3 Nations notches another win at 2026 World Beer Cup

Image credit: Brewers Association.

Tonight in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, winners were announced at the 2026 World Beer Cup (WBC).

While the WBC hasn't always been a yearly event (annual competitions began in 2022), this was the 30th anniversary of the first WBC, which took place in 1996. Over that period, 24 beers brewed in North Texas have been recognized as being among the best in the world.

For 2026, in a repeat of last year's result, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton was the lone North Texas honoree, taking a bronze for its year-round Mexican lager, Texian. It's the third overall WBC award for 3 Nations, having previously won medals at the 2022 and 2025 competitions.

Competition Statistics:

• 8,166 beers judged based on entries sent by 1,644 breweries and cideries representing 50 countries worldwide. For a historical comparison, 600 entries were submitted by 250 participating breweries in 1996.
• 356 medals awarded across 119 style categories covering craft beer (114) and cider (5).
• Most-entered categories in ranked order: West Coast-Style IPA, Juicy or Hazy IPA, Classic IPA.

Medals

• 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton: Bronze for Texian - Mexican-Style Light Lager.

Cheers and congrats to 3 Nations!

On CBC 2025 and the Indianapolis beer scene

CBC at Indiana Convention Center, Taxman Brewing Co., Lucas Oil Stadium, A.J. Foyt Exhibit at IMS Museum.
(Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D, Seal: City of Indianapolis).

When the Brewers Association (BA) announced the selection of Indianapolis, Indiana, as the host city for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC), my thoughts immediately went to "sports town." And not just because of sportsball, there's that internationally renowned racing venue as well.

In addition to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the city is home to the Colts (NFL), Pacers (NBA) and Fever (WNBA), not to mention Butler University (NCAA), NCAA Headquarters (including its Hall of Champions), and three teams playing minor league baseball, hockey and soccer. And just to further drive the sports point home for those choosing to drive in, Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts) appears as a dominant feature of the Downtown Indianapolis skyline.

Naturally, there's a lot more to the city and state than sports, but admittedly, my knowledge of Indiana beer didn't extend much further than the state's largest producer, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. of Munster. The company's campus (brewpub, beer production facility and distillery) has been closed to the public since COVID, so there's just a retail storefront currently, but it's also only a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Indy should you be so inclined.

Within the city itself, I found there to be a number of interesting and unique breweries worth exploring. Plus, I made one observation that differentiates the Indy area a bit from our local North Texas scene. For more, see "Taproom Trips" below.

As for the industry as a whole, much of the chatter at CBC 2025 centered around economic conditions and how breweries might best navigate and survive the current downturn. Discussion both during individual seminars and CEO Bart Watson's annual "State of the Industry" address focused on these areas, with particular attention paid to how breweries can keep things fresh and interesting while competing in a market crowded with other types of beverage alcohol to choose from.

Details and data points on those topics are shared below as well, along with results from the culminating event of the week, the 2025 World Beer Cup competition.

Cheers!

State of the Industry

Just two years ago, the industry was seemingly in a state of transition. There were still pockets of modest growth, but for the most part things had flattened out in 2022, ending a long run of positive growth and the upward trend of the total brewery count. The market had matured, making this the "new normal."

Typically, a mature market is characterized by slow growth, stable demand and strong competition, with businesses tasked with trying to maintain customer loyalty while reigning in costs and finding new ways to differentiate themselves in the market.

In the time since, though, the industry has seen a slowdown in demand, with operating costs climbing and competition increasing even more. As a result, brewers are now faced with an even more difficult market environment, and the economic indicators bear this out.

In 2024, total production volume was down 4%, with regionals, taprooms and brewpubs all coming in around the average. Micros, however, were down even further at 7%. But the news was even worse for breweries producing less than 500 barrels. Representing 64% of all breweries in the U.S., this segment was down 9%.

So, what's dragging the industry down? Inflation and potential tariffs impacting costs are hopefully short-term hinderances, but more permanent influences on the market include demographics (craft beer drinkers are generally older and some are aging out), lifestyle changes (driving low and non-alcoholic beer sales), and competing beverage options.

Taking demographics as a jumping-off point, the younger generation just isn't all that into beer. They tend to prefer other types of beverages (especially RTDs, or ready-to-drink beverages), seeking what they perceive as a greater variety of flavors.

An interesting point here has to do with the proliferation of the IPA. Other classic styles are getting harder to find because fewer breweries are making them. And for (older) breweries that do, they find themselves trying to breathe new life into their flagships.

Yet, with IPAs being the predominant offering, some younger drinkers are saying they don't like beer because they think all beers are hoppy and/or bitter. It's almost like the beer landscape has become homogenized all over again.

Complicating matters is NIQ data showing sales declines in a majority of traditional beer styles, while increases are seen in stronger IPAs, light lagers, pilsners and blonde ales. Indeed, go to a taproom today and you're likely to find any number of IPAs and light lagers pouring alongside a plethora of pilsner variants (e.g., Italian, African, New Zealand pilsners). 

Why, then, should brewers go back to classic styles if IPAs and light lagers are what pays the bills?

It's about appealing to the younger generation in hopes of expanding the customer base, and flavor again comes to the forefront. The opportunity for flavor innovation in popular styles was a talking point (see pilsners above), but many classics have inherent flavor complexities that are perhaps lost on the new generation. This goes to stepping up efforts to educate, since there's likely some truth in the idea that the kids may not know about quads.

That said, rolling out an entire line of brown and red ales probably isn't the answer. Product mix matters (doesn't it always?), so finding the right balance and being willing to adjust is important in order to satisfy the ever-changing tastes of your customer base. Honestly, maybe the definition for the word "pivot" should be changed in the dictionary to read "what craft brewers are constantly doing to try and stay alive."

As for the overall message, it remains one of focus. Breweries should stay true to their core values and lean into the things they do best while not overreacting to trends. And, of course, quality and execution are key. Racking up small wins may be the way to weather the current storm, and beer has weathered many storms in the past, so there's no reason it can't ride this one out as well.

World Beer Cup

On the competition topic, the 2025 edition of the World Beer Cup (WBC) attracted 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries and cideries located in 49 countries worldwide. Those beers were judged against guidelines covering 117 categories (112 for beer, 5 for cider), with the average number of submissions per category coming in at 73.

The top three entered categories were Juicy/Hazy IPA, West-Coast IPA and American-Style IPA in that order, a result which mirrored the style rankings at the most recent Great American Beer Festival competition last October.

Image: 3 Nations Brewing Co.

Emerging from the pool of entries as the sole North Texas honoree for 2025, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton/Anna brought home its second WBC medal all-time for their Bavarian wheat beer, Shed 'n Silo. The brewery won its first WBC award in 2022.

• 3 Nations Brewing Co., Carrollton/Anna - Silver for Shed 'n Silo - South German-Style Hefeweizen.

For more on the 2025 WBC, and the historical performance of breweries from North Texas, click the links below:

• Official press release from the Brewers Association, with a summary of 2025 competition statistics.
• Download a complete list of 2025 WBC winners in PDF format.
• View a historical chronicle of awards won by North Texas breweries at GABF and the WBC.

Taproom Trips

Not having been to Indianapolis previously, I focused on visiting brewing companies close to my hotel in the immediate downtown area. That narrowed the of list options to about 10, with two of those being among the top five producers in the entire state - Sun King Brewery and Upland Brewing Co.

Sun King proved to be a very popular destination during the two days I was in town (even limiting entry due to large crowds), so I didn't get a chance to check it out, but I did go to Upland's Fountain Square locale for a quick, just-got-into-town pint of their year-round Bad Elmer's Porter.

What's interesting about Sun King and Upland, and the Indy beer scene in general, is how many firms are operating multiple locations - something we don't see much of here in North Texas. Besides Sun King with seven spots (including one in Florida) and Upland with eleven, my stops included Taxman Brewing Co. - four locations, and Chilly Water Brewing Co. - two.

Taxman, Dark Side of the Munich Dunkel at Chilly Water, Metazoa, Bad Elmer's Porter at Upland (© Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Taxman ended up being my favorite destination, thanks to their range of traditional and barrel-aged Belgian offerings. With Deduction, Exemption and Qualified being their dubbel, tripel and quad, respectively, the brewery's tagline is "Belgian Inspired, American Crafted" for a reason. Though, one thing I'll add is the downtown location is steps away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers and Fever. The message here being don't get caught in an Uber when a game lets out (playoffs especially!) and they start shutting down streets to allow for arena-escaping foot traffic.

Surveying others, three breweries make up what I'd refer to as the College Ave. crawl. Along an easily walkable three-quarter mile stretch, Sun King sits roughly halfway between Metazoa Brewing Co. and St. Joseph's Brewery & Public House. And if you're looking for a pre-crawl bite to eat, high marks go to The Rathskeller, a German restaurant that sits a couple of blocks west of St. Joseph's in a historic 19th century building.

Metazoa is a pet-friendly brewery that has donated 5% of profits to animal and wildlife organizations since its inception. Their motto being "Drink Beer. Help Animals." And while Trivia Night and a Pacers playoff game on the big screen were likely contributing factors, this place had the best overall vibe.

St. Joseph's Brewery (© Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Then there's St. Joseph's, which is quite literally the church of beer in Indy. This is because the brewery occupies a church building whose cornerstone was laid in 1879. Due to private events on-site, I was only able to stop by on my way out of town, so a crowler of their seasonal PopeMeal Oat Stout was obtained to enjoy back home.

As for a few I missed. Other than Sun King, Guggman House Brewing Co. (two locations) and Kismetic Beer Co. both came highly recommended, I just didn't have enough time to seek them out.

A look at 2023 North Texas production numbers

Click to enlarge.

This is an update of the annual breakdown of brewery sizes in North Texas, with 2023 production data added as reported to the Brewers Association and published in the May/June 2024 issue of The New Brewer.

Note, not all brewing companies provide their numbers (assumptions are made for a couple of "Large" tier breweries based on past history), while some report statistics combining multiple locations. Data also includes production from breweries that closed during the course of 2023. As a result, the number of entities represented in the chart is not equal to the total number of breweries open and operating at any given time.

Inside the numbers:

The large-size brewery tier in North Texas, based on production (shown alphabetically):

• Community Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas.
• Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
• Revolver Brewing of Granbury.

Tier movement

• Advancing from "Mid-Size" to "Large" tier: Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Advancing from "Very Small" to "Small" tier: Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth, Second Rodeo Brewing Co. of Fort Worth (includes data from Beard Science Sour House of The Colony), and Union Bear Brewing Co. of Denton/Plano.

Year-to-year production change

• Overall production in North Texas was down roughly 9% for those reporting in 2022 and 2023. This value is influenced somewhat by numerous "Small" tier breweries showing significant drops, though in some cases this involves cuts occurring prior to closing a second location or closing permanently.
• Comparison: Craft beer volume was down 1% nationally in 2023, according to the Brewers Association.

Significant year-to-year production gains (based on those reporting in 2022 and 2023)

• For the second year in a row, Manhattan Project had the largest reported year-to-year gain in raw barrels produced locally for 2023. In fact, sales of the brewery's beers have more than tripled since 2019.
• The largest year-to-year percentage gains for brewing companies with production greater than 1000 barrels were realized by 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Anna/Carrolton, Celestial Beerworks of Dallas (two locations), Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth, and Second Rodeo/Beard Science of Fort Worth/The Colony.

3 Nations celebrates opening in Anna

Cops to Hops Blonde Ale, the inaugural Anna exclusive from 3 Nations Brewing Co. (Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

The doors are open at 3 Nation's Brewing Co. in Anna, as the Carrolton-based business has completed an expansion project initially announced late last year. An official grand opening took place on Saturday, the event drawing a capacity crowd from the outset.

Previously a bank and then a police station, the building at 101 S. Powell Pkwy in Anna now houses 3 Nations' new satellite taproom, a supplementary space to complement its flagship location in Downtown Carrollton. A five-barrel brewing system is still to be added, according to founder Gavin Secchi, once it and an accompanying array of six fermenters arrives in the coming weeks.

Of course, that means all beer being served at the new spot is coming from Carrollton at this point, but small-batch Anna exclusives will rotate in after the expected production hardware is installed and dialed-in on site.

Taproom seating inside is supplemented by and expansive patio area outside at 3 Nations Brewing Co. - Anna (Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

One of these, Cops to Hops, was produced in Carrollton ahead of time, so at least one Anna standard would be ready for opening day. A reference to the evolution of the structure's history, Cops to Hops is a light and easy-drinking blonde ale with an ABV of just 4.7%. It and other house brands pour from a tapwall with upwards of 28 slots available daily, or visitors can grab beer to go in cans or growlers.

Among other Anna amenities, an interior feature called The Vault is a private event room recalling the former bank, while an expansive patio has been added along one elevation to provide for a bit of outdoor ambiance. And for visuals, a number of wide-screen televisions have been installed both inside and out.

On the subject of eats, options include deliveries from next door neighbor, Mamma Mia's Pizzeria, or patrons can bring in bites from other outside restaurants as well. Then besides beer, beverage alternatives for pairing range from several wine selections to non-alcoholic liquids like bottled water and sodas.

As for when to go, 3 Nations Brewing Co. in Anna will have operating hours Tuesday-Sunday, with nightly attractions (bingo, karaoke, trivia, live music) set to engage patrons as they pass the time over a pint.

3 Nations opening satellite location in Anna

Image credit: 3 Nations Brewing Co.

Taking the next step in its evolution, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton has announced the intention to open a satellite brewery and taproom in the City of Anna.

First arriving on the scene in 2015, 3 Nations began operations in Farmers Branch before making a big move to a much bigger spot in Downtown Carrollton late in 2019. Now, the company is looking to expand its reach, while also becoming the first business of its kind to reside in Anna.

So, what's behind the move?  According to business manager John Royer, there are multiple reasons to open a satellite taproom in the right places.

"Number one, it extends our brand.  [More] people get to experience 3 Nations," says Royer. "In addition, we make more money selling in our taproom than through distribution per unit.  Due to inflation, cans/lids/PakTechs, labels, case trays and grain have all gone up a bunch.  Our price, to date, has not gone up.  So, this is another opportunity to extend our brand AND create an additional revenue source."

The focus of the project is an existing structure located at 101 S. Powell Parkway in Anna. Formerly utilized as a police and finance facility for the city, the 5,200 square foot building will be renovated to bring it in line with the company's charter of being "a brewery focused on brewing good beer and creating a fun environment for the community."

Among the expected amenities, a small-batch brewing system will produce unique beers onsite, while the addition of an outdoor patio space is in the plans as well.

Look for the Anna location of 3 Nations Brewing Co. to open sometime around June 2023.

Topics on Twin Cities beer, the 2022 CBC and World Beer Cup

The 2022 Craft Brewers Conference took place at the Minneapolis Convention Center (© Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Things I knew about Minnesota before visiting the state last week for the 2022 Craft Brewer's Conference (CBC), presented by the Brewers Association, were more or less limited to sports-related items - the Twins, the Vikings, the Wild, and the fact that the Dallas Stars were borne of the Minnesota North Stars.

Vikings were probably most prevalent in my mind, and while there are noticeable elements of Nordic culture - Scandinavian gift shops, the American Swedish Institute, a Leif Erikson statue on the grounds of the State Capitol, the people of Poland and Ukraine are likewise well-represented.

I also learned Minnesota is the home of the Jolly Green Giant and the founder of the Mayo Clinic. In fact, a house that served as W. W. Mayo's first medical practice was also once the home of the Cosgrove family who started the Green Giant Company.

Oh, and if you're into cartography, Interstate 35 (I-35) splits into east and west branches through the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, just like it does here at home for Dallas and Fort Worth.

As for all things beer in Minnesota, what I discovered was an active and vibrant scene. Most beer drinkers have heard of the Summit and Surly brewing companies, but beyond those, Minnesota may be a bit of a mystery - or, at least it was to me. One very pleasant surprise, though, is how you can explore both past and present elements of Minnesota's beer industry.

Highlights of my beer explorations in Minnesota are included below, as is a summary of topics discussed during keynote speeches at this year's CBC and the event's annual State of the Industry address. A quick recap of 2022 World Beer Cup results is provided as well.

Cheers!

State of the Industry

The message conveyed during the annual State of the Industry address given by Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association, was one of challenges ahead for America's craft brewers.

Craft beer is rebounding as it recovers from struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet while overall volume production is bouncing back, only about half of breweries in the U.S. have regained or improved upon 2019 production levels. What this means is, many breweries have now gone a number of years without experiencing any sort of business growth.

Even so, the number of breweries in America continues to increase, though it's notable that the growth curve is now leveling off - only 646 openings were recorded in 2021, continuing a downward trend in new brewery debuts that began around the beginning of 2018.

Data courtesy of the Brewers Association.

The rate of closures continues to remain low - only 186 in 2021, but the expectation is numbers will rise going forward. One reason cited was the end of pandemic-driven government support for small businesses. With the possibility of deferred bills coming due, the question becomes whether breweries on life support will be able to stand on their own.

Moreover, a difficult economic environment will impact operations for many, with supply chain issues resulting in rising costs, which will lead to pricing dilemmas as breweries make decisions as to how much of these increases will have to be passed on to their customers.

There's also the specter of increased competition, though it's not just other beer makers brewery owners have to worry about. Other types of alcoholic beverages are gaining market share and fighting for the same retail space and distribution channels as they vie for consumer dollars.

With that in mind, innovation is a key going forward for breweries hoping to weather the storm. Ideas and approaches spurring past growth will likely need to be refreshed and/or re-invented in order to get things moving forward again.

Watson further called upon attendees to remember that innovation begins with the customer. Brewers must be responsive to the demands of current customers, while also seeking out new ones who many have different preferences with regards to craft beer, and craft beverages in general.

Strong branding and creativity will matter greatly as well, points touched on by other featured speakers at the event. Natalie Cilurzo, co-founder of Russian River Brewing Co. of California, spoke at length about how breweries should have a clear and defined sense of purpose. Further reinforcing this with the right product choices and community involvement helps both customers (brand loyalty) and staff (employee retention) connect to your brewery.

On creativity, Timothy Wu, special assistant to President Biden for technology and competition policy, called the craft beer industry a model for the type of economy the administration wants to promote. Individualism, local identity, and diversity of choice being preferred over the watered-down nature of a consolidated industry and the anti-competitive practices that result. Wu also suggested breweries producing little beyond "trivial variations" weren't on the same page as others when it comes to true creativity and innovation.

Despite these issues, Watson believes craft beer can and will continue to thrive. Breweries have more than proven their resilience over the last two years, and he expects them to rise to the challenges in front of them as the industry soldiers on.

Three local breweries earn World Beer Cup honors

Held for the first time since 2018, this year's edition of the World Beer Cup (WBC) attracted 10,542 entries submitted by 2,493 breweries from around the world (with 57 different countries represented). A total of 307 medals were awarded by judges across 103 style categories. As for the most-entered categories, there was a flip-flop at the top compared to 2018, as "American-Style India Pale Ale," with 384 entries, jumped ahead of "Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale," with 343.

Among honorees from North Texas, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton won its first ever WBC award, while Community Beer Co. of Dallas landed its second, and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth its third (click here for a full competition summary).

• 3 Nations Brewing Co., Carrollton: Silver for Devour - Mexican Chocolate in the Chocolate Beer category.
• Community Beer Co., Dallas: Bronze for Bock in the American-Style Amber Lager category.
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth: Silver for Hazy Hefe in the South German-Style Hefeweizen category.

Founder Gavin Secchi of 3 Nations Brewing Co. accepts an award for the
brewery's Mexican Chocolate Devour Imperial Stout (© Brewers Association).

Minnesota breweries - yesterday and today

• Of the more than a dozen breweries I visited in Minnesota, three were among the top five producers in the state, though nary a one currently ships their beers to Texas. These included August Schell Brewing Co. of New Ulm, along with Surly Brewing Co. and Fulton Brewery of Minneapolis. Another destination, Fair Sate Brewing Cooperative of Minneapolis, has been available locally since 2020.
  
  Fulton and Surly were two of the more lively locales I checked out, as was Modist Brewing Co., which exists along with Fulton, Inbound Brew Co., and StormKing Brewpub + Barbecue in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
  
  StormKing, incidentally, was one of three Twin Cities-area dining establishments purporting to be a purveyor of "Texas BBQ," the others being Animales Barbeque Co. of Minneapolis and Firebox Deli of St. Paul. And while each had some enjoyable offerings, I think it's safe to say nothing quite compares to the source.
  
  Among favorite stops, Surly was at the top of the list, as was a little joint called Yoerg Brewing Co. in St. Paul. This spot resurrects the name and flagship recipe of Minnesota's first commercial brewery, which got its start in 1848. Yoerg's Beer, a steam beer akin to Anchor Steam, is produced just as it was over 150 years ago. The beer also pairs well with The Yoerg Sandwich, a sausage and Swiss selection on rye bread that's been called "The Greatest Blue Collar Sandwich in Town."
  
  

  

  Left-to-right: Surly Brewing Co., Yoerg Brewing Co., Fair State Brewing Cooperative (Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

• Speaking of bygone beer days, one thing sorely lacking here at home is the presence of preserved historical brewing structures, something Minnesota has in relative abundance. During my trip north, I discovered seven pre-Prohibition era brewing companies whose buildings have been restored for modern use. One is, of course, the aforementioned August Schell brewery, which dates back to 1860 and is still in operation. Others, with links to their histories, are listed below:
  
  Grain Belt Brewery, Minneapolis - c1891, now home to RSP Architects. 
  Hamm's Brewery, St. Paul - c1865, now home to Saint Paul Brewing and 11 Wells Spirits.
  John Hauenstein Brewery, New Ulm - c1864, now private property/residences.
  Jacob Schmidt Brewing Co., St. Paul - c1855, now home to Schmidt Artist Lofts.
  Jordan Brewery, Jordan - c1861, now home to small, local businesses.
  Joseph Wolf Brewing Co., Stillwater - c1868, now home to Lora Hotel.
  
  

Left-to-right: Jacob Schmidt Brewing Co., Hamm's Brewery/Saint Paul Brewing, Grain Belt Brewery (Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

3 Nations launches Symbol Brewing side project

Image credit: 3 Nations Brewing Co.

A new North Texas brand is debuting this week, the concept behind it built around three little words: "Simply. Good. Beer."

From the team at 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton, Symbol Brewing Co. is an initiative designed to give head brewer Gavin Secchi the opportunity to experiment with recipes falling outside the bounds of the brewery's everyday lineup.

"Symbol Brewing is our innovative, rotating line of beers focused towards craft beer lovers," says John Royer, business manager at 3 Nations. "Our 3 Nations beer portfolio, like most local breweries, tends to be a consistent lineup of great tasting beers. Gavin is a strong brewer with a lot of recipes and we want to take advantage of this opportunity."

Regarding the "simply good beer" elements of the brand's identity, those words apply not only to what's found inside Symbol Brewing's cans, but also to how its products will be portrayed in the marketplace.

"The marketing is minimalistic and meant to be 'all about the beer,'" explains Royer. "We believe that symbols create conversation, so rather than naming beers we just wanted to create relevant symbols."

As for what consumers can expect in terms of availability, the Symbol Brewing line is intended to be a series of limited edition, one-off beers.

"We will rotate three new exciting brews created by Gavin every other month," says Royer. "This is a limited series as we just don’t have the capacity to brew larger amounts of Symbol Brewing beers.  It is just our way of having fun and keeping it fresh."

The initial run of Symbol Brewing beers is shipping now to select retailers across North Texas. Styles include Pastry Gose, Strawberry Hefeweizen and West Coast IPA. Look for them in four-packs of 16-ounce cans.

3 Nations debuts its showy new shed in Carrollton

 (All photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

A craft brewery now resides in Carrollton, as 3 Nations Brewing Co. has opened the doors to its new location in the city after relocating from its previous site in Farmers Branch.

Initially debuting in the summer of 2015, 3 Nations got its start after taking over the original space of Grapevine Craft Brewery, following that operation's move to its namesake city. Along the way, 3 Nations has made a name for itself with beers like GPA, Mango Smash IPA and Haze Wizard, along with offerings from its Devout Imperial Milk Stout series.

Now, 3 Nations occupies a former grain warehouse anchoring a corner of Historic Downtown Carrollton. Built in the 1950s, real estate listings for the structure known as the "shed" quote a usable space of just under 12,000 square feet, but the place feels bigger...much bigger. So much so, one wonders if a survey team should be called out to recheck the numbers.

Views from above and below capture the production system at 3 Nations, along with a pilot system
composed of tanks once used at Hoffbrau Steaks & Brewery in the 1990s (click image to enlarge).

In any case, the brewing apparatus from Farmers Branch takes up a good portion of the south end of the building, fronting what's essentially an indoor patio to the north. Along the eastern edge, there's a climate-controlled taproom, an event space, and a second-floor public area with additional seating and expansive views of the brewhouse.

Also of note, 3 Nations has acquired a bit of North Texas brewing history in the form of equipment once used by Hoffbrau Steaks & Brewery in the late 1990s. Visible alongside the array of production fermenters, the set includes a brew kettle and four "tax determination" tanks made of copper and stainless steel. And, they're not just for display either, as the whole lot is expected to be put to use as 3 Nations' pilot system.

Of course, there's plenty of room to mix and mingle outdoors as well, given the overall lot size of 20,000 square feet. On opening day alone, there were multiple food trucks, vendors, a giant dart board and inflatable attractions for the kids, all of which made for a family-friendly atmosphere enjoyed by a large crowd of young and old alike.

It's an impressive setup, to say the least, and given 3 Nations' proximity to shops and restaurants downtown, it's one that makes Carrollton an instant North Texas craft beer destination. As for when to visit, check out the brewery during taproom hours seven days a week, and don't forget to mark your calendar for the official grand opening scheduled for Saturday, November 16.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - December 26, 2018 edition

Closing the book on 2018 beer blurbs, this edition of the Conspectus features news on new brands, an expansion, and the promise of a new barrel-aged series to come from the area's oldest craft brewery.

Cheers!

Edgewise Eight launches brand in Weatherford

Becoming the newest brewing operation in North Texas, Edgewise Eight Brewing of Weatherford debuted its products during a launch event at Antebellum Ale House in early December. According to co-founder Clif Ellis, production is current being done on a small system at the company's Weatherford location, with the short-term goal being to supply beer to popular bars in the city.


3 Nations signs lease on new location in Carrollton

This month, 3 Nations Brewing Co. unveiled plans for a new taproom and brewery to be built in the City of Carrollton. The company's future home will occupy an existing structure raised in 1950 that once served as a grain storage shed. Construction on the space is set to begin in January, with the hope that a grand opening will occur by early summer 2019.


Rahr & Sons to tap new barrel-aged series in 2019

A new barrel-aged series is in the works at Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, at least based on a teaser video posted recently on the company's Facebook page. The R&S 'Berǝl Series will debut in January with Black Sappath, a beer brewed with chocolate and blackberries prior to being aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels for six months.


Vector Brewing secures spot in Lake Highlands

Residents of Northeast Dallas will soon be able to plot a course to a new neighborhood brewery, now that Vector Brewing has entered into an agreement to take over a space in Lake Highlands. The company will be established at 9850 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 405, in the community's Lakeridge development.

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Image credits (top-to-bottom): Edgewise Eight Brewing, 3 Nations Brewing Co., Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Vector Brewing.

3 Nations to debut taproom, partner with Hop & Sting

Image credit: 3 Nations Brewing Co.

Nearly two years after establishing itself in Farmers Branch, 3 Nations Brewing Co. has announced the opening of an onsite taproom.

Up until now, 3 Nations had only been open for monthly tours, but that will change beginning this weekend with a grand opening bash to be held on Saturday. The event, which runs from 12-8 p.m., will feature food, live music and 11 beers on tap.

Regarding the beer, in addition to 3 Nations standards like American Wit, GPA, Mango Smash IPA and Texas Gold, the lineup for the party will include two brews created in collaboration with Hop & Sting Brewing Co. One of these will be Double GPA, a self-explanatory offering, while the other will be a saison infused with whole tamarind called Sobra La Cima (i.e. Over the Top).

On that note, some may not be aware that the two companies recently entered into an alternating proprietorship agreement. Pending the issuance of a license from the TABC, this will allow Hop & Sting to brew part time at the facility currently occupied by 3 Nations. It's a pact that makes sense in more way than one, if you consider the history behind the building and those involved.

The assets, of course, were once owned by Grapevine Craft Brewery. However, once that company shifted operations to Grapevine, 3 Nations owner Gavin Secchi took over the building and its equipment prior to debuting his brand in July 2015. Now, Secchi will be sharing space with Hop & Sting founders Brian Burton and Jon Powell, both of whom worked at Grapevine prior to its move from Farmers Branch. In other words, Burton and Powell have prior experience working with the system currently in place at 3 Nations.

As for the taproom, according to a press release, operating hours will be as follows: Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday 12-8 p.m.

My 2016 Fort Worth Untapped tasting card.

Image credits: CrowdSource, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Grapevine Craft Brewery,
3 Nations Brewing Co., Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., The Collective Brewing Project.

Read any recap of Saturday's Untapped Festival in Fort Worth, and within the first few sentences there's probably going to be some mention of the weather. It was hot. It was humid. It was sticky. Hell, it was Houston (I grew up there, so don't go getting all offended if you're a current resident)!

Thankfully, though, there was beer...and while beer can't solve all the world's problems, a cold one or two can certainly help take the edge off a hefty dose of heat-induced delirium. Which reminds me, was I really involved in a conversation about drinking Delirium "Tree"-mens under the gathering point that became the big tree?

Anyway, by now you surely know all there is to know about Untapped and what it has to offer, so we'll stick to the routine here and just cover a handful of beers that helped beat the heat. And, of course, the standard disclaimer applies...these are non-whale, new to me beers that I found to be noteworthy.

Cheers!

• 3 Nations Bull's English Brown with Coffee & Cinnamon: This was almost certainly the first specialty beer I've had from 3 Nations, and it was a good one. I always approach spiced beers with more than a little trepidation, but this one displayed great balance between the added ingredients and the underlying beer.
• Collective Brewing Project Funky Thunder: A take on the brewery's Tropic Thunder fermented with Brett, this is a beer that pretty much matches right up with the dry and lightly funky description given on Collective's website.
• Grapevine Prickly Pear Wheat: I've had three or four versions of this beer over the course of its existence, first as a homebrew recipe prior to when head brewer Jonny Daylett joined the team at Grapevine, and now as a commercial product. I've always felt like each incarnation was better than the last, and it appears the production batch is no exception.
• Rahr & Sons Bourbon Barrel Snowmageddon: I've been wondering what happened to this beer since it was first said to be in the works back in January. Now that I've finally had a chance to try this slightly boozy barrel-aged offering, I can't help but think maybe those at the brewery are just trying to keep it for themselves.
• Saint Arnold Boiler Room Brett Raspberry: Big on the berries, with just a hint of funk from the secondary fermentation, this was probably the most refreshing beer I had all day. And, at only 3.7% ABV, it's a beer you could probably drink all day as well.

Also notable: Four Corners Santana Ray Equinox Lager, Rabbit Hole Wonderlust with Tart Cherries, Tupps For Ella Double IPA.

3 Nations joins forces with FullClip for D-FW distribution

Image credits: FullClip Craft Distributors, 3 Nations Brewing

Looking to extend its reach beyond areas it has serviced on its own since opening last July, relative newcomer 3 Nations Brewing Co. has signed-on with FullClip Craft Distributors for the delivery of its products in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

From a joint statement:

"FullClip Craft Distributors and 3 Nations Brewing are happy to announce a new partnership to distribute the brewery's craft offerings to Dallas-Fort Worth and the surrounding counties. FullClip has become the leading craft beer-only distributor in North Texas by developing and maintaining relationships with all leading retailers and on-premise craft beer establishments, restaurants and pubs. Based in Farmers Branch, 3 Nations introduced several year-round premium craft beers in 2015 including its German Pale Ale (GPA), American Wit and Bull's English Brown Ale. This partnership pairs North Texas' premier craft beer distributor with an exciting new local brewery for the purpose of getting flavorful craft beers into the hands of craft beer enthusiasts across the area."

In addition, it was revealed that a new year-round beer will be added to the 3 Nations portfolio in April. Artwork and an official name are are still in the works, but owner Gavin Secchi describes the beer as a cross between a German kölsch and an English-style cream ale (in fact, for now he's referring to the beer as 3 Nations English Cream Ale).

"There is a big American influence in this beer." says Secchi, "with the addition of tangerine peel and a strong Mandarin orange hop aroma which comes from the dry hops. This beer is light gold in color, with an ABV of just 4.5%. The finish is dry, with a creamy mouthfeel that comes from special wheat and oak flakes used in the brewing process. With this and an IBU rating of just over 20, the beer is sure to be sessionable to the masses."

Look for it on tap and in cans this spring.