A look at 2024 North Texas production numbers

Click to enlarge.

This is an update of the annual breakdown of brewery sizes in North Texas, with 2024 production data added as reported to the Brewers Association and published in the May/June 2025 issue of The New Brewer.

Note, not all brewing companies provide their numbers, and some report statistics combining multiple locations. Data also includes production from breweries that closed during the course of 2024, but ignores production from companies whose output was consolidated and moved out of state (Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Revolver Brewing). 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- and mid-size brewery tiers in North Texas, based on production (shown alphabetically):

     Large

• Community Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.

     Mid-Size

• Four Corners Brewing Co. of Dallas.
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
• Tupps Brewery of McKinney.
• Twin Peaks Brewing Co. of Irving.
  
  

Tier movement

• Advancing from "Very Small" to "Small" tier: Armor Brewing Co. of Allen, Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina.

Year-to-year production change

• At 55%, just over half of the breweries in North Texas reported a drop in production during 2024.
• Overall production in North Texas was down roughly 3% for those reporting in 2023 and 2024. This number does not include contributions from Deep Ellum or Revolver.
• Comparison: Craft beer volume was down 4% nationally in 2024, according to the Brewers Association.

Significant year-to-year production gains (based on those reporting in 2023 and 2024)

• For the third year in a row, Manhattan Project had the largest year-to-year gain in raw barrels produced locally for 2024. Their sales have increased 5X since 2019, and they are now the area's largest producer.
• The largest year-to-year percentage gains for brewing companies with production greater than 1000 barrels were realized by (alphabetically) Armor Brewing Co. of Allen, Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas, Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina, and Union Bear Brewing Co. of Denton/Plano.

Toasty Bros. a place for pints and paintings in Denton

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Six years after first debuting its brand, Toasty Bros. has a place to call its own with the opening of a permanent location for its brewery, taproom and art gallery at 104 N. Bell Ave. in Denton.

Toast Tiensvold launched Toasty Bros. in March 2019 with the release of Damage Dealer Double Stout. Since then, that beer and others have been brewed at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine through an alternating proprietorship agreement. All the while, the path to self-sufficiency has been in the making, the last leg of the journey starting when a lease was signed on the Bell Ave. building around three years ago.

Speaking of the new home of Toasty Bros., the business sets up in a former auto repair shop complete with front-facing roll-top doors. There's roughly 1500 square feet of space to work with, a little more than half of that devoted to the taproom.

And inside, it's unquestionably cozy, with earth tones on the walls and natural wood tabletops in the seating area. Then there's the bar installation, which has barrel staves forming the foundation for a bar top featuring wood planks framing a neon blue light centerpiece. Add to all that the surrounding gallery of original paintings, and you've got what amounts to a neighborhood tavern turned artistic oasis.

On the beer, house recipes pour from 12 taps, with selections like Bäkéneko Black IPA, Earl the Orange Alien Dessert Stout, Experience Points Porter, Random Number Generator DIPA, Rock Philosopher Undead Ale and others joining Damage Dealer on the current menu. Future offerings will be borne out of a three-barrel system on site, maintaining the small-batch approach Toasty Bros. has touted from the outset.

As for other amenities, sodas and bottled water are kept on hand for those not imbibing. There's also a dart board if you need a competitive diversion, and charging outlets are installed just below the bar for anyone needing to give their phone or tablet a battery boost while enjoying their beer.

Looking back on past coverage, fostering local pride has always been a focus for Toasty Bros. (the phrase is in the logo), and opening a taproom someday in Denton was the goal from its earliest days. Now that the ambition has been realized, fans of the brewery can celebrate the arrival of the city's newest craft beer destination.

Stop in and raise a glass with Toasty Bros. five days a week, with hours beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. on Sunday and Monday.

2024 Year in review: North Texas industry perseveres despite down year

All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

The intro to this year's annual review piece is probably going to sound a little bit like a broken record - times are tough and growth is stagnant, with brewery owners doing any and everything they can to stay afloat.

Ask a local owner how things are going, and you get responses like "we're just barely breaking even," or "we've literally never made a profit." That, or there's a note of exasperation with a shake of the head and a shrug, followed by "I'm running a craft brewery." Even worse, "Man, every week, we're just trying to make it to the next Monday."

These are actual conversations had in the last 12 months. Yet, the industry continues to persevere in the face of ongoing difficulties. The bottom still hasn't fallen out despite accelerated closures, but that's only because new openings have been just enough to keep things in balance since 2021.

Whether or not that continues will be something to watch. For 2024, closings outnumbered openings for the second time in three years. That, and there were only four openings - the fewest since 2011, the origin point of the modern craft beer boom locally. And while there are more than a dozen new projects in the works, the development cycle has been a lengthy one for more than a few, leading to uncertainty as to when they'll actually open.

Of course, breweries aren't the only entities struggling, as evidenced by double-digit closures of craft beer-centric bars and growler shops across D-FW in 2024 (see a list provided later in the article). Those calling it quits are citing many of the same reasons behind brewery closures - rising costs, rising rents, and other factors being at the forefront of decisions to fold.

So, how best to navigate the market going forward? In its own 2024 Year in Beer post, the Brewers Association points to things like brand differentiation, a renewed focus on successful product lines (after years of pushing diversification), and being mindful of the overall customer experience.

Even then, uncertainties abound, which leads to the "adapt or die" refrain all over again, but brewery owners would probably be the first to tell you they've been pivoting almost daily since before the pandemic.

As for consumers, the message should be clear - support your local bars and breweries today, so you're not lamenting their loss tomorrow.

Now, more on the 2024 year in beer...

The Business of Beer - Local Dealings

Something else the Brewers Association mentions is the increasing likelihood of consolidations and strategic alliances. Locally, we've had breweries make deals to tap into excess capacity at other locales, but a full-on merger like that of three Houston breweries over the summer hasn't come to pass here.

What we have seen, though, is how breweries can get passed around like trading cards when it comes to large-scale buyouts. Last year, the owners of Four Corners Brewing Co. regained control of their Dallas-based brewery after being acquired by Constellation Brands in 2018. Unfortunately, a different fate has befallen the area's two other acquisition targets.

Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas, which joined CANarchy in 2018, was part of a package sold to Monster Energy in early 2022. Then, in May of this year, Monster ceased local operations in favor of moving production to a facility out of state.

Then, there's the case of Revolver Brewing of Granbury. After a majority interest in the brewery was sold to MillerCoors in 2016, the big beer boys passed the brewery on to Tilray Brands in September. Tilray, however, seems to have its sights set on the THC-infused beverage space, which leaves Revolver's future in doubt.

Moving on to other dealings, even in a tough market there were a number of expansions in 2024. 

From the roster of North Texas brewing operations, Tupps Brewery completed its move to a larger facility in Downtown McKinney in February, while Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano finalized an expansion with a July opening of its new Denton taproom, where production had begun late in 2023.

Among local retailers expanding their reach, Civil Pour Coffee & Beer raised a new "Ruckus" in Richardson and The Old Monk established a new presence in Oak Cliff.

Out-of-state retail companies made moves as well, with The Brass Tap of Florida upping its area franchise count to 13 with openings in Euless and McKinney, Hoppin' of North Carolina introducing its self-pour taproom concept to Fort Worth and Grapevine, and Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania adding spots in Plano and Fort Worth (the latter closed after only a few months).

The area's one notable contraction came to light just recently, as Fort Brewery & Pizza is closing its restaurant and taproom in Fort Worth to focus on production and distribution only.

What's in store for 2025 (or later)? Union Bear is opening a restaurant (sans brewing operations) in McKinney, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina has begun work on their new headquarters in Frisco, 903 Brewers of Sherman has taken out a lease on a satellite spot in Denison, Parker County Brewing Co. is moving across I-30 to a larger locale in Willow Park, Edgewise Eight Brewing has a new spot coming soon in Weatherford, and Bosque River Taphouse has a permanent location in the works for Stephenville.

There are also rumblings of an expansion or a second location being considered by Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas. This, after consecutive years of having the largest reported year-to-year gain in raw barrels produced in North Texas.

Finally, Voodoo Brewing Co. looks to continue its occupation of North Texas with taprooms in Prosper and Lewisville.

The Business of Beer - Statewide Statistics 

According to 2023 economic updates provided by the Brewers Association, Texas produced nearly 1.52 million barrels of beer last year (up from 1.3 million), the state continuing to rank fourth in production nationally. On total brewery count compared to 2022, Texas had 445 breweries (up from 407), with 2.1 breweries per capita (up from 1.9) - ranking 48th nationally (down a notch from 47th).

For 2024, preliminary numbers based on personal tracking show there were only around 30 new brewery openings across Texas (down from 60+ in 2023), with 35 or more closures (down slightly from 39 in 2023).

Numbers for total economic impact in 2023 were up as well, Texas ranking third nationally (steady) while contributing over $5.25 billon to the economy (up from 4.55 billion). Then, with regards to employment, statistics show 28,543 full-time equivalent workers were employed by the state's brewing industry during 2023 (up from 27,000), with the average wage being $49,312 (up from $47,237).

Image/Data: Brewers Association.

Comings and Goings

The overall brewery count in North Texas didn't see significant movement up or down for the third year in a row, with four openings and seven closings and/or consolidations taking place in 2024.

A couple of notes...

Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney is included in the list of permanent closures for 2024. Social media posts suggest plans to move the business after shuttering the McKinney site in February, but the company filed for bankruptcy in October.

Also, one retroactive change involves adding Brew Aleworks of Granbury to the closure count for 2023. The company closed its taproom and restaurant in November 2023 to focus solely on production and distribution. This involved entering into a joint proprietorship with Revolver Brewing of Granbury, but as of now a related TABC application has not been approved.

With that, there are now 88 active brewing operations in North Texas after taking into account the already announced 2025 closure of Barley & Board in Denton. Adding side projects and subtracting licenses for breweries with multiple locations, 85 different brands of local beer are available in the market.

On the horizon: Acre Distilling of Fort Worth (adding brewing operations), Balanced Rock Brewing of The Colony, Bearded Ax Brewery of Midlothian, East Dallas Brewing Co. of Dallas, La Hermana Cerveceria at Far-Out Dallas (formerly Wriggly Tin), Forney Brewing Co. of Forney, Landon Winery of Gainesville (by way of Greenville production space), Palo Pinto Brewing Co. of Strawn, Smittox Brewing Co. of Dallas, Toasty Bros. of Denton (permanent location), Village Creek Brewing Co. of Rendon...and others.

Openings:

• Black Hawk Brewery, Prosper.
• Glen Echo Brewing, Wylie.
• Three Wide Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Uptown Rail Brewery, Sanger.

New Locations (not counted as a new opening):

• Tupps Brewery, McKinney.

New Taprooms (not counted as a brewery opening):

• Union Bear Brewing Co., Denton (included in 2023 count, production began last year).
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Plano.

Temporary Closures:

• Edgewise Eight Brewing, Weatherford - moving to new location.

Permanent Closures:

• Barley & Board, Denton (will be included in 2025 count).
• By the Horns Brewing, Mansfield.
• Franconia Brewing Co., McKinney.
• Funky Picnic Brewery & Café, Fort Worth.
• Happy Hippie Brewing Co., Richardson.
• Neutral Ground Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Wriggly Tin, Dallas.

Consolidations:

• Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Dallas (parent Monster Energy moving production out of state).

Taproom Closures (not counted as a brewery closure).

• Voodoo Brewing Co., Fort Worth.

Source: Individual research.

The Year in Beer 

• A timeline of heady local headlines
  
  January - Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth enlists 6th Ave. Storytelling to help with brand refresh ahead of 20th anniversary. The goal being to "share their journey from the past to the present while casting a vision for their future growth and evolution."
  
  January - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland expands its education efforts by partnering with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) on a curriculum designed to educate the next generation of brewing talent.
  
  February - Maple Branch Craft Brewery of Fort Worth brings home prize for Brewery of the Year in the Under 600-bbl Group at the 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, the professional beer competition put on annually by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
  
  February - Guitars & Growlers, a music-centric craft beer bar and restaurant, taps Outfit Brewing of Dallas to create a line of house beers to be served at the company's three DFW-area locations.
  
  April - North Texans gather to take in a rare total solar eclipse, with over a dozen area breweries crafting special dark beers for the occasion.
  
  April - Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth begins producing Heim Lite for Heim BBQ (both companies fall under the same ownership umbrella). The new beer is available at all area Heim locations.
  
  May - Fritz Rahr, founder of Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, reveals cancer battle. He returned to work at the brewery bearing his name after two years fighting the disease.
  
  May - 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton/Anna unveils new logo. The updated design is meant to symbolize the changes happening at 3 Nations, and to reflect the company's "commitment to ensuring our beers are of the highest quality."
  
  May - Community Beer Co. of Dallas reveals its head brewer is now sober, something which happens to align perfectly with the uptick in demand for non-alcoholic beers.
  
  June - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland teams with Andy's Frozen Custard of Missouri to create the world's largest beer float. The record-breaking result was realized using 50 scoops of Andy's frozen custard and 75 pints of The Temptress, Lakewood's popular imperial milk stout.
  
  June - With the announcement of a new signature event in October, Cloud 9 Charities ends the 11-year run of Best Little Brewfest in Texas.  
  
  August - Ivanhoe Ale Works of Denison debuts new logo and outlook for upcoming 10th anniversary. The brewery worked with Climer Design to develop visuals with a retro and nostalgic vibe "that would honor the original logo and continue to fit the setting of this brewery housed in a vintage movie theater."
  
  August- Vector Brewing of Dallas expands hours and offerings, now providing breakfast and lunch service.
  
  August -  Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co. of Plano becomes the exclusive draft beer provider for Legacy Hall.
  
  September - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland creates sweet and savory special release for State Fair of Texas. The brewery's Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale was made to pair with a cotton candy syrup-glazed bacon-on-a-stick offering from Rousso Concessions.
  
  September - Rollertown Beerworks of Celina collaborates with Dallas-based metal band Drowning Pool on a Czech dark lager named Revolution. The beer gets its name from the band's newest single.
  
  October - Local supplier of raw ingredients and supplies to professional brewers nationwide, Pro Brew Supply, expands to larger facility in Fort Worth.
  
  October - Celestial Beerworks of Dallas one of over 240 national breweries to participate in the Pouring for Neighbors initiative supporting relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The brewery released Fresh Start, a wet hop hazy IPA, in late October, with a dollar from every pint sold going directly to the cause.
  
  November - Three beers from Vector Brewing of Dallas among those featured in the Best in Beer 2024 issue of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine. Their creations were reviewed alongside other funky, wild and sour beers.
  
  November - Hop & Sting Brewing Co. collaborating with Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q on a new beer to be sold at the restaurant's new, permanent location opening in Allen in 2025. Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q Light Lager is said to pair well with "Good Friends and Great Food."
  
  December - Hop Culture names Vector Brewing of Dallas one of The 11 Best Breweries of 2024.
  
  December - Locust Cider of Washington closes Fort Worth taproom, a location it opened in October 2018.
  
  December - Texas Longhouse Meadery opens for business in Wylie.
  
  
• In Memoriam
  
  The year in beer began on a very sad note, as two local industry figures passed away within days of each other in March.
  
  Charlie Pelletier was a staunch supporter of craft beer in North Texas, especially for those who followed the industry in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. He was the ever-present admin of the Facebook group, Fort Worth Craft Beer. Two local breweries created beers in his honor: Celestial Beerworks of Dallas released Charlie, a hazy IPA in April, followed by Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth with Cheers Charlie, a fruited gose, in May.
  
  Dave Kirk was the co-founder of White Rock Alehouse & Brewery and White Rock Brewing Co. of Dallas. White Rock brewed and released Dave's Heavenly Pils in rememberance of him in May.
  
  Their deaths remind us that craft beer is more than just a beverage or brand, indeed... "Craft Beer is People."
  
  
• List of bar and growler shop closings in 2024
  
  Pour one out for these craft beer-centric venues.
  
  Beer Geeks, Fate.
  Bluffview Growler, Dallas.
  Bubble & Squeak Craft Beer & Wine, Forney.
  City Works, Frisco.
  Cork & Growler, Frisco (opening new spot in Prosper).
  Craft Beer Cellar, Dallas.
  Guitars & Growlers, McKinney.
  Kegs & Mugs, Lewisville.
  Rugby House, Plano.
  T&P Tavern, Fort Worth.


• Ten- and Twenty-year toasts
  
  Those reaching the 10-year anniversary milestone in 2024 included Malai Kitchen of Dallas (brewing operations added in 2014 after originally opening the restaurant in 2011), and Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth. And 20 years? That would be Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth. A look at what each was serving in their very early days:
  
  Malai Kitchen: Bia Hoi Vietnamese Lager, Thai-PA.
  Panther Island Brewing: Allergeez American Pale Wheat Ale, Boom Summer Blonde, Real Good Cream Ale.
  Rahr & Sons: Rahr's Blonde, Texas Red.
  
  Celebrating 10 years in 2025: 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton, Bitter Sisters Brewing Co. of Addison, Division Brewing of Arlington, Four Bullets Brewery of Richardson, Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery of Garland, Ivanhoe Ale Works of Denison, Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas, On Rotation of Dallas, Texas Ale Project of Dallas, Tupps Brewery of McKinney.
  
  
• North Texas award winners: Click here for listings of award-winning beers from 2024, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Texas Craft Brewers Cup, United States Beer Tasting Championship, U.S. Open Beer Championship, Best of Craft Beer Awards, Craft Beer Marketing Awards, and Indiana Brewers' Cup.
  
  

• Preferred pours of 2024 (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed):
  
  Armor Wheat Wine
  Celestial Stare at the Sun Japanese Black Rice Lager
  False Idol Knifehead Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
  Ivanhoe Dammit Janet English Brown Ale
  Jaquval Rabble Rabble Coffee Stout
  Maple Branch Prince's Gate Smoked Amber Kellerbier
  Martin House Day Ruiner Whiskey Barrel-Aged Blonde Barleywine
  Oak Cliff Ravenator Doppelbock
  Odd Muse The Hermit Barrel-Aged American Barleywine
  On Rotation Orchard Belgian Dark Strong Ale with Plum & Apple
  Rollertown Revolution Czech Dark Lager
  Soul Fire Cleburne's Goatman Oatmeal Stout
  Tupps Red Riot Rye IPA
  Turning Point Under the Big Top Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Salted Caramel Imperial Stout
  Union Bear New Zealand Pilsner
  Vector/Smittox Collective Rhythms Coffee Cream Ale

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Barley & Board closing brewpub in Denton

Image credit: Barley & Board.

A longtime Denton brewpub is set to close its doors after the first of the year.

Barley & Board, developed by Radical Hospitality Group, debuted on the Downtown Denton Square in August 2015. The company went on to open a second restaurant in The Colony during the summer of 2021, but that locale closed as well just last month.

As the city's first gastropub, elevated food offerings were naturally a focus. But, on the topic of in-house brewing operations, Barley & Board might best be remembered for its Home Brewers League, a program where local homebrewers were invited to collaborate on the production of a commercial batch. At least two Denton-based brewery owners are League alums - Brian "Toast" Tiensvold of Toasty Bros. and Michael Velasco of Black Fox Brewing Co.

According to a social media post, Barley & Board's closure will take effect on Monday, January 6, after a decision was made not to renew the lease on the building at 101 W. Oak St.

Union Bear debuts new lair in Denton

Images: A sampler of the brewpub's Hazelnut Coffee Stout enjoyed alongside a plate
of Grown Up Chicken Tenders at Union Bear - Denton. © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano has added to its pack this week with the introduction of a new location at 221 S. Bell Ave. in Downtown Denton.

It's the next step in the evolution of a brand that's been part of the local language for more than a decade. Union Bear first appeared on the marquee of a spot in the West Village of Uptown Dallas in 2012. Those behind the original concept passed the baton to 33 Restaurant Group in mid-2014, who then sent the Bear off to hibernation for a bit before re-introducing it in Plano as part of The Boardwalk at Granite Park in January 2018.

Of course, many will remember the Denton address as the former home of Armadillo Ale Works. The folks at 33 Restaurant Group purchased the site in late 2022, with work on the 17,000 square foot facility getting underway around the middle of 2023. Renovation plans called for the installation of a full kitchen and a complete taproom overhaul, steps needed in order to bring the full brand experience to bear, if you will, in the new space.

Along those lines, fans of Union Bear Plano should feel right at home in Denton. Similar furnishings and color choices fill the interior, with one adder being a lounge area off to one side having a pool table and video games as entertainment options.

Further diversions like dart boards and cornhole setups are part of the patio outside, where a fresh coat of paint, murals and new signage adorn a building that stands out from the neighbors in its urban setting. Indeed, the exterior presents as the primary visual difference compared to Plano's suburban retail digs.

From there, similarities are also found in the food and drink. While the dining menu is maybe slightly scaled back, many familiar dishes carry over, though one change is the flatbreads at Plano swap out with hand-stretched pizza pies in Denton. That said, many flatbread-turned-pizza items share the same name and toppings.

On the topic of beer, hardware was already in place, so production actually began late last year in Denton, according to Coty Bell, director of brewing operations. Since then, a 30-barrel system has been churning out standards served at both sites like the brewpub's blonde and amber ales. Other recipes crafted by head brewers Nick Stolz (Denton) and Eric Todd (Plano) will supplement the mainstays, though Denton may see more active rotation since it has access to a smaller, five-barrel system.

In terms of availability, Bell says upwards of 20 beers will be poured daily in Denton, this number including a few taps dedicated to guest beers from neighboring breweries. Cans of select Union Bear beers are also in the works as of this week, both for distribution and to-go sales.

As for one other notable feature in Denton, efforts have been made to keep the memory of the former tenant alive. To that end, Union Bear pays homage to Armadillo Ale Works with Easter eggs hidden in the decor inside and out (these discoveries are left to the reader). This provides a sense of continuity for the Denton community and industry friends as well...and isn't community and camaraderie what this whole craft beer thing is all about?

Union Bear - Denton is open daily, with operating hours beginning at 11 a.m.

Guild and Method Architecture announce 2024 grant recipients

Image credits: Texas Craft Brewers Guild, Method Architecture,
Toasty Bros., Village Creek Brewing Co.

Recipients have been announced for the fourth year of a grant program awarding aspiring craft brewers with membership in the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.

Grantees listed below will receive a one year "Brewery in Planning" membership - a $300 value - in the trade association that represents small and independent craft breweries in the Lone Star State. These grants are funded by Method Architecture, a Texas-based firm that's also a longtime member of the Guild.

2024 Grantees:

Cottonwood Creek Brewery & Smokehouse - Hutto
Point City Brewing Co. - Houston
Toasty Bros. - Denton
Village Creek Brewing Co. - Rendon
Weber Brewing - Victoria

More on the two projects hailing from North Texas...

Toasty Bros., Denton

• Founded by Toast Tiensvold, Toasty Bros. has been active in North Texas since debuting its first commercial beer in March 2019. From that point on, the company's beers have been produced as part of an alternating proprietorship agreement with Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine.
  
  A permanent location is on the horizon, though, as construction is currently underway on an existing 1200 square foot space at 104 N. Bell Ave. in Denton. Pop-up events are a regular occurrence on site, as Toasty Bros. continues to raise funds as it works towards opening.

Village Creek Brewing Co., Rendon

• Art and Sunny Anderson began working to bring Village Creek Brewing Co. to fruition in early 2019. They first appeared on the local radar in April of that year after participating in LUCKapolooza V at LUCK in Trinity Groves.
  
  By early 2020, they had secured a 4.7-acre site at 6670 Levy County Line Rd. in Rendon, where they've been building a brewery from the ground up ever since.

Click here for the full press release from the Guild.

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.

2023 Year in review: Record movement in and around The Metroplex

All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Let there be no doubt, it's been a dynamic and challenging year in the North Texas beer industry, with new highs recorded in both openings and closings among the roster of local breweries. The news isn't all bad, but it isn't good either, as breweries on the cusp have gone public with struggles and even resorted to fundraisers in an effort to stay afloat.

Taking stock, an increase in closures shouldn't come as a surprise. For several years, market headwinds have been a hot topic of discussion in industry groups, with the Brewers Association at the forefront sounding the alarm.

What's causing the headwinds? In addition to the after-effects of the pandemic, the BA points to slowing demand, declines in draft sales, and reduced shelf space for craft beer at retailers. Increasing competition exacerbated by the influx of other alcohol segments is certainly playing a role across the board, but the draft and retail bits have been a factor for some time. These being a catalyst to the rise of taprooms and the push for passage of beer to go legislation.

Locally, reasons for closing have mostly centered around the familiar refrain of the pandemic's influence on inflation, the supply chain, and staff retention. Increased operating costs aggravated by rising rents have convinced some to decline lease renewals, while undercapitalization and a general lack of local support have contributed to the demise of others.

Given the choppy waters, what maybe is surprising is the continued momentum behind new projects. Some current owners say they never would have opened a brewery if met with today's market environment at startup. Even still, a new breed of undeterred entrepreneurs appears ready to take on the difficulties of a crowded market in the midst of a flat growth period.

And there, perhaps, is an important point. Some see the rate of closures and start talking shakeout, but so far this isn't like how the bubble burst on the brewpub era of the late 1990s. In that case, the number of breweries in North Texas dropped by half over the course of five years, with no one waiting in the wings to fill the gaps. This was followed by an extended period of industry stagnation.

Right now, things have simply leveled off after a decade of continual growth, with openings and closings offsetting. So, will the trend continue, will the number of wort wranglers rise again, or is there a reckoning still to come? Pundits will have their predictions, but only time will tell.

With that, let's dive into more details on the 2023 year in beer.

The Business of Beer - Local Dealings

In response to the headwinds, the BA has suggested a need to innovate, while also engaging in strategies to reach new and existing customers with new flavors and new experiences. Indeed, as we've seen in recent times (and past year in review articles) local breweries have been doing just that since before the pandemic.

For example, most locals have explored new flavors beyond beer, like hard seltzer, hop water and kombucha. A list of items introduced in 2023 would include Society Spirits - an in-house small-batch spirits program at Community Beer Co. of Dallas, the expanded line of branded spirits (produced by a local distillery) at Rollertown Beerworks of Celina, "Oh, Snap" craft sodas at HopFusion Ale Works of Fort Worth, and Palo Pinto Craft Cocktails from Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.

On new flavors in beer, it's worth mentioning a brewery that stepped far outside of its comfort zone in 2023. Four Bullets Brewery of Richardson, traditionally a maker of English-inspired ales, brewed a hazy IPA for the first time in its eight-year history. The company's Ace in the Haze IPA debuted in early December.

There's also the topic of low-ABV or non-alcoholic beers, which up to now have only been attempted by a few producers (Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Funky Picnic Brewery & Café), the latest being Turning Point Beer of Bedford, who just days ago dropped The Reverend Green, a non-alcoholic West Coast IPA.

Of course, pairing those beverages with food is another avenue for adding flavor. Among the food-service enhancements for 2023: Say When Brewing Co. of Denison began offering made-to-order pizzas in July, while Division Brewing of Arlington opened an additional spot across from its production facility, where they've been serving a menu of house-made burgers and pizza since October.

Shifting the focus to new experiences, five local brewing companies added new locations in 2023. Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano kicked off the year by announcing plans to open a restaurant-only location in McKinney sometime in 2024. This was followed by news in September surrounding the acquisition of Armadillo Ale Works' former facility in Denton. Union Bear's taproom there is still under construction, but beer production started in October.

Elsewhere, White Rock Brewing Co. of Dallas unveiled new digs off Beckley Ave. in April, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrolton opened an Anna satellite in September, Soul Fire Brewing Co. of Roanoke launched its Cleburne space in November, and Bankhead Brewing Co. added to its roster of brewpubs in Rowlett and Fort Worth with a Farmers Branch locale in December.

As for others upgrading aspects of their brand experience, Happy Hippie Brewing Co., transitioned from an alternating proprietorship at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine to its own brick-and-mortar location in Richardson, the opening act taking place there in October.

And, while it's on a smaller scale, Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery of Garland literally propped up its taproom experience with the installation of a rooftop deck. Completed in October, it's proven to be a popular spot for elevated imbibing.

Looking ahead to 2024, Glen Echo Brewing of Wylie, Black Hawk Brewery of Prosper and Three Wide Brewing of Fort Worth are weeks away from opening. The same can be said for Tupps Brewery, as they put the finishing touches on a new site in McKinney.

On the horizon: Balanced Rock Brewing of The Colony, Bearded Ax Brewery of Midlothian, Beer Geeks Brewery of Fate, East Dallas Brewing Co. of Dallas, Forney Brewing Co. of Forney, Smittox Brewing Co. of Dallas, Texas Foothills Distillery of Bowie, Toasty Bros. of Denton (permanent location) and Village Creek Brewing Co. of Rendon.

The Business of Beer - Statewide Statistics 

The 2022 economic update from the Brewers Association has Texas ranked fourth in production nationally (up from sixth in 2021), with 1.3 million barrels produced (up from 1.13 million). Statistics related to the state's total brewery count in 2022 were flat compared to 2021: 407 breweries (up from 406), 1.9 breweries per capita (down from 2) - ranking 47th (steady). 

On total economic impact, Texas was third (steady), contributing over $4.5 billion to the economy (down from $4.9 billion). The state's brewing industry employed just over 27,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 (down from 30,000), paying almost $1.3 billion in wages and benefits, with an average annual salary of $47,237 (down from 1.5 billion and $49,984).

For 2023, tracking shows nearly 60 new brewery openings across Texas (up from ~40 in 2022), with 30 or more closures (likely a low count, considering a fair percentage would be from North Texas alone).

Image/Data: Brewers Association.

Comings and Goings

In North Texas, there were 16 new openings offset by 14 closings and consolidations during 2023.

Regarding the latter number, the consolidations qualifier is used to account for acquisitions or cases where active companies have reduced their number of licensed locations. Examples include the acquisition of Grapevine Craft Brewery by Hop & Sting Brewing Co. in 2018, and the assumption of Noble Rey Brewing Co.'s portfolio by Nocona Beer & Brewery in 2019.

There's also Malai Kitchen, who consolidated brewing operations in Southlake under the new Malai Brewing moniker, after the company had previously managed other licensed locales in Dallas (expiring in 2022) and Fort Worth (expiring in 2023). Consolidations also occurred this year at White Rock Brewing Co. and Pegasus City Brewery of Dallas.

Geographically, new projects still target suburban areas, but the City of Dallas landed four developments this year - the most for "Big D" since 2018. Fort Worth, conversely, hasn't been home to a new opening for over two years. As for the future, both cities appear in the list of breweries either under construction or development, viewable by clicking the "In Development" tab at the top of the page.

Summing up the overall state of affairs entering 2024, there are now 93 active brewing operations in North Texas. After accounting for side projects and breweries with multiple locations, consumers can pick from 90 different brands of local beer in the market.

Openings:

• 3 Nations Brewing Co., Anna.
• Armor Brewing Co., Allen  (took over Nine Band Brewing Co. space).
• Bankhead Brewing Co., Farmers Branch  (took over Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery space).
• Black Fox Brewing Co., Denton  (took over Howling Mutt Brewpub space).
• Boozie's Brewery & TX Fare, Fairview.
• Bosque River Taphouse, Stephenville.
• Celestial Beerworks - The Satellite, Dallas.
• Dr. Jeckyll's Brew Lab, Pantego (added brewing operations to existing business model).
• Flix Brewhouse, Mansfield.
• Jaquval, Dallas.
• Keyworth Brewing Co., North Richland Hills.
• Soul Fire Brewing Co., Cleburne.
• Three Empires Brewing Co., Frisco.
• Union Bear Brewing Co., Denton  (producing beer, taproom in 2024, took over Armadillo Ale Works space).
• White Rock Brewing Co., Dallas.
• Wriggly Tin, Dallas.

New Locations (not counted as a new opening):

• Happy Hippie Brewing Co., Richardson

New Taprooms (not counted as a brewery opening).

• Anvil Brewing, Royse City  (satellite location for Pittsburg, Texas-based brewery).
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Grand Prairie  (franchise location for Pennsylvania-based brewery).

Permanent Closures:

• Ash & Ember Brewing, Cedar Hill.
• Big Spray Brewing, Princeton.
• Boozie's Brewery & TX Fare, Fairview.
  
• Bourbon-n-Branch Brewing Co., Hudson Oaks.
• Brutal Beerworks, North Richland Hills.
• Chambers Creek Brewing Co., Maypearl  (new ownership - ceased brewing, continuing as a bar only).
• Food Experience Corporation, Aubrey.
• Hemisphere Brewing Co., Rockwall.
• Howling Mutt Brewpub, Denton.
  
• Shannon Brewing Co., Keller.
• Walking Beam Brewing Co., Bridgeport.

Consolidations:

• Malai Kitchen, Fort Worth.
       - Consolidated operations at Malai Brewing, Southlake.
• Pegasus City Brewery Design District, Dallas.
       - Consolidated operations at Pegasus City Brewery Downtown, Dallas.
• White Rock Alehouse & Brewery, Dallas.
       - Consolidated operations at White Rock Brewing Co., Dallas.
  

Taproom Closures (not counted as a brewery closure).

• Boozie's Brewery & Gourmet Sandwiches, Fort Worth.
• Cowtown Brewing Co., Southlake.
       - Operations continue at Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
  
  

Source: Individual research.

The Year in Beer 

• A timeline of heady local headlines
  
  February - Vector Brewing of Dallas is named Brewery of the Year in the Under 600-bbl Group at the 2023 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, a professional beer competition put on annually by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
  
  March - Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania announces first franchise taproom in Texas. After the initial spot opened in Grand Prairie at the end of May, construction began on an additional pub in Plano. A third in Fort Worth is presumably also in the works.
  
  March - Tupps Brewery of McKinney pops the top on a brand refresh intended to elevate the brewery's visual look "to match the quality of our beers and our service." An official launch party celebrating the new logo and revamped can designs was held in April.
  
  April - Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth rolls out new 16-ounce cans featuring removable stickers.
  
  May - "Beer to You" bills denied hearing and Senate Committees. Led by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild and its political action committee arm, CraftPAC, this effort sought to legalize home delivery from Texas breweries.
  
  May - Constellation sells Four Corners Brewing Co. back to its founders. After purchasing the Dallas brewery in 2018, the deal with Constellation Brands allowed Four Corners to regain its independence.
  
  June - Funky co-founder achieves Advanced Cicerone status, as Collin Zreet of Funky Picnic Brewery & Café completed requirements necessary to become one of only eight to hold the rank in all of Texas.
  
  June - Horsemen rein in AHA's 2023 Radegast Club of the Year award. The Fort Worth homebrew club was honored at this year's National Homebrew Competition put on by the American Homebrewers Association.
  
  November - Johnson County Distillery brands beer side of the business as Wildbreak Brewing Co. of Cleburne. The move is intended to bring more attention to the brewing operation by way of its own identity.
  
  November - Dallas beer bar Strangeways fights to stay open, after fears it would be forced to close in October.
  
  November - False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills among Editor's Picks in Beer & Brewing Magazine. The brewery's barrel-aged stout, Ralphie Runs Wild, named one of the publication's 20 best beers of 2023.
  
  November - Brew Aleworks to focus on production and distribution after deciding to cease operation of its taproom and restaurant in Granbury.
  
  December - Revolver debuts Texas A&M co-branded beer. As part of a partnership between its parent company and Texas A&M Athletics, the Granbury brewery created Block T Blonde Ale, a beer named for a formation of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.
  
  December - North Texas collab lands on Hop Culture's 2023 best beer list. The work of False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills, 903 Brewers of Sherman and Vector Brewing of Dallas, the Hop Culture site recognized Perpetual Contortion, a barrel-aged English barleywine.
  
  

• Beer meets sportsball
  
  Local breweries produced a number of beers inspired by local college and pro sports organizations in 2023.
  
  Pony Pils from Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland: Inspired by the alma matter of founder Wim Bens, a portion of proceeds from sales will go to the LBC Future Brewer STEM Scholarship at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
  
  Hell's Half Lager from Fort Brewery and Pizza of Fort Worth: This beer was created in collaboration with local apparel company, Hell's Half Acre Stadium Goods, for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Flying T Club at Texas Christian University (TCU).
  
  The 133 Premium Pilsner from Rollertown Beerworks of Celina: Inspired by the grassroots fan group known as Rangers.Nation on Instagram, who helped cheer on the Texas Rangers' run to a World Series championship, this beer "celebrates the passion and dedication of this pioneering group of local baseball fanatics."
  
  
• Fool's Game
  
  In one of best surprise moments of the year, members of the local industry came together for a fun April Fool's Day prank. Over 15 area breweries adopted the colors and designs of others for the day, posting the resulting logos for all to enjoy.
  
  

  

  All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.
  
  

• Ten-year toasts
  
  Those reaching the 10-year anniversary milestone in 2023 included Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, and 903 Brewers of Sherman. A sampling of what each was serving on opening day in 2013:
  
  903: The Chosen One (coconut cream ale), Roo's Red (hoppy red ale).
  Community:  Pale Ale, Public Ale (ESB), Vienna Lager.
  Martin House: Day Break 4-Grain Breakfast Beer, The Imperial Texan (double red IPA), River House Saison.
  
  Celebrating 10 years in 2024: Malai Kitchen of Dallas (brewing operations now take place in Southlake), Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth.
  
  Celebrating 20 years in 2024: Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
  
  
• North Texas award winners: Click here for summaries of award-winning beers from 2023, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Texas Craft Brewers Cup, Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer, North American Brewers Association International Beer & Cider Awards, United States Beer Tasting Championship and U.S. Open Beer Championship.
  
  

• The 2023 list of Beer in Big D's preferred pours (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed): Armor Smoked Porter, Beard Science pHunky pHlemish, Celestial Sonus, False Idol Velsigne, Funky Picnic A Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw in Billy Gibbons' Voice, Martin House Obsidian Eclipse, Rollertown Dunkel, Three Empires Amber's First Time, Turning Point 2023 Barrel-Aged Stout, Vector Schützenkönig, Windmills Black Market Liver, Wriggly Tin Oro Moro.

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Black Fox now stalking just off the square in Denton

All photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Black Fox Brewing Co. of Texas has opened in the location previously occupied by Howling Mutt Brewing just off the square in Downtown Denton.

Michael Velasco, a veteran and homebrewer of more than 20 years, took over the space at 205 N. Cedar St. in May. All it took was a new permit, a little paint and some polish to get the site re-branded and up and running again.

Along those lines, visitors of the former tenant will be met with a familiar scene at Black Fox. The barroom centers the place, flanked by the production alcove on one side, and a lounge-like spot (still being decorated) on the other. These smaller indoor areas (1200 square feet total) are then supplemented by an enclosed, open-air patio out back.

Black Fox's opening day lineup features a variety of light-to-moderate ales.

Naturally, house beers are the brewery's primary attraction, but select wines and non-alcoholic beverages are also available. A half-dozen brews make up Black Fox's initial lineup, with styles focused on light-to-moderate offerings. Menu options include easy-drinking blonde, pale and red ales, along with an IPA and a stout. And on the topic of favorites, while patrons overheard at other tables seemed taken with the Dirty Cursed Blonde, my tastes leaned more towards Black Fox Stout.

Speaking of which, Velasco's first foray into commercial brewing came when he participated in the Homebrewers League program at Barley & Board in Denton during 2018. The recipe Velasco brewed was Black Fox Stout, a beer he described as a straight-forward American-style stout purposely designed as a back-to-basics kind of thing, which nowadays represents a rarity in a market filled with adjunct-heavy alternatives.

As for when to visit and experience one of the region's newest brewing operations for yourself, Black Fox plans to provide service five days a week, with operating hours Wednesday through Sunday.

Union Bear shares first details of Denton expansion

Logo: 33 Restaurant Group.
Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

A former Denton brewery is getting a new lease on life, as the building that once housed Armadillo Ale Works is now the property of 33 Restaurant Group. The Frisco-based company, and parent of Union Bear Brewing Co. in Plano, purchased the facility late last year.

This acquisition fits into an overall expansion strategy for the Union Bear brand, which includes already-revealed plans to open a restaurant-only outlet in McKinney. In Denton, though, locals will be able to enjoy everything Union Bear is about, according to Coty Bell, who hired-on as director of brewing operations in 2022. That means a full kitchen and dining experience will be paired with Union Bear beers brewed in house.

Located at 221 S. Bell Ave., the site has been TABC-approved since last November, but construction on the 17,000+ square foot space has just recently gotten underway in earnest. And, at least in terms of the public areas, crews essentially wiped the previous slate clean.

A completely new bar is being installed alongside what will be the main dining room, where booths and high-top tables will be positioned for the comfort of Union Bear patrons. Then, adjacent to this section, a raised lounge area will set the stage for entertainment options consisting of a pool table, dart boards, arcade games and more.

On the beer production side, operations will be led by Nick Stolz, who arrived at Union Bear after working as head brewer at Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth since its inception in 2018. Stolz will be producing Union Bear recipes on a 30-barrel system, an upgrade compared to what Armadillo Ale Works originally used on site.

The brewhouse also exceeds the 10-barrel capacity setup at Union Bear in Plano. Small-batch runs will continue there, with high-volume movers like the brewpub's amber and blonde ales shifting to the queue in Denton. Some distribution will come with the expansion as well, a primary point of delivery being other members of the 33 Restaurant family.

As for timelines, Bell says they hope to begin brewing in a few weeks, while the ultimate opening of Union Bear Denton is likely to occur in early 2024.

A look at 2022 North Texas production numbers

Click image to enlarge.

Presented is an updated chart showing a breakdown of brewery sizes in North Texas based on production data reported to the Brewers Association and published in the May/June 2023 issue of The New Brewer.

Note that not all brewing companies provide their numbers, while others report numbers combining multiple locations. As a result, the number of brewing companies represented in the data 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.
• Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
• Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
• Revolver Brewing of Granbury.
• Tupps Brewery of McKinney.

Tier movement

• Two breweries advanced from the "very small" to the "small" production tier in 2022 - False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills and Siren Rock Brewing Co. of Rockwall. One brewery dropped from the large to mid-size production tier - Four Corners Brewing Co. of Dallas.

Year-to-year production change - overall (based on those reporting numbers in 2021 and 2022).

• Overall production in North Texas was down roughly 7% in 2022.
• Comparison: Overall industry production growth was flat nationally, according to the Brewers Association.

Year-to-year production change - by tier (based on those reporting numbers in 2021 and 2022).

• Large (> 10,000 bbl): -13%.
• Mid-size (5000-10,000 bbl): 0%
• Small (1000-5000 bbl): -6%.
• Very Small (< 1000 bbl): +21%.
  
• Comparison: While individual percentages for local tiers are inflated, the general trend of larger breweries making less beer, and smaller breweries making more beer, falls in line with results shared during the Brewers Association's "2023 State of the Industry" presentation.

Largest year-to-year production gain (based on those reporting numbers in 2021 and 2022).

• Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas had the largest reported gain in raw barrels produced locally for 2022.

Howling Mutt closing brewpub in Denton

Image credit: Howling Mutt Brewpub.

Howling Mutt Brewing Co. has announced it will cease operations in Denton.

Founded by Alex Manning and Justin Reed, Howling Mutt opened in September 2019, with the small-batch brewery and taproom encompassing a mere 1200 square feet. An enclosed patio area out back allowed for a bit more elbow room, and within that space the company frequently hosted outdoor concerts.

As far as its product offerings, house beers branded as "Haufen Beer" were regularly served alongside guest brews, with the focus always being on featuring other local breweries.

According to a social media post, Howling Mutt's last day of business will be Sunday, April 16, though it's implied there may be another chapter to come. 

2022 Year in review: The North Texas beer scene soldiers on

All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners.

One year ago, North Texas seemed on the cusp of eclipsing 100 breweries for the first time in history. Local brewers were still navigating a business climate impacted by the pandemic, but somehow nearly all managed to keep the beer flowing. Only three closures were recorded in 2021, which seemed remarkable considering the predictions of doom and gloom passed around by industry pundits the year before.

That said, some believe bills deferred could still be coming due, which means the ultimate tale of the pandemic and its impact may yet to be told. Case in point, pandemic pressures were specifically cited in the majority of the seven closures occurring throughout 2022.

Still, with six new openings, the local industry didn't take a step back as much as it simply held steady over the course of the last 12 months. As a result, the century mark still looms, but it remains to be seen if brewers will be able to sustain and build on current numbers in the face of market headwinds stemming from supply chain issues, cost inflation, staffing challenges and more.

So, who opened and who closed in 2022? Moreover, who's making moves to take their business to the next level? All will be revealed below, along with the annual economic snapshot, a short summary of storylines from the year in beer, and my usual rundown of favorite local pours.

The Business of Beer - Local Dealings

If there's one thing we've learned in recent times, it's that visiting a brewery is no longer just about bellying up to the bar for a pint of freshly-brewed beer. Indeed, the taproom experience has become a focal point, which makes sense considering it's where breweries stand to make the most profit on their output.

With that in mind, the 2021 year-in-review piece brought up how breweries were taking steps to attract new customers, expanding beverage offerings to include hard seltzer and/or kombucha, while also adding guest ciders and wines to their menus. And, let's not forget those non-alcoholic options for the little ones, designated drivers, or those who simply prefer not to drink and just want to hang out with the crowd.

Nevertheless, while a diverse lineup of drinks is a good thing, the availability of other attractions may be what keeps patrons from finishing a pint or a quick flight, then seeking further diversions elsewhere.

Along those lines, providing dedicated on-site food service is one way production breweries have supplemented operations the last couple of years, something in evidence with the 2022 introductions of the Taproom Eatery at Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland in July, and the Restaurant & Beer Garden at Wild Acre Brewing of Fort Worth in October.

Incidentally, changes at Wild Acre came to pass after Bishop Cider Co. of Dallas acquired the company's assets in May. Plans called for a renewed brand focus centered around the brewery's original El Paso St. location. With that, Wild Acre's Camp Bowie brewpub and a future Fairview site were passed on to new ownership. After rebranding, Boozie's Brewery & Gourmet Sandwiches of Fort Worth will be the first of these two entities to open on January 2.

Surveying other incremental upgrades undertaken in 2022, Funky Picnic Brewery & Café of Fort Worth unveiled The Back Room, an adults-only speakeasy attachment in September, while Say When Brewing Co. of Denison welcomed visitors into a comfortable and characterful new taproom setting in October.

Then, of course, there are cases where desired enhancements don't fit a brewery's existing space. Here, owners work from fresh blueprints to design all-new destinations with food, drinks, entertainment and other amenities available on site (think concert venues, vendor markets, expanded greenspaces, etc.). The sizable new campus premiered by Community Beer Co. of Dallas in February fits the mold, as will new large-scale facilities in the works for 903 Brewers of Sherman, Tupps Brewery of McKinney, and Rollertown Beerworks of Celina (in Frisco).

Expansion takes a different form for breweries pursuing satellite locations, where new customers are attracted through increased brand visibility. Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth went this route with the March opening of its Southlake taproom, with others to follow in the coming year as 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton establishes a presence in Anna, and Bankhead Brewing Co. of Rowlett builds its third locale in Farmers Branch.

Beyond that, Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano is also at work on expansion ideas, and there are rumblings Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas is considering a second spot as well. Oh, and don't be surprised if a recently-celebrated East Dallas brewpub suddenly announces the imminent opening of a second location on the opposite side of town.

As for other goings on, two firms currently operating under an alternating proprietorship at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine are hoping to construct their own brick-and-mortar buildings in the near future: Toasty Bros. of Denton, and Happy Hippie Brewing Co. of Richardson.

The Business of Beer - Statewide Statistics 

Brewers Association data from 2021 shows Texas ranking sixth in production nationally, with 1.14 million barrels of beer produced (up from 1.02 million in 2020). The state's total brewery count of 406 is 7th-best, but per capita numbers still lag (rising to 2 from 1.8 in 2020) as Texas continues to linger towards the bottom with a ranking of 47 in this category.

Moving on to total economic impact, Texas ranked third (steady compared to 2020), contributing over $4.9 billion to the economy. The state's brewing industry employed nearly 30,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 (up from 24,000 in 2020), paying almost $1.5 billion in wages and benefits, with an average annual salary of $49,984.

Image: Brewers Association.

Comings and Goings

For the first time since 2013, openings in North Texas numbered in the single digits, with only six new brewing companies debuting in 2022. Not only that, closures exceeded openings for the first time since the dawn of the modern craft beer boom (an era beginning with the opening of Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas in late 2011). It's worth mentioning, though, that the facilities of at least four reported closures will live on under new ownership as noted below.

Much like last year, new breweries are sprouting up in primarily suburban areas, with only a single new operation taking root in the larger cities of Dallas or Fort Worth in 2022 (10 out of 14 new openings in 2021 were in the suburbs). This trend is expected to continue, as the majority of the more than 20 future projects in development are being built in the 'burbs (click here for a list of breweries either under construction or in the planning stage).

Certainly, some upstarts are driven by a desire to operate outside of the competitive epicenters, but economic incentives are playing a role as well, as local governments look to attract businesses that will hopefully bring in more out-of-town visitors.

As for the total numbers entering 2023, there are now 93 active brewing companies in North Texas. Take into account side projects and breweries with multiple locations, and that translates to 91 different brands of local beer available for sale in the market.

Openings:

• Autonomous Society Brewpub, Dallas.
• Bendt Distilling Co., Lewisville (added brewing operations).
• Bourbon -n- Branch Brewing Co., Hudson Oaks.
• Brew Aleworks, Granbury.
• Rickhouse Brewing, Mineral Wells.
• Southern Roots Brewing Co., Waxahachie.

Brand Debuts (not counted as a new opening):

• Ghost Eye Brewing Co., Duncanville (sharing a license with Trinity Forest Brewing Co. of Dallas).

Brand Revivals (not counted as a new opening).

• By The Horns Brewing, Mansfield (operating inside DelToro BBQ).

New Locations (not counted as a new opening):

• Community Beer Co., Dallas.

Permanent Closures:

• Armadillo Ale Works, Denton.
         - New ownership in place, not yet public.

• Cedar Creek Alehouse & Brewery, Farmers Branch.
         - New ownership: Bankhead Brewing Co. of Rowlett.

• Lead Belly Beer, Dallas.
         - Was a side project at Deep Ellum Distillery of Dallas..

• Legal Draft Beer Co., Arlington.
         - New ownership: Bishop Cider of Dallas.

• Motorboat Brewing Co., Addison.
         - Was operating under an alternating proprietorship with Bitter Sisters Brewery of Addison.

• Pathfinder Brewery, Hudson Oaks.
         - Assets for sale or lease by owner.

• Steam Theory Brewing Co., Dallas.
         - Site for lease by owner.

• Wild Acre Camp Bowie, Fort Worth.
         - New ownership in place, re-branding as Boozie's Brewery & Gourmet Sandwiches.

Source: Individual research.

The Year in Beer 

• Heady local headlines
  
  January - Long-time Dallas brewery snatched up in Monster deal: Monster Beverage Corporation, maker of Monster Energy drinks, acquired CANarchy Craft Beer Collective, LLC in a move which includes the assets of Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas.
  
  March - Sour house shows its spontaneous side: Beard Science Sour House of The Colony debuted its Wild Sour, a beer featuring a complex mix of flavors derived from spontaneous fermentation.
  
  May - North Texas gets taste of first locally-crafted NA beer: Produced by Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Nada is a non-alcoholic IPA brewed with Mosaic, Sabro and Simcoe hops. The beer went on to win a silver medal in the Non-Alcoholic Beer category at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival.
  
  May - Pantera plays to craft beer crowd: The legendary metal band from Arlington expanded its relationship with Texas Ale Project of Dallas, announcing a new limited-edition series of Pantera-branded beers.
  
  July - A hot dog-flavored hard seltzer? What's the wurst that could happen? National media attention, Oscar Mayer offering a hot dog hook-up and more...all in a day's work at Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
  
  July - North Texans can finally get Hammer-ed at retail: Well, Velvet Hammer-ed, that is. After a decade in business, Peticolas Brewing Co. of Dallas began limited retail distribution.
  
  September - Dallas beer honors Holocaust survivor: Jerzy, a Polish-style lager, from Celestial Beerworks of Dallas celebrated the life of Jerry Rawicki, a Holocaust survivor and grandfather to two members of the Celestial family.
  
  December - Reviving a local legend: Turning Point Beer of Bedford released Apricot Petite Golden Sour from The Collective Brewing Project, reproducing the recipe using equipment acquired from the former Fort Worth brewery.
  
  
• Trending topics
  
  For today...
  
  If there was a trending style in 2022, it might be Cold IPA. Originally brewed by Wayfinder Beer of Oregon, Cold IPAs are designed to be dry, hoppy and bitter, with a crisp, clean finish. They are low gravity beers fermented at warmer temperatures with a lager yeast, while incorporating flaked rice and/or corn in the grist. Feel free to insert your own thoughts about how a Cold IPA is warm (like a Black IPA is dark, pale ale).
  
  North Texas breweries that have dabbled in the style since late 2021: Celestial Beerworks, Denton County Brewing Co., False Idol Brewing, Funky Picnic Brewery & Café, HopFusion Ale Works, Manhattan Project Beer Co., Oak Highlands Brewery, On Rotation, Soul Fire Brewing Co., Siren Rock Brewing Co., Turning Point Beer, Vector Brewing.
  
  Available now (according to the latest tap lists): Denton County Texas Cold Front, False Idol Energy (multiple variants), Manhattan Project Cold War.
  
  For tomorrow...
  
  Non-alcoholic beers are showing up more and more as a trending topic, but North Texas brewers have yet to hop on this particular bandwagon. Issues with cost, complexity, and the need for additional equipment, along with concerns about shelf life are perhaps the among reasons why the category has been slow to develop locally.
  
  Outside of Community Nada IPA, perhaps the only non-alcoholic beer to be released by a North Texas brewery, Funky Picnic Brewery & Café explored the low ABV (< 1%) realm with a low-alcohol barrel-aged peanut butter stout called All the Fluff, None of the Fun.
  
  
• Not enough Noise in North Texas
  
  Only two area breweries, both based in Fort Worth, chose to participate in the Brave Noise effort. This collaboration originated in 2021 with the goal of fostering a safe and discrimination-free beer industry.
  
  Fort Brewery & Pizza released their take on Brave Noise Pale Ale in May, with proceeds supporting The Ladder Alliance. Neutral Ground Brewing Co. followed with their beer in June, which benefitted The Women's Center of Tarrant County.
  
  
• Ten-year toasts on tap for 2023
  
  The list of names celebrating 10-year anniversaries in 2022 consisted of Peticolas, Lakewood, Cedar Creek, Revolver and Four Corners. From that group, products locals have been drinking for a decade include Four Corners Local Buzz, Peticolas Velvet Hammer, Revolver Blood & Honey, Elliot's Phoned Home Pale Ale from Cedar Creek, and The Temptress from Lakewood.
  
  Celebrating 10 years in 2023: Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, and 903 Brewers of Sherman.
  
  
• North Texas award winners: Click here to review award-winning beers from 2022, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Texas Craft Brewers Cup, Best of Craft Beer Awards, North American Brewers Association International Beer Awards, United States Beer Tasting Championship, U.S. Open Beer Championship, U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship and more.
  
  

• The 2022 list of Beer in Big D's preferred pours (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed): 903 Almond Cookie Stout, Division DIBS, False Idol Perceptual Contortion, Lakewood Lion's Share X, Maple Branch Ringleader Barrel-Aged Doppelbock, Oak Cliff Red Wine Barrel Sombre, Odd Muse Barrel-Aged Woodpecker Lips, Pegasus City Brewha Flanders Red Ale, Rollertown The Magic Number 3, Vector Apfelholz Smoked Helles.

Cheers and Happy New Year!