Oak & Stone opens first Texas franchise in McKinney

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

A new craft kitchen with "loaded taps" is encouraging patrons to make pour decisions, now that it's open in a recently-built retail center at 8575 W. University Dr. (U.S. 380) in McKinney.

First founded in 2015, Oak & Stone is a Florida-based concept under the Artistry Restaurants banner featuring a self-pour tapwall experience. As of now, the company has eight locations in Florida, with McKinney being the first one established in Texas. It won't be the last, though, since another locale is set to open later this year in Addison.

A sign declaring that "Beer Tastes Better in McKinney" is the first thing you'll notice when entering the new North Texas spot, which consists of around 6,000 square feet. Seating options are split between the indoor public space, and a covered patio section outdoors.

On the consumables, the food menu at Oak & Stone has an elevated pub grub feel (apps, wings, pizzas, burgers/handhelds, salads), but the centerpiece of the place is certainly the self-pour tapwall. And it's not all about barley and hops, as upwards of 50 rotating handles pour beer, wine, cocktails and spirits (tequila, whiskey), as well as non-alcoholic options including root beer, soda, lemonade and more.

Roughly half of the taps are devoted to craft beer, with products primarily sourced from local breweries. Current selections hail from 3 Nations, Armor, Community, Lakewood, Manhattan Project, Martin House, Peticolas, Rollertown, Texas Ale Project, Three Wide and Tupps.

The closest thing to a macro on tap was a beer from Golden Road, with others beers like Lone Star and Shiner available in cans behind the bar.

As for pricing, most draft pours run $0.50 - $0.60 per ounce, with dark beers (porter, stout) and a fruited sour being higher-priced outliers. Beers may be poured into a provided pint glass, snifter, or a collection of sample glasses, with flight boards available to transport the latter.

Oak & Stone - McKinney serves patrons daily, with hours beginning at 11 a.m. from Monday-Friday, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Get fizzy with it this weekend at Tupps, during Bubbly Bash 2025

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery will celebrate all things bubbly with hard seltzers, ciders, sparking wines, cocktails and more to be served during Bubbly Bash 2025, taking place this Saturday, August 30 at 6 p.m., in Downtown McKinney.

In addition to the brewery's line of Blur and Chilton hard seltzers, this effervescent event will feature cocktail and mimosa tastings, as well as hard cider pours from City Orchard of Houston.

The lineup:

• Chilton Hard Seltzers – Original, Strawberry, Peach, Blueberry, Pickle.
• Blur Hard Seltzers – Pineapple, Strawberry, Grapefruit, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Cotton Candy, Fruity Cereal, Mojito, Bubble Gum, Hop Oil.
• Cocktails – Ranch Water on Draft, Hibiscus Ranch Water.
• Mimosa Bar – Mix & match with assorted juices.
• City Orchard Ciders – Hazy Gold, Lavender Royale.

In addition, guests can enjoy a Bubble Truck experience during the first hour, live music throughout the day, delicious food, and plenty of space to gather with friends and family.

"We created Bubbly Bash as a way to celebrate the lighter, sparkling side of beverages in a fun and festive atmosphere," says Nicole Wright, event planner at Tupps. "Tupps is more than just a brewery—we’re a place where people can enjoy a wide variety of drinks beyond beer. Whether you’re sipping on a mimosa, trying a new hard seltzer flavor, or just enjoying live music with friends, it’s all about raising a glass to enjoy the last bit of summer."

Bubbly Bash 2025 is family-friendly, dog-friendly (outdoors areas only) and free to attend with food and beverage items available for individual purchase.

Attendees (ages 21+ only) may also purchase a tasting package which includes a Bubbly Bash-branded stemless champagne flute, along with a taster card good for eight (6-ounce) pours of their choice. Tickets for this option are $40.85pp (including taxes and fees) and are available here: https://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2853111880080118577.

Tupps to host inaugural Sausage Fest, June 14

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

This Father's Day weekend, Tupps Brewery of McKinney will be offering patrons the best of the wurst during the company's first ever Sausage Fest, taking place on Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m.

According to a press release, "this one-of-a-kind celebration brings together the best of North Texas sausage and craft beer for an unforgettable day of delicious indulgence, live music and spirited competitions."

Tupps will welcome sausage legends from around the region, serving up a total of eight curated sausage samples expertly paired with eight signature Tupps beers.

The menu:

• The Grain Room at Tupps Brewery: Alsatian Country Sausage + Farmhouse Ale.
• Hamm's Meat + Market of McKinney: Summer Sausage + Day Pass Belgian-Style Wheat Ale.
• Corner BBQ Shack of McKinney: Polish Rings + Backyard Bock.
• Jimmy's Food Store of Dallas: Hot Italian Sausage + Tupps IPA.
• Kuby's Sausage House of Dallas: Jalapeño Sausage + Salted Lime Mexican Lager.
• Deep Cuts Dallas: Butcher's Choice + Hefeweizen.
• Local Yocal Farm to Market of McKinney: Brisket & White Cheddar + Juice Pack Hazy IPA.
• Ye Ole Butcher Shop of Plano: Hot Links + East Side Lager.

Additional attractions at Sausage Fest will include live music, a hot dog eating contest, a dad bod contest and more (contest sign-ups will be on-site the day of the event). There will also be gourmet sausage dishes and other food available for purchase, along with beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Tickets are not required to attend, but tasting tickets are the only way to enjoy the sausage and beer pairings - and they're expected to sell out. Pre-purchasing is highly encouraged to ensure there is enough sausage for everyone, so click on the following link to secure your spot: https://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/-2853111880211067068.

Union Bear expands its pawprint to McKinney

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Union Bear Brewing Co. is now open at 308 W. Virginia St. in McKinney, as the brewpub brand operated by 33 Restaurant Group has expanded operations to a third location set just a block or so back from the city's downtown square.

So, what's the new place like? Well, it's a lot like Union Bear, of course. Indeed, if you've been to either the Denton or Plano outpost, you've already got a good idea of what to expect in terms of the look and decor. The primary difference being that McKinney is a restaurant only in terms of operations, as no brewing activity takes place on site.

Even so, visitors will still be able to enjoy a wide variety of Union Bear beers. According to Coty Bell, director of brewing operations, "McKinney will get the best of both worlds with our favorite beers from our Denton and Plano breweries." In other words, standards like the brewpub's Blonde, Amber and Mexican Style Lager will be on tap regularly, with specialties from the production locales mixed into a daily lineup of up to 20 draft beers.

As for dining in, there are a few adjustments to the food menu compared to other locations as well. There's the familiar range of sandwiches, snacks and greens, but in McKinney they plate Sicilian-style bar pizzas (as opposed to flabreads in Plano, and hand-stretched pies in Denton), and you'll also find a wider selection of "Plates" (i.e. higher-end entrees) to choose from.

Then amenity-wise, there's a full bar serving cocktails and spirits, and if there's a game on, it'll surely be shown on one of more than a dozen flatscreen TVs. The main draw, though, may ultimately be the ambiance of the patio space, which runs fully along the east elevation. Most of it is covered, but there's a smaller, uncovered area with turf set aside for patrons and their pooches.

Oh, and let's not forget about the dedicated parking lot. It's limited to maybe 20 spots combined on the left and right side of the restaurant, but let's be honest, any sort of parking allotment is a welcome addition considering the urban address.

Union Bear McKinney offers service six days a week, with hours starting at 11 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday.

Franconia has closed McKinney site, will move operations

Logo: Franconia Brewing Co., Image:© Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

After months of uncertainty, Franconia Brewing Co. has announced the closure of its McKinney site, with the intention of moving operations to another location. The status of the brewery had been in limbo since January, when Franconia notified patrons of a temporary closure due to storm damage.

Changes at Franconia have perhaps been in the works since July 2023, when a commercial real estate listing on Crexi offered the business for sale "with or without the equipment." The ad has since been modified to include only the building, with the equipment now set to being auctioned off by New Mill Capital.

Further comments from the brewery on a social media post suggest Franconia intends to purchase all new equipment to outfit a new facility, the location of which is yet to be determined.

Franconia is currently owned by Arvind Sharma, an investor who took over after original founder Dennis Wehrmann exited in 2020.

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Update: According to court records, the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2024.

A first look at Tupps' new location in McKinney

A view from the balcony outside the rentable office space in the production building at Tupps (all images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

After over four years in development, Tupps Brewery is finally ready to pull back the curtain on its massive new facility near Downtown McKinney.

Conversations surrounding a move and expansion for Tupps began in 2019, with an official press release announcing the brewery's plans coming in July 2020. The setting for the new showplace to be a 4.3-acre site at 402 E. Louisiana St., with the project involving the repurposing of a 1900s-era grain processing site in the city's Historic Mill District.

A few finishing touches are still being applied, but Tupps welcomed visitors for a sneak peek during a preview event earlier this week. And to say the multi-faceted, multi-structure campus is impressive would be an understatement to say the least.

Tupps at twilight - taproom (left), production building (right).

The famous saying "everything is bigger in Texas" immediately comes to mind when walking the grounds. Comparing the brewery's new home to its previous digs inspires the obvious modifier, because now everything is bigger at Tupps.

Taproom? Bigger. Beer Garden? Bigger. Brewhouse? Bigger. You get the idea.

Beginning with the taproom, it now occupies the original grain milling building. Inside, features include multi-level seating areas, a full kitchen, and a bar backed by a two 20-handle tapwalls fashioned in the shape of giant barrels.

Just behind it is another building designed to function as an outdoor beer hall. Here, the old taproom will essentially be re-installed, providing a connection for those nostalgic for days spent at the brewery's first location.

Then, there's yet another building devoted to production - details on that to follow.

Tupps' brewhouse and equipment (left/right), and barrel-shaped tapwall (center).

Intermingled are countless other amenities. There's a dedicated kid's area, bocce ball court, swings, permanent vendor space (for the BYOB - Bring Your Own Business - program), and a stage for live music performances fronted by amphitheater-like lawn seating.

And, if you want to take your concert viewing experience to the next level, you can rent out an office space in the production building. This comes complete with its own kitchen, private bathrooms, and outdoor balcony seating which overlooks the stage below. You might say it's a little like having a suite at the AAC.

It all leads to the conclusion that Tupps may be a craft brewery first and foremost, but what the company has created with this new space is nothing less than a full-on, family-friendly entertainment destination.

Plus, the place has character. The historical setting is one thing, but Tupps has also added vintage touches here and there sourced from not only the grain mill, but the family's own treasure trove as well. Some would call them conversation pieces, but 'talking points at Tupps' seems a better turn of phrase.

More on individual aspects below.

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The Beer

Brewing operations have been underway for a number of weeks inside Tupps' four-story, 25,000 square foot production center. Chris Lewis, head brewer at Tupps, is working with a 4-vessel, 60-barrel brewhouse manufactured by Deutsche Beverage & Process. Additional equipment includes a 15-barrel pilot system, along with the requisite array of fermentation tanks.

"The beauty of this facility is we don't have to brew 24 hours a day," says Lewis. "We've got bigger equipment and we can do a lot more volume, but we've got the same crew from before doing the work."

Ask what the real game changer is, though, and the answer will likely be the loading dock, which facilitates distro pickup.

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The Food

Leading the kitchen at Tupps is Sean Frye, whose resume includes stints at Jasper's, Abacus and other restaurants founded by Chef Kent Rathbun.

Frye's everyday menu will be straightforward, but executed at a very high level, according to Chase Lewis, vice president of finance and strategy at Tupps.

"Kind of what to expect is brewpub-like food," says Lewis. "The menu is loaded with appetizers and bar snacks, but then you've got six awesome sandwiches, two or three salads, and two or three entrees. You're coming here to eat a burger, or a sandwich, or a taco, or maybe something like beer-battered salmon fish & chips."

A large smoker will also be employed on site, allowing for the creation of go-to barbecue items. And beer-inspired dishes? Those will pop up from time to time too.

"I want to take craft beeriness and inject that life into the kitchen to do weird, fun, innovative things," says Lewis. "Hopefully some of those ideas will turn into really cool specials."

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The Economics and Future Outlook

So, what drove this all-encompassing expansion?

For Tupps, it wasn't an issue of needing more capacity to fulfill orders for a flagship beer driving the brand, but rather sales data suggesting an increase production was in play for all of its year-round products.

"As we've grown up, core beers like Juice Pack, Evil Dankster and Tupps IPA have had steady growth for years and years," explains Lewis.

Given that, rather than chasing trends and being dependent on the success of hype beers that come and go like the breeze, foundational products will be the focus at Tupps going forward.

"I think stability will be the thing in the next ten years of craft beer," says Lewis. "It's about the stability of your base, and being a trusted brand that makes a good portfolio of different beers you can trust."

Along those lines, Lewis says balance and drinkability will be key for the future. That, and leveraging the brewery's size, scale and efficiencies to provide value to its customers.

In other words, Tupps hopes to provide patrons with the ability to enjoy beers they want to come back to, without breaking the bank.

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The Introductory Events

The public's first chance to take in Tupps' new surroundings will be during Festival of Darkness 2024, happening tomorrow - Saturday, February 24 (click here to purchase tickets).

Grand Opening Weekend takes place March 9-10, with live music on the bill, the soft opening of Tupps Kitchen, and the debut of the BYOB Vendor Space (click here for more information).

Tupps unveils Blur's first seasonal hard seltzer

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery of McKinney is closing out 2020 with the release of a new Blur hard seltzer designed to pair well with New Year's Eve activities.

“We thought it would be fun to craft a Champagne-flavored seltzer specifically to celebrate the New Year," says Chris Lewis, head brewer at Tupps/Blur. "This seltzer is full of bubbles, fruit-forward aroma and it finishes with a touch of Champagne flavor. It’s easy-drinking, low in sugar and low in calories. I’m pretty sure we are all ready for a fresh start in 2021 and here’s the perfect drink to bring to your New Year’s celebrations."

Tupps debuted the Blur brand with a variety pack of fruit infusions in September 2020. Champagne Bubbles is a seasonal seltzer, being the first one to hit the market.

“In 2021, we plan to launch seasonal hard seltzers all throughout the year," says Chase Lewis, sales and finance vice president of Tupps/Blur. "You will see some creative and delicious flavors from us that align with the season and even some holidays.”

Blur Champagne Bubbles is available now in six-packs of 12-ounce cans at retailers in Dallas-Fort Worth. Click here to find a location near you.

Tupps ringing in the new year with R.I.P. 2020

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

With its latest release, Tupps Brewery of McKinney wants to give everyone a reason to celebrate the start of a new year, so the company is telling 2020 to R.I.P and never come back!

That sentiment is front and center on the label of R.I.P. 2020, a double dry-hopped IPA, along with a variety other graphics representing things we've all endured during 2020 - the pandemic, murder hornets, natural disasters, toilet paper shortages and more.

“This year has been a roller coaster," says Keith Lewis, founder and president of Tupps. "We have had to shift our business plan multiple times, close the taproom, amp up our beer-to-go process and the list goes on. This year has been a tough one for everyone. We wanted to create a beer that everyone can relate to and a beer that tastes top notch so we can end this year on a good note and celebrate.”

As for the beer itself, the recipe for R.I.P 2020 features a wide range of Tupps' favorite hop varieties, including Citra, Galaxy, Nelson, Sultana, Ella, Vic Secret, El Dorado, Azacca, Cryo Citra, Cryo Mosaic, Sabro, and Idaho-7. 

“We have great relationships with our hop suppliers, and have solid hop contacts with them," says Chris Lewis, head brewer at Tupps. "We packed this beer with our favorite hops making this IPA super hazy, juicy and drinkable.”

R.I.P. 2020 will be available on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans beginning this week. Consumers in Dallas-Fort Worth can purchase R.I.P. 2020 to-go at Tupps taproom in McKinney, or pick it up at Kroger, Market Street, Total Wine, Spec's, Goody Goody, Whole Foods, Central Market and other local craft beer and wine stores. The beer will also be sold at major retailers in Austin, San Antonio and Oklahoma.

Tupps hitting the hard seltzer market with Blur

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

Craft brewing is no longer just about beer, as more and more local and national brewers are turning to hard seltzer as a way to diversify their product lines. The latest North Texas entity to take the leap is Tupps Brewery of McKinney, as the company is set to introduce its Blur Hard Seltzer line later this week.

“We’ve always been interested in exploring new products, says Keith Lewis, founder and president of Tupps. "The seltzer growth has been incredible, so once we found time in our production schedule, we knew it was go-time. With Blur we wanted to take the craft spirit we’ve cultivated at Tupps and put our stamp on the seltzer category. It has been a fun process working with my daughter and two sons to refine these flavor combinations."

Blur will be available in a variety 12-pack box to start, with six-packs of individual flavors to follow. The four "flavor combinations you never knew you needed" include: Mango Dragon Fruit, Lemon Blueberry, Passionfruit Watermelon and Hibiscus Apple. Each has only 105 calories, 2 grams of carbs and less than 1 gram of sugar.

“We taste tested so, so many different flavors, says Chris Lewis, head brewer at Tupps. "I’m actually surprised at how quickly we all agreed on these four flavor combinations. We all came to love the taste and really look forward to everyone enjoying these seltzers."

An official launch party for Blur will take place at Tupps on Saturday, October 3, from 12-9 p.m. Customers will be able to enjoy free seltzer samples, along with live music and a Blur-inspired menu served by the Barley Gastrovan food truck.

“We hope to host many launch parties and pop-up tasting events all over DFW in the coming weeks, says Katie Baker, marketing and events director at Tupps. "We know with Covid-19, things have been a bit off and weird, but we want to keep this a fun and exciting launch for everyone.”

Look for Blur Hard Seltzer at Kroger, Market Street, Central Market, Spec's Total Wine and other DFW wine/liquor stores.

Tupps Brewery moving to historic McKinney grain site

All images courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery will soon trade one historical setting for another, as the company is set to make a move closer to Downtown McKinney.

Since debuting in 2015, Tupps has occupied a 17,000-square-foot space at The McKinney Cotton Mill. However, the brewery has outgrown that location and will now expand to a spot with over 40,000 square feet on a 4.3-acre campus in the city's  Historic Mill District.

Helping to spur the project, the McKinney Community Development Corporation approved a grant in the amount of $11,333,262 for construction, and the McKinney Economic Development Corporation has provided a loan for use in purchasing additional equipment Tupps will use to meet growing market demand.

“The McKinney grain site is a perfect location to build our forever home as it fits the Tupps vibe and allows us to meet increased demand for our products while providing more space for additional customers visiting the brewery,” says Keith Lewis, founder and president of Tupps.

This new location will be an extension of Downtown McKinney in a grain processing factory that has been in operation for over 120 years. The layout will comprise a 12,000-square-foot taproom in the original grain-milling building, a state-of-the-art production facility and a retail shopping area housed in reused shipping containers.

Current view and future rendering of Tupps' new location.

“The city of McKinney is committed to revitalizing the eastside of our historic downtown area and I could not think of a better partner than Tupps to start this process. Tupps will bring much needed energy to this area which will attract other businesses and expand our historic downtown footprint,” says McKinney Mayor George Fuller.

On the production side, Tupps will operate in a 28,000 square foot facility. The building will incorporate a barrel-aging area housing over 200 barrels that will age unique beers to be available for sampling on selected tours and for sale in the brewery's beer-to-go store.

As for other amenities, Tupps is a family business to its core and will continue to welcome families both young and old. The brewery will have a unique playground for all ages and plenty of space to relax inside and out. To that end, in addition to a large outdoor stage hosting live music and theater performances, the site plan will include shops featuring local artists, craftsman, and food vendors.

Tupps has also pledged to continue its strong commitment to the community with charitable work. Tupps got started by brewing beer in Keith’s garage, so it wants to give other dreamers the ability to start their own business in a supportive environment.

Tupps hopes to raise $25,000 for Red Cross

Image credit: Tupps Brewery.

In early April, Tupps Brewery of McKinney created a variety 12 pack box to sell at retail, with the profits to be donated to the American Red Cross. The aim of the initiative, called Help Now, was to raise awareness for more blood donations, money for those who have lost their jobs, and food donations to replenish food banks.

“Help Now has been a huge success! We have had a couple of months under our belt and we want to give a super shoutout to all the people that helped us get to where we are on this, especially corporations who matched some of our donations.” says Keith Lewis, founder and president of Tupps.

The first run of Help Now 12-packs helped the brewery donate almost $10,000 to the Red Cross, and now Tupps wants to keep it going with round two.

A new goal to raise $25,000 has been set, and the hope is the second round can be even more impactful than the first. More and more people continue to file for unemployment, while missing rent and mortgage payments, and to compound things further, the Red Cross is running critically low on blood. Natural disasters do not slow down during a pandemic and the need for blood is at an all-time high.

“If you weren’t able to participate in round one, definitely come out and get the product for round two," adds Lewis. "Inside this box are 12 total beers with a selection of National Standard, our light American ale, and our Juice Pack, hazy pale ale."

More information regarding the Help Now project, as well as a list of retailers carrying the 12-pack, can be found on the brewery's website at https://tuppsbrewery.com/help/.

Tupps partners with National Breast Cancer Foundation for Rising Hope

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Tupps Brewery of McKinney is doing its part to raise awareness by partnering on a beer with one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world.

Rising Hope is the culmination of a collaboration started in August 2018, when Tupps founder and president, Keith Lewis, met the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) team to discuss a special beer created specifically to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

“I have many friends and family members that have been affected by cancer," says Lewis. "My dad passed away from brain cancer, my very close and dear friend passed away from pancreatic cancer, and I have another good friend of mine that is on her third round of fighting breast cancer. It has impacted me, and I know it impacts everyone.”

Tupps has made a point of recognizing cancer's impact since its inception, a daily reminder of which can be found by way of a memorial installed on the brewery's grounds.

“One of the first projects we completed at Tupps was building a tree of old rusted pipes," explains Lewis. "We had people come in and paint a bottle with a story or picture to honor someone they know that has or had cancer. The tree is completely full of bottles and is displayed in our Beer Garden outside of the brewery.”

As for the beer, Rising Hope is an American-style ale brewed with fresh, organic pink guava puree. Packaged in 12-ounce cans, each six-pack features a different can design to represent all the people affected by cancer - whether that be a friend, a mom, a daughter, a grandma, a husband or a sister.

“What’s wonderful about this campaign is that it’s about bringing people together and about honoring people that we love,” says Kevin Hail, president and COO of NBCF. “Rising Hope is about giving us hope that we can get through any dark time together.”

Look for Rising Hope beginning in early October at bars, restaurants and retail locations in North Texas, Austin, Oklahoma and San Antonio. Six-packs will be available in retail stores like Kroger, Market Street, Central Market, Total Wine, Specs, and more.

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Learn more about Tupps' partnership with NBCF through videos on the brewery's YouTube page.

Tupps to tap Cotton Candy Shandy at State Fair of Texas

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery of McKinney is getting in on the fun of the 2019 State Fair of Texas with the release of a beer it describes as a "new, delicious attraction [that's] here to please the masses."

Set to be tapped at the State Fair on Friday, September 27, Cotton Candy Shandy is a beer that certainly fits with the event given it's brewed with a classic carnival confection. Not only that, it's a unique offering representative of the theme of this year's State Fair: "Celebrating Texas Creativity."

“It’s fun to brew a special beer specifically for the State Fair," says Chris Lewis, head brewer at Tupps. "We wanted to create a light, refreshing and slightly sweet beer that will appeal to lots of people. I added cotton candy into the brew to get a sweet touch at the end of each taste. The beer is not overly sweet, but it will pair nicely with all the fried foods you plan on eating."

Look for Cotton Candy Shandy at the following locations inside the State Fair: Bluebonnet Roadhouse, Chili Parlor in the Tower Building, State Fair Wine Garden, Automobile Building, Taco Hut at Grand Place, Texas Burgers in Cotton Bowl Plaza, and Yardbirds near Gate 9.

The beer will also be available in the brewery's taproom.

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Consumers are invited to share pictures of themselves enjoying Cotton Candy Shandy. Remember to tag @TUPPSBrewery with the hashtag #cottoncandyshandy.

Franconia brings new mix to 2019 Original State Fair Brew

Image credits: Franconia Brewing Co., Fiesta Enterprises.

Continuing a series started in 2014, Original State Fair Brew (OSFB) has once again partnered with a North Texas brewery to create a new and exciting version of their annual State Fair-themed beer.

For this year's edition, the OSFB folks enlisted the help of Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney, a choice that may surprise some given the brewery's usual strict adherence to tradition. The State Fair of Texas, of course, is famous for defying convention with its food and beverage offerings, often showcasing taste combinations that challenge even the most ardent explorers of new and unusual flavors.

So how, then, did this collaboration come to pass?

According to Franconia founder Dennis Wehrmann, it was a matter of convincing Fiesta Enterprises, the creators of the OSFB concept, to go in a different direction. In the past, local breweries infused ingredients to create State Fair beers reminiscent of funnel cake, corn dogs and pumpkin pie. This year, though, consumer will have the chance to conceive their own unique State Fair brew.

"People like to mix things with beer, so I introduced Fiesta owners Rudy and Justin Martinez to the idea of a snow cone system," says Wehrmann. "You start with a base beer, and then let customers mix it with other flavors."

The origin of the concept is a German-style radler, a beverage consisting of a 50/50 mix of beer and either soda or fruit puree. At the State Fair, the drink will be known as Barnyard Radler, with Franconia Wheat (a classic hefeweizen) forming the foundation of the system.

Consumers will be able to instill up to four different flavors in the beer, but suggested varieties you'll be able to order by name include Cattleman Cola (with Coca-Cola), Watermelon Wrangler, Strawberry Fields, and Pig-in-the-Mud Pumpkin.

"We tried a lot of flavors and these were the best combinations," explains Wehrmann. "Plus, our wheat beer works because it supports a lot of fruitiness to begin with."

Naturally, such mixes lie outside the realm of the Reinheitsgebot (a.k.a. the German Beer Purity Law), a guiding principle for Franconia since day one. But what makes this collaboration a fit, while also maintaining the spirit of the State Fair, is the fact that the brewery's role lies strictly with the base beer.

"We thought, why not leave the creativity to the customer," says Wehrmann. "They can use their imagination and choose the flavors they want to make the 'beer.' We just provide a starting point, which allows us to stay true to our roots."

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The 2019 State Fair of Texas opens on September 27 at Fair Park and runs through October 20. In addition to Barnyard Radler, beer flights featuring Franconia Kölsch, Lager and Oktoberfest will be offered during the event at Trio on the Green and the Lone Star Roadhouse.

Two Franconia favorites returning to bottles

Image credits: Franconia Brewing Co.

The recent passage of legislation allowing breweries with a manufacturing license to sell beer to-go has inspired Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney to re-release two of its popular beers in bottles.

First among them, Franconia Wheat (4.8% ABV) returns to packaged form after being relegated to draft-only status for the past four years. A true German-style hefeweizen, Franconia Wheat is one of the brewery's original beers, and one that will be available in bottles as a brewery exclusive from this point forward.

Initial packages of Franconia Wheat go on sale Sunday, September 1 (a.k.a. Beer-To-Go Day in Texas), during the brewery's Oktoberfest Kick-Off Party. Six-packs of both Franconia Wheat and Franconia Oktoberfest will be offered for just $5.99, a special price valid for one day only.

As for what else is on the horizon, Franconia Ice Bock (17% ABV) is also set to reappear in bottles. This too will be a brewery exclusive, with a limited run of individual 12-ounce bottles expected to be offered for sale in the coming weeks.

Harvest launching growler program and new seasonal beer, September 20

Brewers Toby Thomason and Bob Lang inspect hop vines
at Water Boy Farms (Harvest Seasonal Kitchen).

Harvest Seasonal Kitchen is embracing fall with the introduction of a new seasonal beer next week, an event that will coincide with the debut of a beer-to-go option at the restaurant in Historic Downtown McKinney.

Brewing operations got underway at Harvest in early 2017. Since then, brewers Toby Thomason and Bob Lang have released a couple of limited small-batch offerings in addition to a regular brew called Farmer's Daughter (a honey blonde ale). That beer, like the new one to come, features Texas-grown ingredients, some of which are produced on the company's farm, Water Boy Farms.

"In the kitchen at Harvest, we are dedicated to using as many local ingredients as possible, so our beer is no different using Texas grains, hops and honey from our farm," says Thomason.

Regarding the newest addition to Harvest's portfolio, Red River Rye is a red ale brewed with Texas grains and rye. The beer is dry-hopped, then naturally-conditioned with local wildflower honey to produce the finished product.

As for availability, Red River Rye and Farmer's Daughter will be on tap and ready to take home in signature 64-ounce growlers beginning Thursday, September 20. That evening, a launch party will take place at the brewpub from 5-8 p.m., during which attendees can try the brews and meet the team behind the beer.

Beer by way of Beetle and Bus: German autos adorn Franconia's 10th anniversary packaging

Case boxes in the form of a classic Volkswagen Pickup will include six packs of all

four of Franconia's anniversary brews (all images courtesy of Franconia Brewing Co.).

Following an announcement earlier this month revealing plans for its yearlong 10th anniversary celebration, Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney has released images of package designs the company has created for its line of anniversary brews.

Individual six packs of four distinct styles will be shipped on a quarterly basis, according to the schedule outlined below. That doesn't mean you'll have to wait to try all four beers, however, since the full range will be brewed all year long and sold in special mixed cases (see the lead image above) at select locations around North Texas.

Regarding the package designs, Franconia founder Dennis Wehrmann decided to go with imagery inspired by a classic German automobile brand as a way to balance the fact that recipes for three of the four anniversary beers have origins outside of his homeland.

"We chose to do something out of the ordinary with our 10th anniversary beers, only one of which is based on a traditional German style," says Wehrmann. "We're a German brewery, though, so we thought we needed to add a German element to all the beers to recognize our heritage. And, what better way to do that than to design the packaging around a German icon like Volkswagen."

Images of label and six-pack carrier designs are provided below, as are tasting notes taken from pre-release samples. As for availability, look for anniversary mixed cases and six-packs of Hazy Dhaze to begin arriving at retailers towards the end of March.

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Spring

Hazy Dhaze (New England IPA, 6.8% ABV): Franconia's foray into the realm of New England IPAs is brewed with wheat and oats to promote the style's characteristic cloudiness, while a mix of Denali, Calypso and Lemondrop hops is used to create the beer's "juicy" element.

Six-pack carrier design: Volkswagen Bus.

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Summer

Fun in the Sun (Belgian Blonde, 8.1% ABV): Easy drinking and sneaky strong, a traditional Abbey ale yeast infuses Fun in the Sun with a complex mix of funk, fruit and spice.

Six-pack carrier design: Volkswagen Thing.

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Fall

Full Steam Ahead (California Common, 5.1% ABV): Franconia's entry into the steam beer category hits the nail on the head in terms of style, with its grainy malt backbone and pronounced hop presence.

Six-pack carrier design: Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.

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Winter

Chicken Dance (Bordeaux-Aged Wheat Bock, 8.2% ABV): The brewery's original winter seasonal, Winter Wheat, is aged on Bordeaux to give the beer a woody, vinous character, with hints of dark fruit and toasted malt rounding out the flavor profile.

Six-pack carrier design: Volkswagen Beetle.

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Special beers and a taproom to come for Franconia's 10th Anniversary

Image courtesy of Franconia Brewing Co.

On Monday February 26, 2018, Franconia Brewing Co. became only the second North Texas-based production brewery since Prohibition to be in business for 10 years. To celebrate this milestone, the brewery has plans for not only for a series of anniversary beers, but also for a rather significant addition to its facility in McKinney.

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The back-story (from a press release):

"Since opening its doors in February 2008, Franconia Brewing Co. has been dedicated to providing world class German-style beer to drinkers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area using only the best ingredients. Franconia is more than just a local brewery, it is the essence of true Bavarian brewing. By combining local accessibility to North Texas with our German heritage, Franconia is able to provide the fine people of North Texas with a taste of some of the most genuine and freshest Bavarian beer available. Ten years later, Franconia is still one of the few breweries known for its quality and consistency.

Founder Dennis Wehrmann and others at Franconia champion the 'Green movement,' adopting many practices to help improve the environmental concerns in North Texas, such as recycling their mash into local cattle feed, operating in a state-of-the-art energy efficient building, and using solar panels for their power needs - thus making themselves stand apart from most other breweries.

It is that 'better beer,' along with a commitment to sustainability and community involvement, that has helped keep Franconia growing steadily in the increasingly competitive marketplace of the Texas craft beer industry over the last 10 years.

'The overwhelming support the community has continuously shown has been crucial to the brewery's success,' claims Wehrmann, who also attributes his success to the steady flow of attendees to the brewery tours he has held every Saturday since Franconia's inception."

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As for how the brewery intends to commemorate its run, a year-long "10 Year Anniversary Celebration" will highlight the close relationship between brewery and community in several ways. First and perhaps foremost, the City of McKinney has approved the building of a "Bier Garden/Tap Room" on the premises right next to the current brewery. Expected to be completed this year, the existence of the taproom means Franconia will be open for business beyond its regular Saturday tours.

On top of that, consumers can look forward to the following four anniversary brews:

Hazy Dhaze - New England IPA.
Fun in the Sun - Belgian Blonde.
Full Steam Ahead - Steam Beer/California Common.
Chicken Dance - Bordeaux Aged Wheat Bock.

These beers will be released individually on a quarterly basis throughout the year, and also as part of a special anniversary case package (containing all four anniversary brews), to be made available at select locations throughout the year.

More information on the anniversary beers (artwork, tasting notes) and plans for the taproom will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Stay in the know by following Franconia on Facebook.

Spelt gets spent for Franconia's new spring seasonal

Honey Spelt is a collaborative effort between Franconia, Harvest Seasonal Kitchen
and The Seed Project Foundation (Franconia Brewing Co.)

A new year means new beer for many of today's breweries, and the story is no different for Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney. Of course, the introduction of new products isn't the only thing that's new at Franconia these days, as the company enters 2018 with a new head brewer. Derrick Rima took over the reins of the brewhouse in June, after having spent time in similar roles at Four Corners Brewing Co., Texas Ale Project and Witherspoon Distillery.

One of Rima's projects for the coming year will be the introduction of a new spring seasonal beer called Honey Spelt (7.8% ABV), though it's a brew that's not completely unfamiliar. Honey Spelt first debuted late last summer on a limited basis, it being the result of a collaboration between Franconia and its McKinney neighbor, Harvest Seasonal Kitchen.

Like the original batch, the version of Honey Spelt to be brewed for wide release will be made with German spelt malt, along with a mix of locally-sourced ingredients. Some of the grain used will come from Fort Worth-based TexMalt, with the honey provided by Bare Naked Bee Co. of Allen.

Also continuing is the brewery's relationship with The Seed Project Foundation. This organization works to fund initiatives supporting sustainability, which is a mission that goes hand-in-hand with the ideals of Franconia founder Dennis Wehrmann.

"In the past, we've kept our charitable activities mostly quiet," says Wehrmann. "This time, though, we decided to give it more exposure because The Seed Project is focused on sustainability, and that's something that has been an important part of how we've done things at Franconia since we started."

To that end, a portion of the proceeds from sales of Honey Spelt will go to help the Foundation's efforts. Consumers can do their part by seeking out the beer, which will be available on tap and in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles beginning in February.

In addition, be on the lookout for details related to Franconia's upcoming 10th Anniversary. Naturally, a line of anniversary beers is in the offing, but that's not all...as Wehrmann has promised there's an even bigger surprise to come.

Tupps signs distribution deal with Ben E. Keith

Image credit: Tupps Brewery.

Tupps Brewery of McKinney has entered into an agreement with Ben E. Keith Beverages for the distribution of its products in and around North Texas.

"To be successful in the beer business you have to, first and foremost, make great beer," says Chase Lewis, vice president of sales at Tupps. "Second, you have to present yourself well to the market. Last, but very far from least, you have to manage the distribution of your product very well. It's an incredibly difficult and important part of this industry, and Ben E. Keith has been distributing beer in North Texas with excellence for decades. We couldn't be happier to be partnering with such a strong and supportive company."

The brewery had self-distributed its beers since opening in May 2015, but growth on the order of 400% in total volume over the first year signaled a need to explore other options. Lewis believes the partnership will help propel Tupps to the next level in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as it will allow the company focus on beer, branding and building stronger relationships in the market. 

"Tupps has done an extraordinary job brewing a portfolio of great beers, while establishing their brands and brewery in Texas, and we are excited and honored to be chosen as their distributor," says Steve Olkewicz, business development manager at Ben E. Keith. "The Tupps approach to business, marketing, innovation and high quality beer provides us with a great foundation for a successful partnership. We look forward to the opportunity to have the Tupps brands in our portfolio, and are eager to continue the expansion of their brands in our markets."

According to a press release, Ben E. Keith will begin delivering Tupps products to accounts on December 1. Counties covered by the agreement include Archer, Baylor, Bell, Bosque, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Jack, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, McLennan, Milam, Montague, Morris, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Titus, Van Zandt, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, Wood and Young.