Tilray closing Revolver taproom in Granbury, planning new location

Image credit: Tilray Brands.

In February of this year, Tilray Brands announced operational changes affecting Revolver Brewing of Granbury. This news came six months after the company acquired Revolver from Molson Coors in September 2024.

At the time, the plan was to move large-scale brewing operations to other Tilray facilities (non-resident brewer's licenses exist for company-owned breweries in Colorado, Georgia, Oregon and Wisconsin), with the Granbury taproom carrying on while focused on small-batch, "innovative brews." A license covering Revolver's satellite location at Texas Live in Arlington was surrendered in February as well, with that locale now operating as a Blue Moon-branded taproom.

Today, a subsequent announcement on Revolver's social media channels has indicated the Granbury taproom will close on Saturday, December 6, ahead of an intended move to a new location. This was perhaps foreshadowed by the pending sale of Revolver's equipment through New Mill Capital and the approaching expiration of the Granbury license on December 12.

As for where Revolver's taproom may end up, details on a potential destination were not revealed.

Operational changes in store for Revolver

Image © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Industry chatter circulating on Monday morning suggested changes were in the works at Revolver Brewing of Granbury. Recall that Tilray Brands, a global lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company based out of New York, purchased the brewery (and others) from Molson Coors in September. This led some to speculate that operations at Revolver might be subject to consolidation down the road.

And yes, that is indeed the case, at least to some degree. While large-scale brewing will no longer take place in Granbury, the site will still function in other capacities. What remains to be learned is what this all means for the Revolver Brewhouse in Arlington.

From Tilray Brands:

"As the Tilray Beverages business continues to evolve and transform, we have undertaken a reallocation of resources to enhance efficiency and leverage synergies. As such, large-scale production will transition from the Revolver Brewing facility to other brewing locations. The Revolver Brewing facility will continue to operate, focusing on unique and innovative brews, and the taproom will remain open.

We are grateful for our employees’ commitment and are confident these adjustments will enhance customer experience and ensure our long-term success."

Revolver adds new Blood to year-round lineup

Blood brothers in beer: Blood & Honey and Blood & Honey Light from Revolver (Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Counted among the many North Texas breweries celebrating 10-year anniversaries of late is Revolver Brewing of Granbury. Debuting in October 2012, the company has gone on to become one the area's largest production operations, rolling out in the neighborhood of 30,000 barrels of beer 2022 (combined numbers, according to the Brewers Association, including the Revolver Brewhouse satellite in Arlington).

And yes, the brewery was acquired by MillerCoors in 2016. Despite what some may think of that, Revolver can also boast to having the top-selling locally-made craft beer in its portfolio. The company's flagship, Blood & Honey, has been a staple of Revolver's lineup since day one, making it one of the few North Texas beers to remain in continuous production for the last decade.

Now, popularity aside, where and when to drink Blood & Honey is a pertinent question. The beer's 7.0% ABV might be a bit much for lakeside loungers basking in the heat of a typical Texas summer day. Recognizing this, Revolver recently launched Blood & Honey Light, a year-round beer made with the same ingredients (blood orange peel, local honey and spices), but with a lower ABV of only 4.5%.

So, how does Blood & Honey compare with its slimmed-down sibling?

Sipping the two beers side-by-side, Blood & Honey Light is breadier, while the original is, well...bloodier. The honey and spice character is less upfront in the Light version, allowing the beer's bready base (malted two-row barley and wheat) to show a bit more. Conversely, Blood & Honey presents with fuller flavors, as it highlights the interplay of sweet honey notes offset by a more noticeable bitter orange peel element.

Blood & Honey is also heavier on the palate, though that and the above comparison just shines a spotlight on Blood & Honey Light's reason to be in the first place. The new beer offers an easier-drinking alternative with enhanced refreshment, all the while not sacrificing the flavors that built the Blood & Honey fanbase.

Look for Blood & Honey in six-packs of 12-ounce cans and bottles wherever Revolver beers are sold. Consumers can also pick up a Blood & Honey 50/50 mix-pack, featuring six cans each of Blood & Honey and Blood & Honey Light.

Grab a beer and a burger at Brew Aleworks in Granbury

Beer and food options at Brew Aleworks include Charleston Amber (red ale, lower left) and The Hawaiian
(turkey burger with teriyaki sauce and fresh bell pepper, lower right). All images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Locales for enjoying a craft beer at the source are a little lean in the far southwest region of North Texas, but late last year a new destination emerged with the opening of Brew Aleworks in Granbury.

Brew Aleworks is a sister business to Brew Drinkery & Bistro, a taproom/restaurant in the city, both of which are operated by owner Christian Piatt. In fact, the first Aleworks recipes were tapped at the Drinkery beginning in mid-July. Production initially took place at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine, while construction was completed on the new spot.

Open now since September, Brew Aleworks occupies a roughly 3000 square foot retail space located at 715 Autumn Ridge Dr. in Granbury. The brewpub presents with a bar and grill-type setup, albeit with 1920s Prohibition-era styling. Art deco artwork and fixtures enhance the flapper feel, which further extends to house beer identifiers like Bugsy Lager, Jitterbug Pale Ale, Charleston Amber and Speakeasy Stout.

Those beers join a year-round portfolio which also includes 33 Hefeweizen, Dizzy Blonde, and Lucky Light Lager. Classic and straightforward styles top-to-bottom, in case you hadn't noticed, the amber and pale ales being personal favorites. Each is crafted on a seven-barrel system at Brew Aleworks, with seasonal rotators and an occasional barrel-aged beer (currently a doppelbock) supplementing the everyday lineup. 

On the food side of things, appetizers, gourmet burgers, chicken sandwiches and salads appear on the menu. And if you go with a burger, know you have a number of options to choose from, not only with regards to patty-type (beef, bison, lamb, turkey, black bean), but with the fries on the side as well (regular, Cajun, black truffle parmesan).

As for other beverages, soda, sparkling water and NA beers are kept on hand for non-drinkers, while wine, cider and hard seltzers are available for those not into beer, but wanting the extra kick.

Brew Aleworks is open six days a week, with operating hours on Tuesday-Sunday. Give 'em a try should you find yourself in need of good beer and good grub in Granbury.

Brew Aleworks aims for late spring opening in Granbury

Image courtesy of Brew Aleworks.

Residents of Granbury will soon have access to another source of locally-made beer, once a new brewpub opens in the city later this year.

According to owner Christian Piatt, development is underway on Brew Aleworks, a small-batch brewpub to be located in a 3000 square foot retail center space at 715 Autumn Ridge. Piatt, an already established business owner in Granbury, opened Brew Drinkery - a taproom and restaurant - there in January 2020.

As for Brew Aleworks, Piatt says the style of the place will have a 1920s Prohibition-era vibe. They'll offer a menu of upscale pub food (think gourmet burgers, wings and pizzas) served alongside beers produced on a seven-barrel system designed by Specific Mechanical Systems of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Recipes will focus predominantly on classic styles to start, with plans calling for a blonde ale, American amber, hefeweizen, hazy pale ale, Mexican lager and milk stout.

Piatt hopes to open Brew Aleworks in late May, or early June.

Revolver trots out BLDG 5 Tap Room at Texas Live

Opening night images from opening night at Revolver's BLDG 5 Tap Room at
Texas Live in Arlington (Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Completing work on a second location outside of Granbury, Revolver Brewing opened the doors to its new BLDG 5 Tap Room at Texas Live in Arlington on Thursday.

Revolver has been a presence in the North Texas beer scene since fall 2012, and while the company has undergone physical growth in Granbury during the last seven years, this is company's first foray outside its original borders.

"Around this time in 2012, we were scraping and leveling ground to pour the foundation for what would become BLDG 1 in Granbury," says Grant Wood, co-founder and brewmaster at Revolver. "Over the years, we've expanded in Granbury to BLDG 2, BLDG 3, and BLDG 4, so that's where the BLDG 5 name comes from. Basically, this is the fifth building of the brewery."

The name is just one way Revolver has worked to maintain a connection to Granbury with the BLDG 5 project, something Wood says was an important factor in the design and development of the new venture.

"We wanted to make sure we made a connection to Granbury," explains Wood, "so we brought some of the elements of Granbury to Texas Live. The picnic tables, the big bench, a bunch of toolboxes and old tools from the brewery bring in the feels, the textures of Granbury. It's the Granbury experience, plus."

Of course, a big part of the experience is beer, and to deliver on that Revolver has installed a three-vessel, 10-barrel brewhouse at Texas Live. Built by W.M. Sprinkman of Wisconsin, it's similar to what Revolver is using in Granbury, albeit "nicer, with a little upgrade and some automation," according to Wood.

On that note, brewing operations have yet to commence at BLDG 5 (beers currently on tap were brewed in Granbury), but the first brew day is slated to take place early next week. From there, it'll take six-to-seven weeks for production to get to where all beers are brewed in house.

"The first brew we'll make at BLDG 5 is a beer we call Five Flags," reveals Wood.  "It's a pale ale-type beer with five different hops from five different nations. It's a very old recipe, and one of the first I made in Granbury. It didn't make the cut as a commercial-scale beer at the time, so I'm kind of dusting it off and updating it a little bit."

Beyond that, consumers should expect a regular rotation of recipes to appear on the tap wall at BLDG 5. In fact, Wood doesn't foresee brewing any one beer twice for the first few months. At the same time, though, he's not discounting the possibility of a flagship BLDG 5 beer down the road.

"We have to be aware of what the public is saying," says Wood. "When we get liquid to lips and get feedback...then, maybe a certain beer will take off where people say we really like this, and it becomes a mainstay. Then, we'd have a beer on tap as BLDG 5's signature."

Revolver also intends to take advantage of the centralized location of BLDG 5, relative to Dallas and Fort Worth, by distributing select BLDG 5 beers at some point.

"Beers made here are primarily for the taproom," adds Wood, "but if some are particularly desirable, we'll get them out to have other folks tasting them."

As for other BLDG 5 amenities, a menu of bar bites is available to patrons, with selections created by fellow Texas Live tenant, Lockhart Smokehouse. A private event space called the Founder's Room is also under construction on-site, with this area to be used to host tastings, beer dinners and the like for upwards of 60-70 people.

Revolver opening second location at Texas Live, February 20

Image credit: Revolver Brewing.

Texas Live! has revealed details for Revolver Brewing BLDG 5, a taproom and brewery set to debut at the 200,000-square-foot dining, entertainment and sports complex in Arlington. The venue will open to the public on Thursday, February 20, and will feature a brew pub, tasting room and private event space.

Revolver was was founded in 2012 by father and son Ron and Rhett Keisler, and brew master Grant Wood. The brewery's original facility is located southwest of Fort Worth in Granbury, but the addition of BLDG 5 at Texas Live! allows Revolver to plant a flag closer to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

In addition, the BLDG 5 space will house an experimental pilot brewery, offering guests a first look at new and innovative small batches of craft beer.

“At Revolver Brewing, we encourage people to ‘drink different’ and visitors to our BLDG 5 at Texas Live! will get a real sense of what we mean,” says co-founder Rhett Keisler. “You’ll find favorites like Blood & Honey there, but the BLDG 5 brewery also will be a playground for our brewers, a place where they can try new beers and get immediate feedback from beer drinkers.”

As Revolver continues to grow and expand across Texas and in neighboring states, its presence at Texas Live! presents an opportunity to introduce its beers to thousands of new people each month. Plus, BLDG 5 creates a special experience for people visiting Texas Live!

“Revolver Brewing is known for bringing a fresh perspective to world-class craft beer in the Dallas/Fort Worth region,” says Jim Watry, CEO of Texas Live! “BLDG 5 will create a completely unique experience and a special opportunity for our guests of age to enjoy brand new batches of beer created right here at Texas Live!”

Once it opens, visitors to BLDG 5 will be able to experience the brewing process while enjoying one-of-a-kind beers paired with specialty menu items, including fare from Lockhart Smokehouse. There will also be pet-friendly seating outdoors that flows into a courtyard overlooking the newly-opened Live! by Loews hotel.

Revolver reveals plans for new cans, a new beer and New Mexico

Image courtesy of Revolver Brewing.

Changes are afoot at Revolver Brewing, as the Granbury-based company has a number of new things in the works as it prepares for the coming year.

Perhaps chief among these changes is the move to cans. Blood & Honey, Sidewinder, Full-Tang IPA (now a year-round offering) and the brewery's new Long-Range Pils will be canned, with beers in the new format set to go on sale statewide on February 19.

"These beers will be available in six-pack sleeved boxes at most retail stores that carry craft beer," says Grant Wood, brewmaster at Revolver.  "This makes it so much easier to bring your favorite Revolver beers to the river, the poolside, the golf course - all those places where bottles are not welcome."

Speaking of Long-Range Pils, on top of being a new addition to the brewery's portfolio for 2018, that beer represents Revolver's first commercial foray into lagers. Bringing together ingredients from both at home and abroad, Long-Range Pils is a German-style pilsner with a little touch of America that's designed to go the distance with you.

"As a brewer, I am very excited that we have moved into the lager side of the brewing family tree," says Wood. "We’re brewing Long-Range Pils with Bohemian Pilsner malt from Germany, along with U.S. Mosaic, Czech Saaz, and German Saphir hops. Bavarian lager yeast brings all the ingredients together.  With an alcohol level under 5% by volume and bitterness units in the high 20’s, it's a sessionable lager with some depth of flavor to keep it interesting."

Long-Range Pils will debut on draft ahead of the package release to give consumers a taste of what's to come in cans a few weeks later. The first kegs will tap at the brewery this weekend, with draft accounts seeing deliveries beginning January 29.

Wood also shared the news that Revolver is planning to venture outside of Texas for the first time in its history. Come spring, the company will begin shipping beer to New Mexico. All four of the aforementioned core products will be making the trip west, as Revolver looks to introduce its brand of beer to the Land of Enchantment.

Revolver releases Full-Tang for the first time in bottles

Image credit: Revolver Brewing.

After first appearing on the scene last summer as a draft-only offering, Full-Tang IPA from Revolver Brewing is out this week for the first time in bottles, and it's likely already resting on a retail shelf near you.

Full-Tang (7.2% ABV, 50 IBU) is an IPA that's brewed with tangerine peel, along with four different hop varieties (Saphir, Mandarina, Apollo and Citra), to fulfill the brewery's "tangerine-fueled" quest to design a stellar IPA.

In fact, two of the hop varieties used - Mandarina and Saphir - are noted for their tangerine qualities, with Mandarina sometimes being described as a "tangerine machine." Brought together with flavors imparted by the addition of Apollo and Citra hops, the resulting brew features a mix of tropical and citrus fruit flavors backed by an engaging floral essence.

Packaged in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles, Full-Tang IPA's official release date was May 8, with availability forecasted to last through July. After that, expect to see Redshift Spiced Red Ale to land on local shelves, with bottles of that beer slated to hit the market during the first week of August. For more on that and other products to come later this year, check out Revolver's complete 2017 release schedule on the brewery's website.

Revolver partners with Andrews for DFW distribution

Image courtesy of Revolver Brewing.

After closing on a deal to sell a majority interest to Tenth and Blake Beer Co., the craft and import division of MillerCoors, on Friday, Revolver Brewing of Granbury, Texas, announced it has entered into a partnership with Andrews Distributing for the delivery of its products in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Revolver was founded in 2012 by the father and son team of Ron and Rhett Keisler. The Keisler's were joined on the project by Grant Wood, who had made a name for himself as a brewmaster with Samuel Adams. The group then went on to create a portfolio of upwards of 20 beers, including the brewery's flagship brand, Blood & Honey American Ale.

Mike McGuire, president of Andrews Distributing, said the Andrews team looks forward to working with Revolver and supporting such a strong brewery.

"It's been great to watch Ron, Rhett, Grant and the entire Revolver team build such a strong brand in their short history," said McGuire. "Revolver has become a local craft staple in the Dallas/Fort Worth area due to their team's hard work and attention to detail, and we look forward to helping build their brands in our backyard for years to come."

A perspective on the partnership from Revolver's point of view was provided by co-founder Rhett Keisler, who indicated the coming together of the two companies made for a perfect fit.

"We are looking forward to working with the team at Andrews," said Keisler. "Andrews has a reputation in the market for quality and service, and that really fits well with our ethos of hard work and doing things right. We think the combination of our beers with the distribution power and knowledge of craft beer Andrews brings to the table is going to make for a powerful partnership in the market."

According to a press release, Andrews will begin distributing Revolver beers throughout North Texas, with the exception of Denton County, on September 12.