Edgewise Eight serving stylistic slate in Weatherford

All images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Edgewise Eight Brewing first began brewing its brand of beer for distribution in late 2018. For two years, the company created batches at a production-only facility in Weatherford, with deliveries limited to accounts local to the brewery.

In December, founders Barney, Clifton and Colt Ellis - a father and his two sons - made the move to a permanent home in the city's downtown district. Located at 221 N. Main St., Edgewise Eight now occupies a 7500 square foot structure sitting two blocks away from the Weatherford Town Square.

Within the building's walls you'll find all the makings of a small-town craft beer destination. In what amounts to an all-in-one, single room setup, seating areas anchor the space, with a small-batch brewhouse and fermenters installed in one corner, and an on-site food trailer residing in another.

Edgewise Eight and The Grove come together to comprise the "Brewpub & Eatery" at 221 N. Main in Weatherford.

In fact, as further evidenced by exterior signage (out of view in the above image), Edgewise Eight bills itself as a "Brewpub & Eatery." Pub grub is provided by The Grove, quite literally by way of a hollowed-out and retrofitted Airstream travel trailer. Daily dining options include starters, sandwiches, street tacos and sausages.

As for the beer, the brewery's portfolio builds off a set of award-winning recipes from homebrew competition entries dating back to 2016. Offerings lean towards stylistic selections, with the menu on the day of my visit featuring a blonde, a brown and a porter, along with an IPA and an Irish red.

A flight through the final four mentioned showed each to be spot-on to style. The IPA was bold, bright and refreshing, with an almost ideal moniker, Fit of Sanity. Reason being, this IPA is to be enjoyed in its simplicity, the beer and its presentation not being bogged down with this coast or that coast care-abouts, or whatever hype-driven hop is currently the name-drop of the day.

My personal favorite, though, was First of His Name. This dark and roasty porter effused elements of chocolate and coffee, while finishing with a hint of black patent malt bitterness. Here again, with no additives other than oats, the beer was yet another straightforward and tasty take on a classic.

The brewpub's spacious seating area is flanked by a production area upfront, and the food trailer in back.

Foundational brews such as these set the stage for further exploits at Edgewise Eight. Beyond the present range of American styles, the brewery has tapped Belgian and German beers as well, while also exploring the sour realm. In addition, a run of fruit beers is set to be crafted to coincide with the annual Parker County peach harvest.

So how best to describe Edgewise Eight as a whole? Let's call it a one-stop shop for good beer and good food, all brought together in a friendly and relaxing downtown setting.

Moreover, it's a great place to go if you're looking to get away from it all, and by that I mean the daily grind of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Sure, Edgewise Eight may be a bit off the beaten path in Weatherford, but the brewery would seem to be worth a visit should you find yourself exploring the far western edge of our North Texas craft beer frontier.

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Historical note: Edgewise Eight is the first modern brewery call Weatherford home. Current research shows at least four brewing operations were established in the town prior to Prohibition, existing at various times between 1867 and 1879.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - December 26, 2018 edition

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

Cheers!

Edgewise Eight launches brand in Weatherford

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


3 Nations signs lease on new location in Carrollton

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


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

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


Vector Brewing secures spot in Lake Highlands

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

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

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - October 24, 2018 edition

New cans and new brands lead the way in this edition of the Conspectus, which also hits on the topic of the first cider company to open in Fort Worth.

Cheers!


Four Bullets, Thirsty Bro preparing first packaged products

Inaugural canning runs are scheduled for next month at Thirsty Bro Brewing Co. of Royse City and Four Bullets Brewery of Richardson.

At Thirsty Bro, variety four-packs are in the works with cans of Heff Dat Hefeweizen, Mo Bro IPA, Southern Belle Porter and Sweet Cherry Blonde (not pictured) to be included. Shipments to accounts throughout Dallas-Forth Worth are expected to begin after cans are filled on November 1.

Four Bullets has chosen Billion Dollar Blonde for its first foray into cans, with packaging to occur in mid-November. Six-packs of Billion Dollar Blonde will then roll out to retailers in and around Dallas and Richardson.


TABC approves permits for Soul Fire and Edgewise Eight

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) granted licenses for two future North Texas entities in October.

In Roanoke, demolition and site preparation is complete on the downtown space to be occupied by Soul Fire Brewing Co., with construction to begin once a building permit is obtained from the city. If all goes according to plan, Soul Fire will open in early spring 2019.

Edgewise Eight Brewing continues to scout locations out west in Parker County.The group applied for a brewing permit to allow them to explore other options for production in the meantime.


Two breweries on tap for North Richland Hills

Not one, but two brewing operations are set to debut in North Richland Hills next year, now that Brutal Beerworks and False Idol Brewing have secured locations in the city.

Brutal Beerworks will be established on an end-cap in the Harwood Plaza development at 8447 Boulevard 26 (3400 square feet), while False Idol will open less than a mile away in a former auto shop at 7924 Maplewood Ave. (4100 square feet).


Locust establishes first cidery in Fort Worth

The first cidery to operate in Fort Worth opens this week in the city's Near Southside neighborhood. Locust Cider is a Washington-based company with three locations in its home state. The firm's Texas outpost is located at 710 S. Main St., which puts it on the same block as Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

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Image credits (top to bottom): Thirsty Bro Brewing Co., Four Bullets Brewery, Soul Fire Brewing Co., Edgewise Eight Brewing, Brutal Beerworks, False Idol Brewing, Locust Cider.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - July 23, 2018 edition

Updates on new and renewed brewing operations in Dallas and Denton headline this edition of the Conspectus, with a look at upcoming operations out west on the agenda as well.

Cheers!


Barley & Board back to brewing in Denton

Idle since early 2016, brewing operations have re-started at Barley & Board of Denton. House beers will be tapped monthly as part of the brewpub's Home Brewers League, an initiative that gives local homebrewers the chance to brew a commercial batch. Barley & Board supplies ingredients for the collaborative effort, while local hobbyists are charged with making the beer. The beer for August is a French saison by Brian Tiensvold. It follows Cole Haley's black IPA, which kicked things off in July.


Steam Theory debuts in Trinity Groves

After roughly four years in development, Steam Theory Brewing Co. is now up and running in Trinity Groves. The brewpub is currently serving culinary offerings from a summer dinner menu alongside a selection of guest beers. House brews are said to be in the works, presumably ready in time for Steam Theory's official grand opening on August 25.


Cans coming from Manhattan Project

Packaged products are on the way from Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas. Set to arrive at retail in September, the brewery will can its three core beers - Half-Life, Hoppenheimer and Plutonium-239, and a seasonal pilsner - Necessary Evil. As for when Manhattan Project's taproom will open at 215 Sulphur St., look for that to occur sometime in Q1 2019.


Celestial receives TABC approval, introduces Space Camp

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has issued a brewpub license for Celestial Beerworks of Dallas. Currently under construction at 2530 Butler St., owner Matt Reynolds is targeting an early fall opening. The company has also introduced Space Camp, a membership program that provides consumers with one free crowler of beer per month, along with swag, taproom discounts and first access to special releases (click here for more information).


Edgewise Wight launches crowdfunding campaign

Looking to raise funds for a brewpub to be located in Weatherford, Edgewise Eight Brewing has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The company has set an open-ended goal of $5000, with funds earmarked for amenities and other items that will help make Edgewise Eight "the most inviting place to go in Weatherford."


Soul Fire begins work on building in Roanoke

Demolition has begun on a space to be occupied by Soul Fire Brewing Co. in Roanoke. In addition to housing the brewery's production equipment and a taproom, plans for the building at 206 N. Oak St. include facilities for live music and a food hall.

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Image credits (top to bottom): Barley & Board, Steam Theory Brewing Co., Manhattan Project Beer Co., Celestial Beerworks, Edgewise Eight Brewing, Soul Fire Brewing Co.