Rabbit Hole ending its run in Justin

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

After more than five years in business, Rabbit Hole Brewing has announced it will close its doors in Justin.

Rabbit Hole debuted in December 2013, bringing with it a unique branding approach centered on author Lewis Carroll and his book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Beer names like Dark Snark, JabberBock, JubJub, and Off With Your Red played up the theme, drawing inspiration from Alice  and Carroll's other works, Jabberwocky and The Hunting of the Snark.

The company was also well-known for its partnership with hockey Hall of Famer and former Dallas Star, Mike Modano. One of Rabbit Hole's original beers, Mike Modano's 561 Kölsch-style beer, paid tribute to Modano's career goal total, a number which stands as the current record for American-born players in the National Hockey League (NHL).

As for your chance to raise a final toast to Rabbit Hole, a message on the brewery's website indicates it will remain open through the next two weekends, with taproom hours September 6-7 and September 13-14.

JubJub taking roost at Rabbit Hole

Images courtesy of Rabbit Hole Brewing.

Soon, a couple of odd birds will take roost at Rabbit Hole, as the Justin-based brewery releases two new beers for summer.

The first of these is JubJub, a classic German hefeweizen that's said to shine as bright as its namesake. The namesake, in this case, being the Jubjub bird from the world of Lewis Carroll. Yet, while the Jubjub was a creature to be wary of in Carroll's work (appearing in Jabberwocky  and The Hunting of the Snark), a pre-release note promises the beer will be something to savor.

"There is little reason to fear this JubJub, as it is the perfect summer quaff.  Cloudy by design, the soft malted wheat flavor is perfectly complimented by a bold finish of banana and clove derived from the beer's signature yeast still in suspension."

Also in the works is a variation of JubJub infused with a touch of tangerine.

"By adding a dash of whimsy and a hint of folly to JubJub, the complex aroma and flavor of JubJub Tangerine was created.  The strong, sweet citrus note of tangerine expands the already bold clove and banana flavors of the classic hefeweizen to a realm that is all its own."

So, when can consumers expect to have these birds in the hand?

Look for JubJub to be available on draft beginning May 22, with a taproom debut set to occur during Rabbit Hole's annual Summer in Wonderland celebration on Saturday, May 26 (click here to purchase tickets for the event).

As for JubJub Tangerine, look for that bird to land in early June.

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

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

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

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

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

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

A darkness is emerging from the Rabbit Hole

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

This week, Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin will release Midnight Snark (10.6% ABV), a beer that should fit the bill if you're feeling a need to embrace the dark side.

Originally appearing on occasion as a brewery-only offering, this will be the first time Midnight Snark as been available commercially. The beer is an export stout that's spent more than four months aging in bourbon barrels sourced from Witherspoon Distillery of Lewisville. However, don't see "Snark" and assume that Midnight Snark is simply a barrel-aged version of Dark Snark, another of Rabbit Hole's seasonal offerings.

According to co-founder Laron Cheek, the recipe behind Midnight Snark is slightly different than that of its sibling brew. For one thing, there's no fruit addition in Midnight Snark, a beer that also features a heftier grain bill, not to mention a change in hops. Rabbit Hole used Phoenix hops for this creation, a variety which should complement the base beer well. That's because chocolate and molasses are among the hop's characteristic flavors.

On that note, Midnight Snark is said to be a smooth, roasty brew that features elements of caramel, coffee, cocoa and vanilla. Naturally, bourbon is player as well, adding what the brewery describes as a "bold spirit finish" to the beer. That, Rabbit Hole says, makes Midnight Snark the sort of brew one seeks to help ward off the approaching autumn chill.

As for when it will hit the streets, launch parties for Midnight Snark are scheduled to occur at various locales on Thursday, October 19 (see list below). It will also be on tap at the brewery beginning Friday, October 20, where you can also pick up bottles to take home. Rabbit Hole will release a total of 660 22-ounce bombers of Midnight Snark, with the first 240 to be sold at the brewery. Remaining bottles will appear at select retail locations in North Texas (and Austin) starting next week.


Look for Midnight Snark at these upcoming events:

Thursday, October 19

• Dallas Craft Co., The Colony - 6 p.m.
• Dallas Craft Co., Keller - 6 p.m.
• Drunken Donkey, Lewisville - 6 p.m.
• State Draft House, Flower Mound - 6 p.m.
• World of Beer, Arlington - 6 p.m.

Friday, October 20

• Rabbit Hole Brewing, Justin - 5 p.m. (bottle and draft release)

Saturday, October 21

• Rabbit Hole Brewing, Justin - 12 p.m. (bottle and draft release)

Tuesday, October 24

• Kool Keg, Arlington - 6 p.m.

Thursday, October 26

• LUCK, Dallas - 6 p.m.

Go beerserk with Rabbit Hole's newest brew

Graphics for Shield Biter recall the rooks of the the Lewis chessmen - a set of game pieces
discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland during the year 1836 (Rabbit Hole Brewing).

Are you ready to go beerserk? If so, then you'll want to reach for the latest offering from Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin.

Shield Biter is a strong Scotch ale (otherwise known as a wee heavy) that's described as an animalistic 8% ABV brew, with notes of lightly-toasted bread and biscuity malt complimenting ruthlessly rich caramel and dark fruit flavors.

Signature Shield Biter glassware will be available while supplies last at
launch events occurring on Thursday, September 14 (Rabbit Hole Brewing).

According to a pre-release note, the inspiration for the beer is drawn from the Viking Age - a period that dates from the late 8th century to the mid-11th century in Northern European and Scandinavian history.

"Old Norse literature paints the picture of a Berserker, a near mythical warrior, as wild and fierce as an animal. So resilient, their skin was said to be able to resist fire and iron, and so savage, they are traditionally depicted as gnawing on their own shields!"

Look for Shield Biter to be available on tap for a limited time beginning Thursday, September 14. Launch parties are scheduled at a number of establishments on Thursday as well, with festivities set to occur at Dallas Craft Co. Keller, East Side Denton and LUCK.

Rabbit Hole ready to release "The Rabbit"

Image credit:
Rabbit Hole Brewing

This week, fans of Rabbit Hole Brewing will begin a quest to "snare the hare," as the Justin-based brewery releases it's newest creation, El Conejo (4.6% ABC, 25 IBU).

Translating from Spanish to English as "The Rabbit," El Conejo is a pale Mexican-style lager that derives most of its flavor from a recipe designed with a mix of German ingredients. And, while some may wonder about how a taste of Germany makes its way into a Mexican beer, it should be noted the development of Mexico's brewing industry can be tied to an influx of German settlers that arrived in the country during the late 19th century. In other words, many of today's Mexican lagers are borne of either German or Bohemian influence.

As for El Conejo, the beer is fermented for an extended time with a traditional lager yeast. According to a pre-release notice from the brewery, this is said to give the beer a crisp, dry finish, which coupled with the beer's clean flavor profile, makes El Conejo perfect for drinking during hot summer days and nights in Texas.

Look for El Conejo to be available on tap beginning Wednesday, July 26. A release party for the beer has been scheduled as well, with that occurring on Thursday, July 27, at Dallas Craft Co. in Keller.

Rabbit Hole bottling School of Bock

Image credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing.

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

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

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

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

Rabbit Hole unleashing JabberBock, January 20

Image courtesy of Rabbit Hole Brewing.

Starting the new year with a new beer, Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin has announced an upcoming seasonal offering brewed in the style of a German maibock.

The JabberBock, as the beer will be called, brings to mind the fictional Jabberwock character from Lewis Carrol's nonsense poem, Jabberwocky. The work appeared in the novel Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Fans of the brewery will no doubt recall that beers like Tweedleyum and Off With Your Red found inspiration in the same book, based on the appearances of the characters Tweedledum and the Red Queen.

As for JabberBock, a press release describes the beer as a "malty maibock that sports a clean and smooth mouthfeel, with a gentle warming and a subtle hop character lurking beneath a bready German malt base." It's designed to be rich and somewhat strong, but not overbearing, being the type of beer best enjoyed during the spring transition from the cold of winter to the warmth of summer.

Look for JabberBock to be available on draft, and only for a limited time, with deliveries beginning on January 20.

JabberBock

Style: Maibock

ABV: 6.9%

IBU: 30

Malts: Pilsner, Munich and Vienna
Hops: Perle, Tettnang

Rabbit Hole releases details on upcoming cans

Following an earlier announcement on social media, Rabbit Hole Brewing Company has released additional details on the upcoming debut of the company's products in cans.

From a press release:

"The demand for locally-brewed craft beer is higher than ever. To help bring unique flavors and one-of-a-kind tastes to beer enthusiasts across the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and surrounding areas, Rabbit Hole Brewing is excited to offer 12-ounce aluminum cans in select varieties. Beginning October 2015, beer fans can find three of their favorite Rabbit Hole flavors on store shelves in the new packaging."

Varieties and distribution dates are given below with full views of the product packaging (click each image to enlarge).

October 1:

October 5:

October 15: