A look at 2023 North Texas production numbers

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This is an update of the annual breakdown of brewery sizes in North Texas, with 2023 production data added as reported to the Brewers Association and published in the May/June 2024 issue of The New Brewer.

Note, not all brewing companies provide their numbers (assumptions are made for a couple of "Large" tier breweries based on past history), while some report statistics combining multiple locations. Data also includes production from breweries that closed during the course of 2023. As a result, the number of entities represented in the chart is not equal to the total number of breweries open and operating at any given time.

Inside the numbers:

The large-size brewery tier in North Texas, based on production (shown alphabetically):

• Community Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas.
• Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
• Revolver Brewing of Granbury.

Tier movement

• Advancing from "Mid-Size" to "Large" tier: Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas.
• Advancing from "Very Small" to "Small" tier: Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth, Second Rodeo Brewing Co. of Fort Worth (includes data from Beard Science Sour House of The Colony), and Union Bear Brewing Co. of Denton/Plano.

Year-to-year production change

• Overall production in North Texas was down roughly 9% for those reporting in 2022 and 2023. This value is influenced somewhat by numerous "Small" tier breweries showing significant drops, though in some cases this involves cuts occurring prior to closing a second location or closing permanently.
• Comparison: Craft beer volume was down 1% nationally in 2023, according to the Brewers Association.

Significant year-to-year production gains (based on those reporting in 2022 and 2023)

• For the second year in a row, Manhattan Project had the largest reported year-to-year gain in raw barrels produced locally for 2023. In fact, sales of the brewery's beers have more than tripled since 2019.
• The largest year-to-year percentage gains for brewing companies with production greater than 1000 barrels were realized by 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Anna/Carrolton, Celestial Beerworks of Dallas (two locations), Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth, and Second Rodeo/Beard Science of Fort Worth/The Colony.

Beard Science set to release first pHunky beer in bottles

Beard Science's new beer is brewed to the proper pH for a
Flanders red (photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

The first fruits of a project begun within a few months of when Beard Science Sour House originally opened at Truck Yard The Colony are now ready to be enjoyed, as the brewery is set to release its first bottles filled with a beer that began resting in a foeder onsite during February 2021.

Introducing pHunky pHlemish (5.8% ABV), a wine-like Belgian-style beer brewed with the characteristics of a traditional Flanders red in mind. In other words, it's not an over-the-top modern take on the style, but rather a sour and fruity beer (red plums, black cherries, red currants) with appropriate subtlety and nuance.

"To me, it drinks like a pinot noir, with that kind of wine character," says Brew Boss Dennis Wehrmann. "And, it's not JUST a sour beer where it punches you in the face with acidity. It's just right, and I even think people who don't like sour beers would enjoy it."

Packaged in a 600-count limited run of 750mL flip-top bottles, pHunky pHlemish will debut at Beard Science on or before Friday, December 8, with a price point of $18 per bottle. Plus, a small amount of the beer will be placed on draft, allowing patrons to try before they buy.

Of course, this is just the beginning with regards to bottles at Beard Science - these extended aging efforts take time, after all. Next on the list, a dark sour beer aged in bourbon barrels from Ironroot Republic Distillery of Denison will make its way into bottles over the next few months.

And speaking of barrels, there's more to come on that topic as well. Six weeks ago, Wehrmann and the Truck Yard team travelled to Kentucky to take part in a special barrel select program.

"We chose three barrels from Weller, Stagg and Eagle Rare," says Wehrmann. "The bourbon inside will be available in our facilities, but I'm getting all three barrels to age beer in."

Plans are still being finalized, but the expectation is one or more barrels will house a sour beer at Beard Science, with another to be located at the company's sister site, Second Rodeo Brewing, in Fort Worth.

Indeed, these are busy times at both Beard Science and Second Rodeo - where, incidentally, a recent expansion added two new tanks to what is now a "maxed out" production area. Wehrmann himself says they have "lots going on," and while there may actually be more to talk about down the line, we'll save those stories for another day.

Second Rodeo ready to ride in Fort Worth

All images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

For the first time since 1997, beer is again being brewed in the Fort Worth Stockyards, as Second Rodeo Brewing has begun production ahead of a mid-September opening on Mule Alley.

Second Rodeo is the latest concept from Brain Storm Shelter, whose portfolio includes Truck Yard venues in Houston and Dallas, along with both a Truck Yard and Beard Science Sour House in The Colony (a fourth Truck Yard is currently under construction in North Fort Worth). And, while Second Rodeo sports a different name, elements of Truck Yard's design are an integral part of the experience.

Given the above, Second Rodeo clearly isn't Brain Storm Shelter's first project, a fact that plays into the naming of the place based on the saying, "This ain't my first rodeo." The taproom motif, though, takes the rodeo aspect a step further in drawing inspiration from local cowboy culture and the history of the Texas Prison Rodeo in Huntsville.

Beneath an expansive covered patio featuring a retractable roof, Second Rodeo's
outdoor design and decor matches that of Brain Storm Shelter's Truck Yard locations.

Along those lines, indoor areas at Second Rodeo have thematic touches like iron bars lining the stairways and balconies, tap handles with handcuffs, and a mock jail cell off in one corner (guests are asked to kindly refrain from using the cell's mock latrine!). Plus, if you've ever toured Alcatraz, you'll notice how the walls, painted signs, and light fixtures have a familiar jailhouse feel as well.

Outside, Second Rodeo is essentially an incarnation of Truck Yard, with Adirondack chairs, park benches, and an open-air stage set up underneath a retractable roof. The main difference being the absence of any actual trucks, as food (cheesesteaks, funkified chicken wings) will be served by way of self-service kiosks.

Regarding the beer, Brew Boss Dennis Wehrmann oversees brewing operations at Second Rodeo, just as he does at Beard Science. Production is taking place on a 15-barrel system, and while sour beers are the focus at Beard Science, a variety of styles will be brewed at Second Rodeo for consumption onsite or at other company locales.

Tap handles with handcuffs, a mock jail cell, and iron bars throughout are just
some of the elements brought together to create Second Rodeo's indoor jailhouse theme.

"We will have a total of 10 house beers on tap, and out of those, six will always be the same," says Wehrmann. "We will also brew for all the other Truck Yards in the Metroplex after we open."

In addition, visitors to the Stockyards will be allowed to purchase beer at Second Rodeo to enjoy anywhere on the grounds.

"We bought a little mobile-canning line to do some cans," says Wehrmann, "because the Stockyards is licensed for open containers, so you can take a beer and walk around."

Second Rodeo's equipment array includes a 15-barrel
brewhouse, stacked fermenters, and horizontal lagering tanks.

Patrons will be able to choose from a house beer lineup set to include a blonde ale, Mexican lager, amber ale, hefeweizen, dunkelweizen, and an IPA. Other options will consist of seasonal rotators, such as an Oktoberfest, and Beard Science offerings like the Sour House's cucumber lemon sour and hibiscus hard seltzer.

Beyond that, Second Rodeo will carry a stock of guest beers, spirits, and wine as part of its everyday drink menu.

As for when you can saddle up to Second Rodeo yourself, the spot is scheduled to open on Thursday, September 16. From there, the brewery/foodarama/live music venue will offer service daily beginning at 11 a.m.

Second Rodeo concept coming from builder of By the Horns, Beard Science

Second Rodeo Brewing will exist along the western edge of Mule Alley in the
Fort Worth Stockyards (Stockyards Heritage Development Co., click image to enlarge).

Details are starting to emerge related to a third brewing operation being developed by Jason Boso, the man behind Twisted Root Burger Co. and Truck Yard.

Second Rodeo Brewing is currently under construction along Mule Alley in the Fort Worth Stockyards. According to a Proposed Tenant Plan posted by Stockyards Heritage Development Co. (dated July 16, 2019), Second Rodeo will occupy a 14,740 square foot space that backs up to Marine Creek. The project is described as a brewpub/music hall, with features to include seating under a retractable roof.

Current projections suggest a grand opening of the Mule Alley venue will occur in early 2020. As for Boso's other brewpub concepts, By the Horns Brewing Co. opened this past January in Mansfield, while Beard Science (expected to be a wild and sour beer house) is still being built at Truck Yard The Colony.