Steam Theory to close in Dallas, June 19

Image credit: Steam Theory Brewing Co.

Four years after debuting in Trinity Groves, a multi-use entertainment destination in Dallas, Steam Theory Brewing Co. will shutter at the close of business on Sunday, June 19.

Founded by Jonathan Barrows and Chuck Homola, Steam Theory opened with backing from the former host of ABC's The Bachelor, Chris Harrison. Initially, the concept paired beers with culinary selections curated by Chef Michael Weinstein, but over time Steam Theory shifted its focus to pub fare featuring Neapolitan pizza.

Steam Theory's name was derived from the idea of taking an old-school approach and applying it to the modern day. This fusion of elements was symbolized by the decor of the space, which took on a steampunk vibe.

According to a social media post, the business was unable to overcome financial difficulties encountered due to the "global pandemic, the great resignation of 2021, a recession and inflation."

Despite the closure of the physical location, a report says the Steam Theory brand will carry on by way of a "virtual brewery" model, with beers produced and distributed by a North Carolina-based company.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - October 26, 2020 edition

Image credits: Franconia Brewing Co., Symbol Brewing Co., Steam Theory Brewing Co., Smittox Brewing Co.

The Conspectus, otherwise known as the 'in case you missed it update,' has been missing in action for months, but I suppose that's just another thing we can pin on the pandemic. In any case, activities are picking back up at area breweries, so here are a few recent items that may be of interest.

-Cheers!

Franconia releasing first ever cans

There have been some changes at Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney, where new ownership is in place and new packaged products are on the way. The brewery is canning beers for the first time in its history, with a pilsner called Run for the Pils and two varieties of Walker Texas Radler (pineapple and peach) now available. An official launch party for the three beers will be held at Franconia on Saturday, November 7.

Symbol shares plans for second round

Carrollton-based 3 Nations Brewing Co. recently announced the creation of a side project to be known as Symbol Brewing Co., the news coming with the release of the brand's first three beers. A second round of offerings is already in the works, with the following beers expected to arrive in December: Symbol Hazy Double IPA (8.5% ABV, 35 IBU), Pastry Gose with Passion Fruit, Orange and Guava (4.7% ABV, 5 IBU), Pecan Porter with Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate and Coffee (7.0% ABV, 32 IBU).

Steam Theory kicks off unique collaboration

Steam Theory Brewing Co. of Dallas has unveiled a barrel-aging project it began working on over the summer. The brewpub got together with 18 Texas distilleries to create a series of barrel-aged brews that will be presented in flights along with the base beer and a sample of the original spirit. One beer, a Balcones Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged IPA, has debuted thus far, with others to be shared in the coming months.

Smittox Brewing Co. launches crowdfunding campaign

Seeking to establish the first black-owned brewery in the area, Smittox Brewing Co. has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Readers may recall founder Kuumba Smith has collaborated on beers with Martin House Brewing Co. (Short Order Porter) and Vector Brewing (Black is Beautiful) in the past. Smith hopes to locate his brewery off U.S. Highway 75 (Central Expressway) in either Allen or Plano. Click here to view the campaign.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - July 23, 2018 edition

Updates on new and renewed brewing operations in Dallas and Denton headline this edition of the Conspectus, with a look at upcoming operations out west on the agenda as well.

Cheers!


Barley & Board back to brewing in Denton

Idle since early 2016, brewing operations have re-started at Barley & Board of Denton. House beers will be tapped monthly as part of the brewpub's Home Brewers League, an initiative that gives local homebrewers the chance to brew a commercial batch. Barley & Board supplies ingredients for the collaborative effort, while local hobbyists are charged with making the beer. The beer for August is a French saison by Brian Tiensvold. It follows Cole Haley's black IPA, which kicked things off in July.


Steam Theory debuts in Trinity Groves

After roughly four years in development, Steam Theory Brewing Co. is now up and running in Trinity Groves. The brewpub is currently serving culinary offerings from a summer dinner menu alongside a selection of guest beers. House brews are said to be in the works, presumably ready in time for Steam Theory's official grand opening on August 25.


Cans coming from Manhattan Project

Packaged products are on the way from Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas. Set to arrive at retail in September, the brewery will can its three core beers - Half-Life, Hoppenheimer and Plutonium-239, and a seasonal pilsner - Necessary Evil. As for when Manhattan Project's taproom will open at 215 Sulphur St., look for that to occur sometime in Q1 2019.


Celestial receives TABC approval, introduces Space Camp

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has issued a brewpub license for Celestial Beerworks of Dallas. Currently under construction at 2530 Butler St., owner Matt Reynolds is targeting an early fall opening. The company has also introduced Space Camp, a membership program that provides consumers with one free crowler of beer per month, along with swag, taproom discounts and first access to special releases (click here for more information).


Edgewise Wight launches crowdfunding campaign

Looking to raise funds for a brewpub to be located in Weatherford, Edgewise Eight Brewing has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The company has set an open-ended goal of $5000, with funds earmarked for amenities and other items that will help make Edgewise Eight "the most inviting place to go in Weatherford."


Soul Fire begins work on building in Roanoke

Demolition has begun on a space to be occupied by Soul Fire Brewing Co. in Roanoke. In addition to housing the brewery's production equipment and a taproom, plans for the building at 206 N. Oak St. include facilities for live music and a food hall.

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Image credits (top to bottom): Barley & Board, Steam Theory Brewing Co., Manhattan Project Beer Co., Celestial Beerworks, Edgewise Eight Brewing, Soul Fire Brewing Co.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - March 9, 2018 edition

The Conspectus returns after a month-long hiatus with news on two recently-opened entities, three breweries in development, and an update on what's new in cans.

Cheers!


New Main now pouring guest taps in Pantego

New Main Brewing Co. officially debuted in Pantego with a grand opening event on February 24. Currently operating as a taproom, the company hopes to purchase equipment and initiate brewing operations later this year. In the meantime, visitors to New Main can expect to find a selection of 20 predominantly Texas-based craft beverages on tap during regular business hours occurring six days a week (Tue-Sun).


Brewing operations underway at Parker County

Announced in a Facebook post, Parker County Brewing Co. of Willow Park completed its first commercial brew day on March 3. Presumably fermenting away, the inaugural offering is said to be an American-style stout brewed with four types of malt and a mix of Cascade and Centennial hops.


Turning Point brewing in Bedford

Production is underway at Turning Point Beer in Bedford, as the company looks to build up stock ahead of its grand opening on March 17. Over a dozen house beers are expected to be available to those attending the event, and judging by posts appearing on Turning Point's Facebook page, a handful of hazy IPAs are sure to be a part of the proceedings.


Steam Theory receives TABC license

Steam Theory Brewing Co. of Dallas is now officially licensed, after its permit was approved and issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on February 28. Construction on the company's site in Trinity Groves is ongoing, but an official opening is still a few months away.


Happy Hippie launches crowdfunding campaign

Looking to establish a brewery on the north side of town, Happy Hippie Brewing Co. has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Founder Michael Frederick has set an open-ended goal of $75,000, an amount he hopes to use for construction costs and the purchase of equipment. Currently, Happy Hippie is still looking for a home, but at last report Frederick was targeting a spot in the City of Richardson.


Candemonium

A fresh round-up of year-round (Pegasus offerings) and seasonal beers (all the others) being sold in cans for the first time...

• Legal Draft Bock Trial (7.0% ABV):  Doppelbock, available in 12-ounce six-packs.
• 903 Friday Slide (10.47% ABV): Irish car bomb milk stout, available in 12-ounce six-packs.
• Panther Island Sweet Fang (5.0% ABV): Chocolate peanut butter milk stout, available in 12-ounce six-packs.
• Rabbit Hole Jabberbock (6.56% ABV): Maibock, available in 12-ounce six-packs
• Martin House The Morrigan (12.28% ABV): Barrel-aged blonde barleywine, available in 12-ounce two-packs.
• Tupps Full Grown Scallywag (12.1% ABV): Coconut vanilla imperial stout, available in 12-ounce four-packs.
• Pegasus City Cannoneer (7.43% ABV): Bold amber, available in 12-ounce six-packs.
• Pegasus City Sixth Floor (5.4% ABV): Easy porter, available in 12-ounce six-packs.

(click to enlarge)

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Image credits (top to bottom): Brian Brown/Beer in Big D, Parker County Brewing Co., Turning Point Beer, Steam Theory Brewing Co., Happy Hippie Brewing Co., Legal Draft Beer Co., Panther Island Brewing Co., 903 Brewers, Rabbit Hole Brewing, Martin House Brewing Co., Tupps Brewery, Pegasus City Brewery.

North Texas Craft Beer Conspectus - December 6, 2017 edition

In the past, the arrival of the holiday season has meant a slowdown on the craft beer newsfront, but that's apparently not the case this year. As seen below, a lot has happened in the three weeks since the last Conspectus, with a big distribution announcement heading up a new list of items that includes the usual roundup of recently released beers, along with updates on the status on four North Texas breweries in development.

Cheers!


Collective joins up with Shelton Brothers

Shelton Brothers, Inc., a Massachusetts-based import/export firm, has added The Collective Brewing Project to its portfolio. According to a blog post on Collective's website, the Fort Worth brewery will work with Shelton Brothers to deliver its beer to festivals and events it plans to attend in the coming year.


Snap up the latest release from Wild Acre

Now in stores, Snap'd is the latest beer to emerge from Wild Acre Brewing Co. of Fort Worth. Billed as a gingerbread strong ale, the seasonal offering packs a fair amount of punch, with an ABV of nearly 8%. Look for it in six-packs of 12-ounce cans.


Nick the newest Full Grown variety on tap at Tupps

Tupps Brewery of McKinney has unveiled its newest Full Grown Man variety in the form of Full Grown Nick (12.1% ABV). Brewed with holiday spices, Full Grown Nick is the third seasonal treatment of Full Grown Man Imperial Stout, following brethren brews Full Grown Hombre and Full Grown Jack. Find it in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.


Deep Ellum flies its Freak Flag

Freak Flag (7.8% ABV, 14 IBU), the initial offering in Deep Ellum Brewing Co.'s Barrelhouse line, has been released in 500mL bottles. The beer is a sour red ale that's spent 18 months in red wine barrels, and it's the first fully barrel-fermented brew to produced by the company. Freak Flag's release also kicks off the brewery's Solera program, an initiative that involves the fractional blending of different vintages over time to create a beer that gets older every time you drink it.

Also from Deep Ellum, a new IPA variety pack is available at retail, containing Deep Ellum IPA, Dreamcrusher, Easy Peasy IPA and the brewery's new White IPA.


Future brewery blurbs

The TABC has approved the licenses for New Main Brewing Co. of Pantego and Parker County Brewing Co. of Willow Park. Both entities are currently under construction with early 2018 target dates.

After many years in development, there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Steam Theory Brewing Co. of Dallas. Construction on the future brewpub's site in Trinity Groves began in November, with the latest update projecting an opening to occur as early as April of next year.

The Corsicana City Council has cleared the way for work to begin on Navarro County Brewing Co., after a variance was approved for a proposed site on December 1. Set to be the city's first brewery, Navarro County Brewing will be located at 321 W. 6th Ave. in Corsicana.

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Image credits (top to bottom): Collective Brewing Project, Wild Acre Brewing Co., Tupps Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Parker County Brewing Co., New Main Brewing Co., Steam Theory Brewing Co., Navarro County Brewing Co.