in collaboration with Manhattan Project Beer Co., the Dallas-based brewery doing business just four miles away.

Formally introduced at an exclusive preview event last evening, Herb 'N Jungle Honey Brew - a.k.a. Gold Flash Honey Lager (5.2% ABV), is made with honey sourced from beehives maintained on-site in the Sheraton's Herb 'N Jungle outdoor garden. Upwards of 70,0000 bees live and work in the garden, which is located on the fourth-floor terrace of the hotel.

The motivation for creating a house beer for the hotel was borne out of the Sheraton's ongoing commitment to community support and its desire to provide patrons with locally-inspired offerings. In the spirit of this, a partnership with Manhattan Project was formed roughly two years ago, shortly after the hotel first began housing bees on the property.

According to Brandon Byrd, part of the management team at Manhattan Project, when the project started the production crew got to work with research and development once the hotel delivered "buckets of Sheraton honey" to the brewery. They experimented with other beer style types before landing on the final formulation, which adds honey to a classic Munich-style helles base recipe.

The objective was to create a beer with "wow" factor, but also one that would have wider reach in terms of appeal. In the end, those goals appear to have been realized in the form of an ever so slightly-sweet summer crusher, which finishes clean with a subtle hint of honey character in the finish.

As for where to get it should you frequent the hotel, Herb 'N Jungle Honey Brew will be on tap year-round at the Sheraton's dining establishments - Draft Sports Bar & Lounge, Open Palette and The Parlor.

And for those looking to enjoy their honey beer with a bite, suggested pairings include two new offerings on the daily Draft food menu: the Chicken Bao-Bun (grilled chicken teriyaki with soy aioli, cilantro and pickled vegetables) and the El Cubano (smoked crispy pork cutlet with Swiss cheese, honey mustard, tomatoes and dill pickles). 

At the same time, diners should also keep an eye out for special menu items infused with honey from the rooftop bees like Chicken 'n Waffles with Chipotle Hot Honey and the Honey Cake with Rose Water Cream.

For more information on the food and drink options at eateries of the Dallas Sheraton Hotel, click here to visit the "Dining" section of the hotel's official website.