May the schwarzbier with you: Rabbit Hole releasing latest Bluebonnet brew

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

Continuing a tradition started in 2016, Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin will again release a commercial batch of an award-winning brew from the country's largest single-site home brewing competition, the Bluebonnet Brew-Off.

Skroob's Black Lager (4.53% ABV) is a German-style schwarzbier with a name that references Spaceballs, and a well-known line from the film, "May the Schwartz be with you." Featuring hints of chocolate and dark roasted malt, the beer is based off a recipe created by Robert Brown, who competed in the 2017 edition of the Bluebonnet as a member of the Houston-based Foam Rangers Homebrew Club.

In terms of awards, Brown's creation won gold in the Dark European Lager category during last year's competition, while also ranking third for Best of Show. As for Brown himself, he has taken his talents overseas, and is now the head brewer at 7 Bridges Brewing Co. in Viet Nam.

It'll be here in North Texas, though, where Skroob's Black Lager will make its debut, tapping first at the 2018 Bluebonnet. Now in its 32nd year, the event will take place Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel. From there, the beer will be distributed in limited quantities, being made available on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Rabbit Hole bottling School of Bock

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

For just the second time in the company's three-year history, Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin will package one of its beers in hand-numbered 22-ounce bottles.

School of Bock (13.5% ABV, 30 IBU) is the product of the brewery's ongoing sponsorship of the annual Brewbonnet Brew-Off Homebrew Competition. Each year, Rabbit Hole selects an award-winning  beer from the event and tags it for a small-batch production run. This year, the spotlight falls on an eisbock created by long-time homebrewer, Brian "Schooly" Schoolcraft.

The beer itself is described as "an intensely rich, malty German lager with a smooth, sweet finish and a significant alcohol punch." It's brewed with a mix of four malt varieties and two types of hops, but it's said that Munich malt character is what dominates both flavor and aroma.

Look for School of Bock to appear on tap and at local retailers after first launching at the 2017 Bluebonnet, happening on March 25. The release will be extremely limited, with kegs being made available to select accounts and roughly 750 bottles to be produced.

Rabbit Hole Pro-Am(ber) to debut at Bluebonnet

Image courtesy of
Rabbit Hole Brewing Co.

If you're a craft beer lover in North Texas and not familiar with the Bluebonnet Brew-Off, you probably should be. Now in its 30th year, the Bluebonnet is the largest single-site homebrew competition in the country. And, while it focuses on the hobbyist, the event brings together both professional and amateur brewers in a celebration of the beer community like no other in our local area.

Part of that community aspect involves collaboration, and it's something that will be on display when Rabbit Hole Brewing Co. introduces its newest beer, a joint effort between the brewery and the 2015 Bluebonnet "Best in Show" winner David Toups.

Bluebonnet XXIX Pro-Am(ber) is based off of Toups' award-winning recipe for an American-style amber ale, and both he and Rabbit Hole are hoping it's a product that proves that these types of beers are flavorful and not boring. Described as having "a candy-like maltiness, with generous citrus and tropical fruit notes," Pro Am(ber) is said to be "bold enough to stand up and scream 'Session Me!' and subtle enough to allow you to do so."

Pro-Am(ber) will make its debut during this year's Bluebonnet as part of the annual Tasting Glass Evaluation Clinic, which happens Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. After that, it will be available on tap at the brewery and select draft accounts around the Metroplex.

Regarding the event itself, other attractions at the 2016 Bluebonnet Brew-Off include a pub crawl, the People's Choice Competition and a keynote address to be delivered by Vinnie Cirluzo, co-founder of Russian River Brewing Co. Tickets for the event, which goes on March 11-12, range from $30-$40pp and can be purchased at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-30th-annual-bluebonnet-brew-off-tickets-20302655790

29th Annual Bluebonnet Brew-Off to be held March 20-21

Image credit: Bluebonnet Brew-Off

After having long been established as one of the largest homebrew competitions in the country, the Bluebonnet Brew-Off returns for its twenty-ninth year on March 20-21.

For years, the Bluebonnet has staged their annual get-together at a local hotel. This year, however, the festivities will be held at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. According to a press release, the move was made in response to the "recent growth of interest in homebrewing and local craft beer. The change in venue should allow many more visitors to enjoy the event, with greater participation from both local and national craft brewers, [as well as] beer-related vendors."

Activities associated with the Bluebonnet include technical discussions, pub crawls, the ever-popular Commercial Beer Sampling and a keynote address by Justin Crossley of The Brewing Network. This all leads up to the Competition Awards Ceremony, which occurs on Saturday evening. In addition, this year the Rabbit Hole Brewing Company has been named the Official Brewery of the 2015 Bluebonnet Brew-Off. In honor of this recognition, the Justin-based brewery will brew and release a commercial batch of the beer named Best in Show.

Tickets for the Friday night Commercial Beer Sampling and keynote speaker are $25, which includes a commemorative tasting glass and program. A full weekend ticket, which adds access to most things going on Saturday, may be purchased for $35. For more information, or to get your tickets, visit the official website at www.bluebonnetbrewoff.org.

Attendees may also book accommodations for a special rate at the nearby Dallas Marriott Las Colinas. Rooms are available for $101/night, but you must make reservations by Wednesday, March 4. Click here for a link to the online reservations page.