Second Rodeo joins Firefly Park project in Frisco

Rendering of Firefly Park in Frisco (Wilks Development).

For the past two years, Second Rodeo Brewing of Fort Worth has been actively exploring options for a second location, with the latest possibility - a least in North Texas - a new development being built in North Frisco.

Coming from Wilks Development of Fort Worth, Firefly Park is a mixed-used urban village set to occupy a 217-acre tract of land on the southwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. 380, expanding down to PGA Parkway.

According to a press release, once completed "Firefly Park will feature 3 million square feet of Class A office space, 400,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment, 1,200 hotel rooms, 230 townhomes, and 1,970 residential units."

Second Rodeo signed on as a tenant in late April. The brewpub, a concept from Jason Boso and Brain Storm Shelter (the group behind Truck Yard), debuted its original location in the Fort Worth Stockyards during the summer of 2021.

"Second Rodeo Brewing has always been about more than cold beer and good food - it’s about creating a place where the outlaw spirit is alive and the live music never stops,” says Boso. “Frisco is growing quickly and deserves a destination that grows with it, making Firefly Park a natural fit. We built Second Rodeo as a full experience, with house-brewed beer, strong cocktails, great food, and live music every day - all coming together to create a place people want to stay awhile."

It should be noted that plans for Second Rodeo - Frisco are in the very early stages, and details could change (dirt is moving at the site, with condos and office space under construction). Based on the current outlook, the brewpub is scheduled to open in Fall 2027, alongside other first phase retail, residential, office and hotel elements of Firefly Park.

As for other expansion options, Brain Storm Shelter previously looked into adding a Second Rodeo location in Richardson in mid-2024. That project is now a Truck Yard (with no attached brewing operation), opening later this year.

And if we're talking further out, both in terms of timeline and geography, Second Rodeo has eyes on San Antonio for its first location outside of North Texas.

Rollertown ready to debut new HQ in Frisco

Exterior views of the new Rollertown HQ in Frisco (Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

By now, you've surely heard that Rollertown Beerworks is moving operations from its original home in Celina. Founded in 2020 by brothers Jonathan and Ben Rogers, along with Jeff "Skin" Wade (the latter two of "The Ben & Skin Show" on 97.1 The Eagle), the company is preparing to open a colossal new brewing complex located at 6450 Main St. in Downtown Frisco.

So, why Downtown Frisco? For one thing, the choice of destination shortens the drive for many of Rollertown's fans. At the same time, those involved wanted bring the factory back to urban America, and where better than Frisco, arguably one of the more vibrant cities in North Texas and homebase for companies like the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, the PGA of America and more.

"Manufacturing in America is not happening on Main St. anymore, so for us this brings in a beautiful connectivity," says Jonathan Rogers, CEO of Rollertown. "We want people to develop a connection to the product and a connection to the place."

Connecting to residents and visitors to the city is a virtual given, since Rollertown exists as a sort of anchor point directly between Toyota Stadium (home to FC Dallas) and Downtown Frisco. Coupled with the proximity to Main St., that means there will always be activity and energy in and around the campus.

Plus, the inner workings of the brewery will be visible to even the casual observer, thanks to sightlines into the brewhouse reaching Main St. pedestrians. And if anyone wants a closer look, they can simply step into a fishbowl-like spot that's been fashioned along the west side of the 15,000 square foot production building.

Speaking of making beer, when not brewing Rollertown's flagship Kölsch, The Big German, head brewer Tommy Miller and the production team will be operating from a position of maximum flexibility with 30-bbl, 7-bbl and 1-bbl brewing systems on-site.

"The good thing about having the three sizes is we'll be able to do lots of small batch stuff, so our taproom will always have a good mix," says Miller. "We'll have something for everybody, with hazies all the way down to Shiner Bock-type beers."

Then, on the topic of what food will be available to pair with Rollertown's beers, dining options will take one of two forms. Parking spots are reserved for a pair of food trucks, while the taproom will house a full-service kitchen (coming soon). From there, the plan is to have a mix of pizza, burgers, tacos or barbecue available at all times.

The beauty of the place, though, may be in the different ways you can choose to spend your time at Rollertown.

"We're shooting for a bunch of different experiences," says Rogers. "If you come back multiple times per week, the experience can be different every time depending on where you sit."

Indeed, patrons can sit inside or out, upstairs or down, out front or in the back, this while enjoying views of various buildings in the downtown district, the city's historic silos or the soccer stadium.

For indoor ambiance, Rollertown's taproom layouts offer two distinctly different vibes totaling over 6,000 square feet. The downstairs is more pub-like, with lowered ceilings giving the space a more intimate feel. Upstairs, though, it's a sports bar atmosphere, with high ceilings, a large bar top centering the space, and three 110" televisions (and flanking smaller screens) providing visual entertainment.

If you prefer the great outdoors, there's the "Front Yard," a 4300 square foot beer garden with Toyota Stadium sighted in the distance, or the "Back Yard," a 25,000 square foot artificial turf lawn which fronts the silos and a stage installation featuring a 17x11-foot audio/video screen mounted on its back wall. You can also escape the sun, if you so desire, under covered porch areas extending from the taproom both upstairs and down. 

What about other amenities? Well, there's a merch zone, coolers for to-go beer, and with Rollertown's house-blended spirits program, the brewery will be the only place in the city where you can buy a bottle of vodka or whiskey - since liquor stores aren't allowed in Frisco.

There are also multiple private rooms for rent, including one called the "Pico Room" inside the brewhouse. Once completed, it will have its own bar, televisions and house beers on tap, making it an ideal space for corporate events, bachelor parties, fantasy football drafts or homebrew gatherings. Moreover, there's the option of making your own 1-bbl batch of beer with the brew crew.

Add to all of that some of the brewery's signature events - Ben & Skin remotes, Branoofunck nights, Cowboys/Mavs/Stars watch parties, and live lucha libre and sumo tournaments - and it stands to reason that there will always be a lot going on at Rollertown. But then, that fits right into the idea of siting the brewery centerstage within the hustle and bustle of the city.

Of course, this is just a taste of what Rollertown's new HQ has to offer. If you want to learn more, you'll just have come to Frisco and find out for yourself.

With that, grand opening festivities are on tap for this week, with an Official Ribbon Cutting and live music on Friday, Lucha on the Lawn on Saturday, and a Cowboys Watch Party on Sunday. Some events have ticketing options for reserved seating, so click through the links for more information.

Rollertown breaks ground on new Frisco HQ

Logo courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks. Insets © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D (click to enlarge).

Officially kicking off a project first announced in November 2022, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina broke ground today on what will become the company's new headquarters in Downtown Frisco.

The principals at Rollertown include Jonathan Rogers, co-founder and CEO, along with Ben Rogers and Jeff "Skin" Wade, co-founders and hosts of The Ben & Skin Show on 97.1 The Freak. They were joined at the event by Frisco city leaders and a list of sports and entertainment celebrities who also happen to be Rollertown investors:

Dirk Nowitzki, formerly of the Dallas Mavericks.
Travis Frederick, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.
Torii Hunter, formerly of the Minnesota Twins.
Matt Kemp, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dude Perfect, Frisco-based Sports and Comedy Group.

As for Rollertown's future home, it will be built on 2.9-acre tract at the northeast corner of Main St. and John Elliot Parkway. Buildings will be designed with an industrial look meant to play off their proximity to the BNSF railroad, while also paying homage to mills that once occupied the land.

Exterior views of the brewhouse, taproom and event lawn (Rollertown Beerworks, City of Frisco, PGAL).

Among the features are over 6,350 square feet of air-conditioned indoor hospitality space, including a two-level taproom with large porches and multiple bars, a 4,320 square foot outdoor beer garden, a 25,200 square foot great lawn connecting Frisco’s historic grain silos to the taproom’s porches (fronted by an 800 square foot performance stage), and a 15,000 square foot production hall featuring three different sized brewhouses (30-bbl, 7-bbl, 1-bbl).

"We are absolutely thrilled to be planting our flag in what is consistently recognized as one of the finest cities in the country," says Jonathan Rogers. "To join the family of companies based in Frisco that includes the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Stars, the Frisco Roughriders, the PGA of America, and Keurig Dr Pepper among many others is a true honor.”

Interior views of the two-story taproom (Rollertown Beerworks, City of Frisco, PGAL).

Rollertown Frisco will be equidistant from Toyota Stadium and Frisco’s Historic Downtown. This family and dog-friendly venue is meant to be a cornerstone of Frisco’s Downtown development plans and a beacon of community engagement.

“We’ve been brainstorming for years about how to find the best project for the silo tract to incorporate into our plans to redevelop historic downtown,” says Mayor Jeff Cheney. “We believe Rollertown Beerworks fulfills our vision to bring destination entertainment to the heart of our city. Research shows our residents want live music, brewery experiences, and historic downtown settings – all while being family friendly. Rollertown delivers."

Look for Rollertown Frisco to open in the summer of 2025.

Three Empires plants its flag in Frisco

All photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

A brewery has finally come to fruition in Frisco, as Three Empires Brewing Co. is now pouring its brand of beer in the city’s downtown district at 6990 Main St.

Residents of Frisco have long been thirsting for a brewery, and while a handful of projects have targeted the city over the past ten years, not a single one evolved past the planning stage. The drought is now over, though, thanks to the efforts of husband and wife, David and Mandalyn Wible.

So, what was the response like on their debut weekend? Let's just say locals are welcoming Three Empires with open arms. Standing room only crowds filled the brewery on opening day, which led yours truly to postpone a visit until Sunday. Even then, early arrivals were assembled outside before the doors even opened. This, a prelude to another packed house.

Once inside, five beers were on the menu. According to the Wibles, Frisco Blonde and Betty White Ale (witbier) were the most popular among patrons, but my favorite was probably one based on the first recipe the couple ever brewed, a bready amber ale called Amber's First Time.

It's all about the beer at Three Empires Brewing Co. in Frisco, with Spike Brewing
equipment lining one wall and hop-themed light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.

Overall, counting two others on my flight board, Steps Day (American pale ale) and Dirty South Stout, I'd describe the offerings at Three Empires as every day kind of beers. Each was easy-drinking and enjoyable with good balance, relatively low strength, and just the right of complexity to keep things interesting.

At the same time, for those looking to stir things up a bit, syrup infusions are available allowing customers to add raspberry to Betty White to create "Blanche," strawberry lemonade to Frisco Blonde to make her "Blush," or toasted marshmallow to Dirty South Stout to say "Gimme Gimme S'more."

As for what lies ahead at Three Empires, a mango margarita seltzer and two IPAs are currently in the works (Tangerine Speedo American IPA and Juicy Booty NEIPA). Other styles, including lagers, are likely to rotate in later, but for now the aforementioned eight brews will fill out the starting lineup.

Also, once production completes on the IPAs, an official grand opening will be planned, and opening times may expand to include evening hours on Thursday and Friday. Keep an eye on the brewery's social media channels for details on those items to be shared in the coming weeks.

Flix Brewhouse earns honor at 2023 NABA International Beer and Cider Awards

Image credit: Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm.

Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm has been awarded a medal for one of its creations at the 2023 NABA International Beer and Cider Awards.

Now in its 26th year, the International Beer and Cider Awards are sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association. For 2023, the competition took place alongside the Mountain Brewers Beer Fest in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with the combined festivities being the culmination of Idaho Beer Week.

Entries to the event were broken down into over 100 different categories covering beer, cider, seltzer, non-alcoholic beers and other hard beverages as stipulated by the 2023 North American Brewers Association Style Guide.

As for Flix Brewhouse/Little Elm, the brewpub/cinema was honored for Get Smoked, a German-style rauchbier featuring Beechwood-smoked pilsner malt.

Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm

• Bronze for Get Smoked in the German-Style Rauchbier category.
  

Cheers and congratulations to Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm!

Three Empires aims to become Frisco's first brewery

Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Last night, the Frisco City Council approved a request to prepare an ordinance for a Special Use Permit (SUP) paving the way for the establishment of what would be the city's first brewery. To be known as Three Empires Brewing Co., those behind the venture have leased a spot at 6990 Main St. in The Rail District of Downtown Frisco.

Owners David and Mandalyn Wible intended to open just down the road at what was to become the Main Street Food Hall. When that project fell through, they signed on with Nack Development, owners of The Ford Building - a structure dating back to 1911 that was once the site of an automobile dealership selling Model A's and Model T's.

According to David, plans call for the renovation of a 1300 square foot space within those walls. Roughly 200 square feet will be reserved for the production area (one-barrel system with five small-scale fermenters), with a taproom bar, walk-in cooler and seating to fill out the rest. Modifications will also be done on the exterior elevations to let a little bit of the outdoors in.

"We'll have a roll-top garage door in front, with a little bit of outdoor seating," says Wible. "Then, we'll also put in a back door that can access the common area behind the building to get that indoor/outdoor experience."

In terms of offerings, Three Empires hopes to debut with upwards of eight beers. Look for a portfolio of straightforward ales to start, with an American-style pale ale, hazy IPA, witbier and a blonde among the styles being considered. Any lagers would come later, once production is in full swing and the daily lineup is fully-stocked.

Should you wish to enjoy a beer outside the confines of the taproom, Three Empires will have growlers and also do limited canning for to-go sales. Beyond that, things will be kept pretty close to home in terms of outside distribution.

"We'll probably do some light distribution, but nothing on a big scale," says Wible. "We want to keep it local and be a local brewery. We'll just walk up and down Main St. to see who would be interested in having our beer."

As for timelines, everything depends on getting through construction and the permit process. If all goes well, Three Empires could be pouring beer as soon as this summer.

Rollertown tracking a new future in Frisco

Image courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks.

Over the past year, the City of Frisco has been actively working to secure a brewery (or breweries) within its borders. And, while two projects have already been announced, the most ambitious yet may come from a newly-formed partnership with Rollertown Beerworks of Celina.

Founded by Ben Rogers and Jeff 'Skin' Wade, hosts of "The Ben & Skin Show" on 97.1 The Freak, Rollertown is a relatively young company, having just opened in April 2020. Even so, an eye towards expansion has been in place from the very start.

"When we originally opened this spot in Celina, it was always meant to be a temporary location," says Jonathan Rogers, CEO of Rollertown. "Eventually, we were planning to move and occupy another building on this block, but once the pandemic hit, we realized a lot of the people coming to the brewery are traveling to get here."

With that in mind, Rollertown began considering its options. Factoring into the equation was the idea that just like I-635 is considered "The Wall" for downtown dwellers, US-380 presents as a similar sort of barrier for suburbanites. In other words, patrons are perhaps only willing to go so far in the pursuit of better beer.

The talk then turned to Frisco as a destination, especially in light of the fact both the Dallas Cowboys and PGA Tour have recently relocated their headquarters to the city. Now you can add Rollertown to the mix, as the brewery looks to join those entities in being a draw for out-of-town entertainment traffic.

So, what will a new Rollertown HQ look like? Concepts are early in development, but Rollertown's vision for the future will be realized on a roughly 2.6-acre tract of land along Main St., between John W. Elliot Dr. and First St. in Frisco's Rail District. Active tracks run alongside the site, which shares space with the Frisco Grain Elevators. It's a fitting locale, given how the Rollertown name stems from when the railroad was built, and local businesses had to literally roll their buildings closer to the rail line in order to survive.

Once work is complete, the multi-faceted facility will represent quite an upgrade compared to Rollertown's current digs. In addition to a dedicated 11,000 square foot production space anchored by a 60-barrel brewhouse (up from the seven-barrel system employed in Celina), plans call for the construction of a separate 13,000 square foot, two-story structure to house the brewery's taproom and a rooftop deck.

Additional indoor features will include upwards of three resident food vendors, these set up in a miniature food hall-type environment. There will also be a seven-barrel brewing system installed in the taproom for the exploration of more offbeat recipe designs from the mind of head brewer Tommy Miller and potential collaborators.

"We're going to build a very experimental setup in the main taproom, with foeders and other kinds of tanks to brew with different techniques," says Miller. "We'll probably have about 50 taps, just doing tons of crazy stuff in there, while the big production facility in the back is going to be pumping out lagers."

Miller also hopes the small-batch system can be used as a tool to help reconnect with homebrewers. The purpose being to dedicate time to the culture and community that got the industry started in the first place, with the ultimate goal to help foster the next generation of North Texas craft brewers.

"Nobody has really taken up the mantle of the homebrewer since the demise of Brew Riot and Deep Ellum's Labor of Love, and that's kind of a shame," says Miller. "We want to have homebrewing clubs come in to brew a batch together and put it on tap, and we want to get back to having bigger homebrew competitions."

Regarding the makeup of the exterior grounds at Rollertown in Frisco, much attention will be paid to outdoor amenities as well, with the intention of giving patrons and their pets plenty of room to move around.

"Between two green spaces, we'll have about 30,000 square feet of turfed-off area," says Rogers. "It'll be fantastic for families, with an outdoor biergarten, a stage/pavilion and more, and it will allow us to host bigger and better events."

Naturally, concerts and large-scale beer festivals (think curated events like Festicle at Braindead, but on a grander scale) are on the agenda, but to hear Rollertown tell it, they have aspirations to leverage the venue to produce even crazier, spectacle-like gatherings.

As for the motivation behind it all, clearly such a move will make Rollertown much more available and accessible to a wider audience. Beyond that, though, it comes down to demonstrating a commitment to a couple of core concepts at Rollertown: inclusivity and opportunity.

"We'll have greater opportunities to team up with the right kinds of partners to celebrate the culture behind our events, like with the Japanese consulate for our Sumo wrestling exhibition, or the German consulate for Oktoberfest," says Rogers. "We want to do things the right way, because it allows for education and enrichment, which is what we're all about."

A timeline for the design and construction of Rollertown Frisco is still being established. The Celina brewery and taproom is expected to continue operations as normal throughout the development cycle and beyond.

Beer shares top billing at Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm

Flix Brewhouse's first North Texas "cinema brewery" is located at
1660 FM 423 in Little Elm (Photo: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

The Round Rock-based company, Flix Brewhouse, made its first foray into North Texas earlier this year with the opening of an outpost in Little Elm. And, while some may cast an eye towards the business and assume it's mostly about movies, those who visit soon learn it's a place where first-run flicks share top billing with beer.

One reason for that is the investment put into the brewing side, at least considering how the brewpub's equipment array extends beyond what's installed at many smaller startups. A seven-barrel brewhouse anchors a front corner of the space, while fermentation and serving tanks overlook the lobby and bar from higher level perches on both sides.

It's not just for show, either, since head brewer Derrick Rima and assistant Dennis Diltz are tasked with manning the tanks daily. Still, visitors to the "cinema brewery" are more likely to be movie fans, which is something they hope to change.

"Right now, people coming in are primarily here to see a movie," says Rima. "But, we're working to build up the beer program to attract more of the craft beer crowd."

On that subject, it would be easy to consider Flix's status as a chain and assume its portfolio is limited to corporate recipes. Yet, Rima and Diltz have the freedom to create local flavors on a regular basis. This allows them to add variety, while also providing an outlet for putting their own signature on the menu.

"All locations start with the same six beers, and we typically put on a corporate seasonal once a month," says Rima. "Beyond that, we're able to release our own specialty beers, and we've also started a barrel program."

In this case, adding a personal touch often involves collaborating with friends in the local industry. Up to now, Flix has joined forces with other local breweries, a gypsy brewer, and members of a beer-centric nonprofit organization that focuses on educational opportunities for women.

These efforts have resulted in the beers below, all of which follow protocol at Flix in that they draw inspiration from a movie playing on the big screen.

• Cartel Candy - a strawberry limeade Berliner weisse inspired by the film, Peppermint.
  Collaborator: Barrett Tillman of Black Man Brewing.
• Dementor's Kiss - a bananas foster brown inspired by the film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
  Collaborator: Noble Rey Brewing Co. of Dallas.
• Symbiote - a Belgian imperial stout with oats and brown sugar inspired by the film, Venom.
  Collaborator: BrainDead Brewing of Dallas.
• Pink Boots 8 - a Belgian blonde with tropical teas inspired by the film, Oceans 8.
  Collaborator: Pink Boots Society - North Texas Chapter.

Most recently, Rima and Diltz got together with Seth Morgan and the crew at Denton County Brewing Co. to make London Fog IPA. Brewed to celebrate the release of Peter Jackson's latest film, Mortal Engines, the beer is a dry-hopped hazy IPA infused with tea that's about as refreshing as they come.

The point is, beer plays a key role in the overall experience at Flix. In fact, the taproom is worth a visit in and of itself, especially if you're a member of the craft beer demographic. Either way, know that quality beers with a unique twist are always in play, regardless of whether you're there to see a movie, grab a beer, or both.

---

Note: London Fog IPA was brewed at Denton County Brewing Co.'s facility, and is currently on tap there. It will appear at Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm once label approval is obtained from the TABC.

Franconia releases RoughRiders Red in bottles

Label graphics for RoughRiders Red Ale feature the classic Franconia logo, but bold lettering and a
distinctive red color allows the beer to stand out from the brewery's standard design (Franconia Brewing Co.).

Just in time for Opening Day of the baseball season, Franconia Brewing Co. and the Frisco RoughRiders have announced the return of RoughRiders Red Ale.

First introduced in May 2015, RoughRiders Red Ale is an Irish red with an easy-drinking style and a low ABV (4.5%), making it a perfect beer for drinking at the ballpark on a warm spring day.

RoughRiders Red Ale is a smooth,
malty brew with balanced flavors
and a light finishing bitterness
(Franconia Brewing Co.).

"We are very proud of this collaboration as we feel strongly about our local community, and what better way for our company to show that pride than by partnering with the RoughRiders," says Dennis Wehrmann, founder of Franconia." Coincidence or not, the color of the RoughRiders matches the color of the beer, so we celebrate the team and the bier from here."

Originally, RoughRiders Red Ale was only available on draft at Bull Moose Saloon in Dr. Pepper Ballpark. And while it will still be offered in that format at RoughRider games during the season, this year's edition will packaged in bottles for the first time.

"Taking RoughRiders Red Ale beyond the friendly confines of Dr. Pepper Ballpark is an extremely exciting venture for us and our good friends at Franconia," says Scott Burchett, chief operating officer of the RoughRiders. "We look forward to quenching thirsts around North Texas with a taste of RoughRiders Red."

According to a press release, RoughRiders Red Ale will be available on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles. Distribution will be limited to Frisco and Collin County, with the beer to be sold at Kroger stores, as well as at select retailers, restaurants and bars.

As for RoughRiders Opening Day, that happens on Thursday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the game may be purchased online at RidersBaseball.com, or by calling or visiting the RoughRiders Ticket Office (972-731-9200).

Frisco City Grainworks coming soon to North Texas

Image credit: Frisco City Grainworks (click to enlarge).

After entering into an agreement to be a part of a development north of Toyota Stadium, Frisco City Grainworks (FCG) has declared its intent to open a production brewery in the community that inspired its name.

Construction is set to begin this summer on what would be the first brewing operation of any kind in Frisco. The brewery is expected to occupy a 10-15000 square foot space near the corner of Frisco Street and Research Road, with a target move-in date of December. Allowing time for licensing, as well as equipment delivery and installation, FCG hopes to open by the end of the first quarter next year.

Founder David Clark, who's lived and worked in and around Frisco for over 15 years, says the choice of that particular North Texas community was based on his belief that it represents a "new center for economic growth along the Dallas North Tollway." The city has been excited about the project from day one, and Clark hopes that by producing a quality product FCG will attract a groundswell of local support making Frisco a "sustainable home for a long time to come."

Joining him in the venture is Jonny Daylett, who will take on the role of head brewer. Daylett completed the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering Program offered by the American Brewers Guild in early 2013, which included an apprenticeship at Four Corners with long-time brewer John Sims. He's also worked to gain experience by interning at the Lakewood Brewing Company and points to invaluable lessons he learned while volunteering with Michael Peticolas at the Peticolas Brewing Company in Dallas.

The two met at an Open the Taps event in 2012 during a time when Clark and his wife Anna were working to develop a brewery under a different name. After exchanging ideas and finding common ground, they began brewing together in the spring of 2013. In an interesting bit of history, you could have gotten your first taste of one of the beers they're working on in November 2012. It was during the inaugural Dallas Beer Week, no less, and it happened as part of a special tour at FireWheel in association with that event. At the time the beer was called The Pear Necessities (a prickly pear wheat), and it was one of a number of guest brews on tap that evening produced by Jonny and wife Amorae.

That beer, along with offerings like their Texas-style lager, Chiltepin Porter and Double Black Wheat will be representative of a brewing philosophy Clark says is centered on feeding the "inner homebrewer spirit while staying true to those aspects that made us passionate about craft beer in the first place. For us those aspects include creative experimentation, collaboration and meticulous attention to quality." They intend to explore both new and classic styles, with some of their more forward-thinking ideas to be released in the form of a limited edition bomber series called BrewLab™.

On that note, plans call for FCG beers to be produced in kegs at first, with four-packs, six-packs and bombers to follow within the first few months of operation. The primary market for their brews will be Frisco and the immediately surrounding area, with accounts at craft beer-focused bars and restaurants around the Metroplex being a priority as well.

"Handcrafted, Passion Driven, Texas Brewed." Those are the kind of beers Clark and Daylett hope to deliver to North Texans in the near future, with a further goal of showing others "that Texas has a lot to offer in the world of craft beer."

Follow the progress of Frisco City Grainworks on Twitter and Facebook, or visit their website at www.friscocitygrainworks.com.

*UPDATE: As of October 2014, Frisco City Grainworks has ceased development.*

At 3 Stacks, beer and BBQ does a body good

Image credit:  3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House

If you weren't aware of it already, we live in a place where the official state food is chili and the official beer of Texas is a bland, lifeless shell of a beverage brewed by a company headquartered in California. What's wrong with this picture?  

Thankfully, we don't have to play by these rules.  We can eat what should be the state's official food, that being true Texas BBQ, and drink local beers that actually have taste.  Even better, we can enjoy them together at a new place up the road in Frisco.

Open since February, 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House is built upon the reputation of a man called the "The Rib Whisperer".  His story, and that of what you can expect from the culinary side of this particular establishment has been well-covered elsewhere, perhaps no better than on the Texas Monthly BBQ Blog.  OK, so what about the beer? 

Close to forty taps along the back wall offer up the obligatory macros and a few of those faux-craft varieties, but for the most part options favor artisan brews.   It appears to be a set menu, given the appearance of only one true seasonal, but style choices are reasonably diverse and there's plenty of local flavor.  In fact, roughly a quarter of the total tap count comes from area brewers Lakewood, Peticolas, Rahr, FireWheel and Franconia. 

If there's one beef (see what I did there?), it's that draft beers are brought to your table in a chilled glass.  That equates to a pint-sized party foul from a beer geek's perspective, but in a place like 3 Stacks craft beer should probably be viewed as more of a convenience.  Besides, this is Texas, a place where warming things up usually isn't that much of a problem.

The folks at 3 Stacks also provide a set of cicerone suggested beer and BBQ pairings, a nod to a statement on their website to the effect of loving nothing more than enjoying "smokey BBQ with a nice cold beer".   You'll find these conveniently located on the coaster in front of you.  That is, as long as you don't spill barbecue sauce all over it first.


3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House
4226 Preston Road
Frisco