Bankhead opens newest brewpub in Farmers Branch

Bankhead's name recalls the Bankhead Highway, an early roadway which ran through
Downtown Rowlett - the company's origin point (All images: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Adding to its roster of locations in Fort Worth and the original in Rowlett, Bankhead Brewing Co. has opened its newest brewpub in the spot formerly occupied by Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery at 13090 Bee St. in Farmers Branch.

Bankhead's approach to expansion, thus far, has involved acquiring brewpubs that have recently closed. Ownership took a mostly turn-key approach to its takeover of Deep Ellum Brewing Co.'s Funkytown Fermatorium in Fort Worth, but it seems they may have jiggled the key a bit more when planning out how to fit into Farmers Branch.

While changes outside focus on signage, renovations on the interior involved a re-work of the two-story, 6000+ square foot space. In addition to swapping out furnishings and adopting a darker color motif, the old bar setup downstairs was removed and replaced with a new service counter aligned with the south wall.

A darker color palette adorns the interior of Bankhead's brewpub in Farmers Branch.

There's even an old model-T Ford, à la the brewpub's logo, that's been split in half and installed as decor around the elevator shaft. And though it's not ready just yet, the lift and an adjoining staircase will provide upstairs access to what's set to evolve into a lounge-like locale. Here, the brewpub will host events like weekly trivia nights, while also setting the stage for live, local music acts to perform.

Shifting gears to the brewhouse, some may notice the hardware in this room has both literally and figuratively risen to new heights. The production system has been revamped with new equipment, the setup now incorporating an array of stackable fermenters which reaches to the ceiling.

From within, beers brewed onsite pour from one of 20 handles on the brewpub's tapwall, with the everyday lineup expected to contain long-standing Bankhead standards with automobile-inspired names like Low Beams (light lager), Devil Wagon (German helles) and Wheel's Off IPA. And let's also not forget Hoofer's Hef (German hefeweizen), a two-time award winner at the Great American Beer Festival.

Among the consumables at Bankhead Farmers Branch: Buddha's Mantra, a Belgian witbier, and the brewpub's Brussel & Chicken Salad.

Remaining aspects of the menu follow suit in offering selections likely familiar to fans of Bankhead, with food options comprising pizzas, burgers, sammies, soups, salads, featured entrées and desserts (plus a kids menu). Then for drinkables beyond the beer, a cocktail and wine range is also available.

Something else worth mentioning is this: if Farmers Branch has one advantage over its sister sites, it's probably the second-floor patio section. Patrons seated there are able to couple the ambiance with the brewpub's quality craft beer and culinary fare for an elevated brewpub experience...in more ways than one.

Bankhead Brewpub opens daily in Farmers Branch, with hours beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. from Wednesday to Sunday.

Bankhead now fermenting in Funkytown

Bankhead Fort Worth is open daily, with hours from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (all images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

It's been nearly five years since Bankhead Brewing Co. opened its original concept in Rowlett during the fall of 2016. Named for the Bankhead Highway, one of the earliest transcontinental roadways in the nation, the brewpub has since remained an arguably underrated destination for good food coupled with solid, stylistic house beers.

In more recent times, the company has undergone a change in ownership. This event was followed by the announcement in April of plans to expand the business by taking over a space in Fort Worth previously occupied by Deep Ellum Brewing Co.'s Funkytown Fermatorium. Located at 611 University Dr. in the city's Cultural District, Bankhead Fort Worth opened on a soft basis in July, with an official grand opening taking place on August 1.

In tune with the brewpub's namesake, the Bankhead Highway, artwork and decor is inspired by the American automobile.

So, what's the new spot like? Well, to borrow a known phrase...it's a case of second verse, same as the first. And really, this is an appropriate turn of phrase in more ways than one.

To begin with, former visitors of the Fermatorium will see many similarities when stepping foot into Bankhead Fort Worth. This is because the conversion of the ready-made restaurant and brewery was a turn-key transition. From the looks of it, the company simply swapped out the signage, along with elements of artwork and decor...and voila, a newly-branded brewpub.

Indoor murals portray popular Bankhead offerings like Adios Bitchachos, a Mexican lager.

As for Bankhead Fort Worth's primary attractions, that being the beer and food, fans of the Rowlett locale will feel a sense of familiarity as well. The culinary menu is much the same (pizzas, sandwiches, salads and soups), as is the standard portfolio of brewhouse offerings, the latter of which includes popular selections like Adios Bitchachos (Mexican lager) and Hoofer's Hef (German-style hefeweizen).

What this means is, Bankhead regulars can enjoy essentially the same experience regardless of whether they frequent the company's brewpub in Rowlett or Fort Worth. The atmosphere and setting may differ a bit, but once you settle into your surroundings you'll hardly notice, as you enjoy the quality and consistency that's been a hallmark of Bankhead's approach since day one.

Four North Texas breweries earn medals at 2019 Aro Rojo

Image credit: Competencia Internacional de Cerveza Aro Rojo.

Four area breweries and a local gypsy brewer have been recognized south of the border at the 2019 Aro Rojo International Beer Competition.

Held March 26-28 in Tampico, Mexico, the Aro Rojo event aims to be an international platform for recognition of beers from around the world. In addition to those sent in from the competition's home country of Mexico, beers were submitted from South and Central America, South Korea and the United States. Entries were evaluated according to the 2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Style Guidelines.

As for North Texas, a total of five medals were awarded to local breweries, with an additional medal of note bestowed upon a beer Dallas-based BlackMan Brewing created in collaboration with Costa Rican brewer Treintaycinco - Fabrica de Cervezas. Each of these honorees is listed below, while a complete list of winners may be found by clicking here (image at link expands to a slideshow).


Bankhead Brewing Co., Rowlett

• Silver for Whoopee! in the Czech Premium Pale Lager category.
• Bronze for Devil Wagon in the Munich Helles category.

BlackMan Brewing/Treintaycinco - Fabrica de Cervezas, Dallas/Costa Rica

• Silver for Smoking Lit in the Historical Beer: Lichtenhainer category.

Cowtown Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Silver for Everybody's Doing It in the American IPA category.

HopFusion Ale Works, Fort Worth

• Gold for Coco Anejo in the Winter Seasonal Beer category.

Martin House Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Bronze for Friday IPA in the American IPA category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

North Texas notches four medals: That and more from the 2018 GABF

Thursday night at the Great American Beer Festival (Photo © 2018 Brewers Association).

This year, the official coming of fall brought with it the conclusion of the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Held, as always, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, the competition portion of the program involved the evaluation of over 8500 beers spread across 102 different categories. In other words, many beers were consumed and many medals were awarded (306 to be exact) at this annual celebration of great American beer.

A total of 18 medals found their way into the hands of brewers from the Lone Star State, with four of those going to breweries from North Texas. Locals landing on the winners list were 903 Brewers, Bankhead Brewing Co., Oak Highlands Brewery and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. Within that group, Bankhead and Oak Highlands snagged GABF medals for the first time, while 903 Brewers scored its second overall prize. And Rahr & Sons? That brewery now has six notches on its GABF belt, with the brewery's seasonal Oktoberfest receiving accolades for the third time in four years (priors: 2015 - gold, 2017 - silver).

903 Brewers, Sherman: Bronze for Kilt Switch in the

Scotch Ale category (Photo © 2018 Brewers Association).

Bankhead Brewing Co., Rowlett: Silver for Hoofer's Hef in the

South German-Style Hefeweizen category (Photo © 2018 Brewers Association).

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas: Bronze for Oktoberfest in the

German-Style Maerzen category (Photo © 2018 Brewers Association).

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth: Gold for Oktoberfest in the

German-Style Maerzen category (Photo © 2018 Brewers Association).

As for other notable topics from this year's event and beyond, an additional note or two on the competition is provided below, along with my usual roundup of visits to breweries in and around the Denver area.

Cheers!

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Haze craze not just a phase

Much has been made of the seemingly meteoric rise in popularity of hazy and/or juicy IPAs, and the subject was front and center at the beginning of this year's awards ceremony. Competition Director, Chris Swersey, opened the show with the previously-revealed news that "Juicy or India Pale Ale" was the most-entered category of the competition, having knocked "American-Style India Pale Ale" from the top spot for the first time since 2002. This, Swersey suggested, was proof positive that haze isn't just a phase, and that perhaps its time for detractors to stop dissing the style.

Not a banner day for Blue Ribbon and its ilk

As far as I can tell, no "big" beers won a medal for the first time ever. There was no Miller, no Coors (or MillerCoors), no Anheuser Busch, and no Pabst to be found among winners in the Light Lager/Malt Liquor or Cream Ale categories. Pabst Blue Ribbon won medals in 2016 and 2017 for "American-Style Lager or Malt Liquor," but this year's honorees were all independent American brewers. One was even unsung, literally, as Unsung Brewing Co. of Tustin, Ca., nabbed a bronze for a lager called Lumino.

The ABGB is a shining star in Austin

If you're like me, and have yet to check out Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., it might be time to put "The ABGB" at the top of your to-visit list. The Austin brewpub and its crew have now been named "Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year" for the third year in a row, an accomplishment that has to be among the most impressive feats ever achieved by a Texas-based brewing operation.

Taproom Trips

Left: Enjoy views of Jefferson Park while sipping on brews at Briar Common.
Right: Steps away from Mile High Stadium, Little Machine is the perfect place for a pregame pint.
(Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Just north of Mile High Stadium, the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Denver is home to Briar Common Eatery + Brewery and Little Machine Beer. Briar Common is a brewpub with ten beers on tap and a full kitchen serving lunch and dinner, while Little Machine is a robot-themed brewery with great variety that sits little more than a stone's throw from the stadium parking lot.

Left: WeldWerks' taproom boasts over 30 taps, with popular styles balanced by the occasional classic.
Right: Custom cars and craft beer combine to create virtual man cave at Mash Lab Brewing.
(Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Many make the pilgrimage to WeldWerks Brewing in Greeley for its array of hazy IPAs,  sour beers and flavorful stouts. And, while I would encourage fans of those types of beers to make the trip, I might also suggest a stop at Mash Lab Brewing in nearby Windsor. The selection is straightforward, but the beer is good and you can't beat the atmosphere, considering Mash Lab shares space with a nationally-recognized hot rod shop. Only a glass wall separates the two businesses, which means you can enjoy a beer while ogling over custom cars being crafted next door.

Left: Besides being a shrine to diminutive spirits, The Grateful Gnome is a place for beer and house-made sandwiches.
Right: Enter the alley behind Grateful Gnome to find the entrance to De Steeg / Blind Faith Brewing.
(Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

I tend to seek out brewery clusters when traveling, and the Berkeley neighborhood in northwest Denver is a section of town that offers exactly that. Three brewing operations representing four different brands inhabit the area, with the total walking distance between them being roughly a block.

The name tells the story at The Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery, a spot which exists on the same alley as the dual-branded operation, De Steeg/Blind Faith Brewing. Diversity of style is what you'll find at the Gnome and De Steeg, while Blind Faith focuses on beers brewed in the Belgian monastic tradition.

Just down the way, food options are also in play at Call to Arms Brewing Co. (not pictured), thanks to Mas Kaos Pizzeria + Taqueria being located in the same building. As for the brewery's taproom, it's a vibrant and inviting space reminiscent of an old English pub.

Left: Beer and books are brought together at Fiction Beer Company.
Right: Dry Dock - North Dock is the brewery/taproom closest to Denver International Airport.
(Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Literary references are omnipresent at Fiction Beer Co., where bound volumes surround patrons seated in the taproom. Offerings of "liquid literature" are broken down by genre on the brewery's menu, with beers falling into the categories of Classics, Adventure and Fantasy.

Located one exit east of the entrance to Denver International Aiprort, Dry Dock Brewing Co. - North Dock is the place to go for one last beer before catching a flight back home. North Dock is a secondary production facility for the Aurora-based company, with a bit of contract brewing done in house as well.

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For more on the 2018 GABF and the historical performance of breweries from North Texas, click the links below:

• Official press release from the Brewers Association, with a summary of 2018 festival statistics.
• Download a complete list of 2018 winners in PDF form.
• View a historical chronicle of awards won by North Texas breweries at GABF and the World Beer Cup.

North Texas breweries land 13 medals at 2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship

Image credit:
U.S. Open Beer Championship

Winners were announced today for the 2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship, with the results showing seven North Texas breweries to be among those earning recognition.

According to a press release, breweries from Vermont to Vietnam sent in more than 6,000 beers representing over 100 different styles for evaluation in this year's competition. Just like in prior years, the event was open to both professional brewers and award-winning homebrewers.

As far as the 2017 performance of North Texas breweries goes, first-time winners at this year's competition include Bankhead Brewing Co. of Rowlett and HopFusion Ale Works of Fort Worth. Their wins are included in the list below, along with other local breweries, each of which has brought home at least one medal from the U.S. Open in the past (a complete list of winners may be found by clicking here).


903 Brewers

• Bronze for Sasquatch in the American Stout category

Bankhead Brewing Co.

• Silver for Highway 1 in the Bohemian Pilsner category.

HopFusion Ale Works

• Silver for Fur Slipper in the Cream Stout category.
• Silver for Feisty Blonde in the Honey Beer category.
• Bronze for Hairpin in the Rye/Roggen Beer category.

Lakewood Brewing Co.

• Silver for All Call in the English Summer Ale category.
• Silver for Sin Mint Temptress in the Experimental Beer category.

Peticolas Brewing Co.

• Silver for Sledgehammer in the American Barley Wine category.
• Silver for Velvet Hammer in the Imperial Red Ale category.
• Bronze for Irish Goodbye in the Irish Red Ale category.

Rabbit Hole Brewing Co.

• Gold for 10/6 in the English Pale Ale category.
• Gold for Off With Your Red in the Imperial Red Ale category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

• Gold for The Regulator in the Doppel/Strong Bock category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Have a beer on the Bankhead highway

Bankhead is the second brewing operation to take up residence in Rowlett (© Brian Brown/Beer In Big D).

Bringing forth the first brewpub in the city, Bankhead Brewing Co. is now open in Downtown Rowlett.

Ryan Pyle and Kevin Lefere are partners in the venture, which gets its name from an early cross-country roadway that had a stretch that ran through Downtown Rowlett. The Bankhead Highway, as it was known, was conceived in 1916 with the goal of connecting east-to-west with endpoints in San Diego, California, and Washington, D.C. It reached Rowlett in 1921, over 30 years before the city itself was incorporated in 1952.

As for Bankhead, the brewpub, it sits in the shadow of a historic water tower on Main Street. It's also mere minutes from the city's downtown Dart station which, along with developments like the Village of Rowlett, makes it part of a long-term revitalization effort that seeks to reshape the city center into a "vibrant, transit-oriented district where citizens and visitors work, play and live."

The brewpub is located adjacent to Rowlett's Historic Water Tower (© Brian Brown/Beer In Big D).

History and Bankhead's place in Rowlett's master plan aside, though, what's likely most important to readers of this blog is what the brewpub has to offer when it comes to beer. On that note, anyone looking to try a flight, half-pint or even a pint should go in expecting beers that are crafted by the book and brewed to style. And, let's not forget malty. A west-coast IPA is still to come, but other than a hoppy brown, the bulk of Bankhead's current offerings are malt-forward, though an ESB does feature what the brewpub accurately describes as an "approachable bitterness."

Sometimes one taster tray just isn't enough (© Brian Brown/Beer In Big D).

In fact, all of Bankhead's beers are right on the money when compared against tasting notes provided on the everyday menu. Still, for those that have yet to make the trip to the area's newest brewing operation, here's a rundown of the brewpub's lineup. The work of both Pyle and brewer Chad Moshier, what you'll find are beers of American, English and German origin with names that reference automobiles and alcohol.

• Devil Wagon - Munich Helles Lager (4.4% ABV, 20 IBU): Some called automobiles devil wagons in the early 1900s, so the name of this beer fits in well with Bankhead's 1920s rustic-style atmosphere. As for the beer, it's a lightly sweet easy drinker, with grainy undertones and a dry finish.
• Back Seat Driver - American Blonde Ale (4.8% ABV, 25 IBU): While few would argue that back seat drivers can be annoying, this light and refreshing blond ale couldn't have been more pleasant. It's malty with maybe a hint of fruit and almost no bitterness on the back end.
• Gussy Up - American Raspberry Wheat (5.0% ABV, 19 IBU): Appropriately named, since it was the only somewhat fanciful offering on the board, this beer's subtle fruit infusion paired well with its grainy wheat base flavor.
• Hoofer's Hef - Bavarian Hefeweizen (5.3% ABV, 12 IBU): A straight-forward hefeweizen, Hoofer's hits on the expected notes of banana and clove that are typical of the style.
• Giggle Water - Vienna Lager (4.4% ABV, 20 IBU): With its clean feel and tasty toasted malt flavors, this was probably my favorite beer on the board. It's also low in strength, which means there's probably not enough "giggle water" (i.e. alcohol) in this beer to make you giggle much after a single pint.
• Struggle Buggy - English ESB (6.5% ABV, 43 IBU): According to Google, the phrase "struggle buggy" has origins in the 1920s and has something to do with getting rambunctious in a car's rumble seat. Be that as it may, drinking the beer is far from a struggle based on the aforementioned approachable bitterness.
• Janet's Brown - American Brown Ale (6.8% ABV, IBU): I'm not sure who Janet is, but whoever she is...she must like hops. That said, this is a brown ale that shows its American influence by way of the hoppy character, which tips the balance a bit away from the mostly caramel malt backbone.

Bankhead Brewing Co.
3840 Main Street
Rowlett