Rollertown partners with Ben E. Keith for North Texas distribution

Image courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks.

Rollertown Beerworks of Celina has entered into a distribution agreement with Ben E. Keith Beverages, with the Fort Worth-based company set to deliver Rollertown products to both on and off-premise accounts across 37 North Texas counties beginning July 1, 2024.

"This partnership will significantly increase our availability across North Texas while infinitely improving our level of service," says Jonathan Rogers, CEO of Rollertown. "Not only is Ben E. Keith consistently recognized as being best-in-class, they have a strong track record of building brands. We are thrilled to partner with them to get our fresh, local beer out to more North Texans."

Working with Ben E. Keith will enable Rollertown to tap into a vast distribution network, significantly enhancing their ability to address the growing demand for their beers across the entire North Texas region. The 37 county territory includes all of D-FW and stretches from Bowie County at the Arkansas border to the east along the Red River to Wilbarger County on the Oklahoma border to the west and down to Johnson and Ellis counties in the south.

"We are excited to partner with Rollertown Beerworks to expand their brands in the greater North Texas area," says Steve Olkewicz, business development manager at Ben E. Keith. "As a distributor, we recognize the outstanding job Rollertown has done in creating and developing exceptional beers. We look forward to supporting their continued growth and success for many years to come."

Rollertown recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters in Downtown Frisco. The venue will serve as a family-friendly entertainment destination, while doubling as the company's production facility. Located on Main St. near Toyota Stadium, the site is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.

Austin-based beers from Meanwhile making their way to the Metroplex

Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Recently, a new box of beer mail appeared at my door, this time courtesy of Meanwhile Brewing Co. of Austin. The premise was an introduction to the brand, with the catalyst being a collaboration beer the company made with Celestial Beerworks of Dallas.

If you were not already aware, Meanwhile's products have shown up here in the past, but fresh shipments are now making their way to the Metroplex. Cans began appearing on shelves of select retailers in mid-November, with draft selections following close behind.

Three of the beers contained in my sample pack have been among those delivered to area locales. Each represents a year-round offering from Meanwhile, with two having been awarded medals at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).

• Secret Beach - San Diego Style IPA (6.2% ABV): My favorite beer of the bunch, this West Coast-inspired IPA is kind of a throwback in being dank and slightly bitter with notes of tropical fruit and orange marmalade. Secret Beach brought home a silver medal in the American-Style Strong Pale Ale category at the 2022 GABF.
• Tender Robot - Hazy IPA (6.2% ABV): A recipe featuring four types of malt and four hop varieties produces a pleasing hazy IPA with a mix of citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a mild finishing bitterness.
• Meanwhile Pilsner - German-Style Pilsner (4.8% ABV): Light, easy to drink and refreshing while displaying a range of subtle complexities including elements of grain, bread dough and lemon zest set against a floral and grassy background. Meanwhile Pilsner won a gold medal for German-Style Pilsener at the 2021 GABF.

Now, just to be complete, beer number four was the aforementioned collaboration and an Austin exclusive. For that one, a partnership was formed to create Celestial Flirtation (10.5% ABV), a huge triple hazy IPA which debuted at Meanwhile's recent third anniversary celebration.

As for the distribution plan, reps at Meanwhile say new beers will drop locally roughly once a month. Locations receiving stock up to now are listed below, but consumers can also click here to view the most up-to-date listings by way of the Beer Locator on the brewery's website.

• Addison: Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar.
• Dallas: Craft Beer Cellar, Flying Saucer Cypress Waters, Goodfriend, Katy Trail Ice House, Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar, Meddlesome Moth, Strangeways.

Hop & Sting secures shelf space at Albertsons, Tom Thumb

Image credit: Hop & Sting Brewing Co.

Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine has announced a new deal which provides the company with valuable retail space for its products at North Texas locations of Albertsons and Tom Thumb.

According to Hop & Sting co-founder Brian Burton, the plan is to start out with placements in seven stores, then add more over time. The first to receive a shipment was the Tom Thumb store on 302 S. Park Blvd. in Grapevine, and another at 4000 William D. Tate Ave. is slated take delivery on Monday.

First placements of Hop & Sting products on shelves at Tom Thumb in Grapevine (Brian Burton).

From there, stores in Colleyville, Coppell, Plano, Dallas and Fort Worth are also in the queue, with orders currently pending from those locales.

As far as what beers will be available, Burton says stores will be able to pick and choose from a mix of year-round and select seasonal brews. From the regular lineup, options include Aluminum Cowboy Light Lager, Masterminds IPA, Miracle Wheat, Northeast Texas IPA and Weisser Time Hefeweizen, while seasonal selections will consist of Local 3113 Oktoberfest Lager, and Christmas Cookie Ale, when those recipes are available.

New brewer, new beers and new territories part of the plan at Pathfinder

Image: Pathfinder Brewery.

With a new brewer and plans to expand its offerings and service territory, Pathfinder Brewery is looking to blaze new trails as the firm approaches its second-year anniversary in Hudson Oaks.

On the first bit of news, Pathfinder founder Eric Addison has enlisted the brewing expertise of Austin Heisch, a long-time veteran of the North Texas scene. Heisch comes to Pathfinder after spending more than ten years at Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, where he began as a cellarman prior to working his way up to director of brewing operations.

"Austin brings a wealth of experience and technical brewing knowledge that we plan on capitalizing on," says Addison. "He is already working on improving our lab and quality control processes."

Heisch will take on the simple title of "brewer" at Pathfinder, which is a reflection of the humble approach Addison takes as the owner of a small, local brewery.

"We are so small, titles aren't a big deal," explains Addison. "Austin does the hard brewing work, while I do the easy stuff."

Staffing in general is currently a high priority for Addison, who hopes to add two sales representatives to the Pathfinder team. Once hired, one will work to expand on accounts currently serviced in Parker and Tarrant County, while another will focus on developing new relationships in Dallas.

Regarding the types of beer they'll be selling, Addison intends to continue taking inspiration from history while remaining loyal to classic styles. That said, there have been talks of expanding the company's current range.

"Several fruit brews are in the works, and we are just now discussing sours and hybrid beers," says Addison. "There are not limits; we brew what sounds like fun and what we think people want to experience, probably for the first time."

As for the aforementioned anniversary, Pathfinder will celebrate year two in late July with a variety of special releases, one of which is expected to be a barrel-aged Russian imperial stout.

Texas Ale Project expanding distribution network with Ambiente

Image credits: Ambiente Beverage, Texas Ale Project.

Texas Ale Project (TAP) of Dallas has announced a new partnership with Ambiente Beverage of Austin for the distribution of the brewery's craft beer and TAPWTR hard seltzer products in the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio markets – which includes the cities of San Marcos, Waco, Galveston, and College Station.

According to a press release, TAP is experiencing rapid growth, and the alliance with Ambiente is expected to supplement the brewery's marketing efforts throughout the state. 

“Ambiente is very pleased to continue to grow our craft beer portfolio with Texas Ale Project!" says Tristan Maldonado, president of Ambiente Opco, LLC. "We have been scouring Texas for great breweries and feel that Texas Ale Project is the perfect fit for Ambiente.” 

Earlier this month, TAP won a silver medal in the Texas Craft Brewers Cup for 100 Million Angels Singing (double IPA), and it will be among the brewery’s award-winning beers distributed to San Antonio, Austin, and Houston accounts starting spring 2022. New beers are also in the works, including a new limited edition Pantera collaboration, a new rotational series of IPAs, and a new flavor of TAPWTR hard seltzer. 

“We’re very busy around here – planning for new beers and new markets!" says Kat Thompson, founder & CEO of TAP. "I am excited to take this next big step in our growth with Ambiente. They are strategic in their approach to service and market coverage. The efficiency this partnership provides allows us to focus on making great beers and growing our brands.” 

To help make the brewery's strategic plan a reality, TAP will be hiring sales representatives to support the growth of the brand in these new markets. Regional bars, restaurants and retailers interested in carrying Texas Ale Project products can contact sales@texasaleproject.com or reach out to their local distributor.

Texas Ale Project signs pact with Andrews Distributing

Image credits: Andrews Distributing, Texas Ale Project.

Texas Ale Project of Dallas has announced a partnership with Andrews Distributing for the distribution of its products to areas within North Texas.

According to Kat Thompson, co-founder and CEO of Texas Ale Project, the new partnership will allow her team to focus on growth in new ways. 

“Texas Ale Project is both excited and humbled to be partnering with world-class distributor Andrews Distributing, to further grow and expand our business and distributor networks,” says Thompson. “Andrews has a strong team and reputation, and we are especially looking forward to leveraging their advanced sales and marketing capabilities to launch new items like our recently announced Pantera Golden Ale. One of our joint alignment goals for 2021 is to increase the accessibility of our beers and TAPWTR hard seltzers within the DFW metroplex and across Texas, and we are confident that Andrews is the right partner for executing those goals.”

David Holt, executive vice-president of marketing for Andrews, added that he looks forward to growing Texas Ale Project with the Andrews team. 

“We are committed to acquiring the right brands to build a portfolio that adds value for our customers,” says Holt. “To do so, we are committed to investing in local brewers that are connecting with Texas beer lovers. Texas Ale Project and their prior distributor partner FullClip have done a fantastic job building the brands with consumers. This opportunity allows Andrews to expand brand awareness for the Texas Ale Project portfolio.”

Beginning December 30, Andrews will sell Texas Ale Project’s brands to both on- and off-premise accounts in their DFW footprint, including Tarrant and Collin counties that were previously serviced by FullClip Craft Distributors. FullClip will continue to distribute Texas Ale Project beers in Denton County north of Highway 121 and Parker County. The teams also have plans to expand to Andrews’ South Texas footprint in the future.

Hop & Sting expanding product range and reach

Image courtesy of Hop & Sting Brewing Co.

Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine, an entity striving to be one of the most diverse craft breweries around, is now available all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The 9000-square-mile economic and cultural hub of North Texas is rich with community and generational diversity, and the brewery is a welcoming atmosphere to all who want to drink and learn about the refreshing complexity and science of craft beer. However, D-FW stretches for nearly 100 miles end-to-end, making it a trek for many.

Recognizing that fact, Hop & Sting has been building relationships in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Garland, Irving, McKinney, Frisco, Denton and Rockwall to ensure their beers reach the diverse audiences they celebrate.

For craft beer fans from baby boomers to Gen Z, Hop & Sting puts out beers of tradition and trend to quench the thirst of those craving new styles as they discover and engage in the diversity of craft beer. The production schedule and expertly-conducted canning days support the brewery’s ability to maintain a variety of brew styles locally-owned shops and growler bars need to keep customers coming back for more.

“We have enough core beers to keep tap lines stocked with a new brew monthly throughout the year.” states co-owner Brian Burton. “It comes down to being deliberate about brewing beers that are approachable by all and enjoyable to people from all walks of life.”

In addition, Hop & Sting's products support various charities providing assistance to those in need ranging from children to animals, public servants to education. It’s important to the brewery team to get their product out as far as possible to support the livelihood of businesses and nonprofits affected by their work.

One Hop & Sting beer produced to that end is Miracle Wheat. This American-style wheat beer benefits The Miracle League of Southlake, an organization which removes barriers keeping children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.

As for other current and future offerings, available now is the brewery's latest limited release, Weisser Time (5.4% ABV), a beer described as a "clove and banana-balanced hefeweizen." Then later this month, look for Hop & Sting to unveil its version of Black is Beautiful. Created in collaboration with Weathered Souls Brewing Co. of San Antonio, proceeds from the sale of Black is Beautiful will go to Beersgiving, a North Texas group advocating for diversity in the brewing industry.

Lakewood inks distro pact with Hops & Vines

Image credit: Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has signed a deal with Hop & Vines Distributing for the delivery of its products to markets across Texas.

“We are pumped to join forces with the talented team at Hops and Vines Distributing,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “Hops and Vines shares our dedication to quality, service, and bringing only the best craft beer to market. Since day one, our approach was to grow our distribution footprint organically, and now the time has come to share the beer love with almost all of Texas.”

According to a press release, Hops and Vines will roll out distribution to Waco, San Antonio and Houston in addition to the current Lakewood footprint over the next few months. The company will also take over distribution rights in the Austin market.

 “We are incredibly excited and proud to partner with Wim and the brewing talent at Lakewood, and to support and enhance their brand-building efforts throughout the state of Texas,” says Tristan Maldonado, co-founder and CEO of Hops and Vines.

Lakewood’s year-round beers include Lakewood Lager, Lakewood IPA, All Call Kölsch, Lemonale and The Temptress. Another full-time offering, Texas Porter, is set to be launched soon.

“Lakewood is perhaps best known for The Temptress, which is the #1-selling craft stout in the entire state of Texas, even though it’s currently only distributed in limited areas of the state," adds Maldonado. "We’re excited to bring The Temptress and Lakewood’s other highly creative beers to share with beer lovers across more of our great state.”

Hops and Vines will begin servicing Lakewood's retail accounts during the month of September. Lakewood will officially mark its entry into San Antonio at the San Antonio Beer Festival on October 19th, 2019.

Deep Ellum launches Oklahoma distribution

Image credit: Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

Making its first foray outside the State of Texas, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas has announced it will begin shipping products to Oklahoma.

Set to occur this month, Deep Ellum's expansion into the Sooner State is made possible by new partnerships with Capital Distributing of Oklahoma City and LDF Sales & Distributing of Tulsa.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of Deep Ellum’s first brand launch outside of Texas,” says Gordon Green, general manager of Capital Distributing. “Their brand portfolio performs very well and Oklahoma consumers will enjoy these great beers.”

According to a press release, beer drinkers in Oklahoma will soon be able to purchase Deep Ellum's core offerings on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans. That lineup consists of Dallas Blonde, Deep Ellum IPA, Neato Bandito and Easy Peasy IPA. Those four beers will also sold together in the brewery's Mixed Tape 12-pack.

In addition, select specialty beers will be available on draft during the launch, including Local Legend, Deep Ellum Lager, Play Date Sour Blonde Ale and Dreamcrusher Double IPA.

Shannon signs with Hops and Vines, sets sights on San Antonio

Image courtesy of Shannon Brewing Co.

Starting July 1, Shannon Brewing Co. of Keller will begin distributing its fire-brewed beers to San Antonio and other South Texas markets after signing an agreement with Hops and Vines Distributing.

“We are excited about our partnership with Hops and Vines Distributing," says Shannon Carter, founder of the brewery. "They are dedicated to ensuring our beer reaches the market at its peak of freshness, and product quality is paramount to our brewery.”

Founded in 2015, Hops and Vines is billed as San Antonio's first and only independent craft beer, wine and spirits distributor. According to its website, the company's mission is to "assist small brewers and winemakers with developing their footprint, cultivating their brand recognition, and driving volume."

To that end, the following Shannon products will be included in initial shipments to Hops and Vines, with additional labels to be announced soon:  Shannon Irish Red, Shannon Mór IPA, Shannon Blackberry Crystal Wheat and Shannon Pussy Willow Pilsner.

"We are excited to bring Shannon Brewing's award-winning portfolio to San Antonio," says Tristan Maldonado, CEO of Hops and Vines. "The Hops and Vines team is very impressed with Shannon’s beer and the brewery’s dedication to using pure Texas spring water, natural ingredients, and a unique brewing process. Shannon’s beer is perfect for our market.”

Noble Rey announces European expansion

Image courtesy of
Noble Rey Brewing Co.

Looking to expand its reach to overseas markets, Noble Rey Brewing Co. of Dallas has announced a partnership with Neodif, a beverage retailer based in Nantes, France.

Noble Rey's can designs were the catalyst in bringing the two companies together, as Neodif took notice of the brewery's distinctive packaging. Samples were then requested and shared, leading to an agreement giving the French company exclusive rights to produce, package and sell Noble Rey's beers in France and potentially other locations throughout Europe.

Ahead of the launch, founders Chris and Kindra Rigoulot were joined by head brewer Tommy Miller as they toured potential contract breweries in France and Belgium with Neodif’s managing director, Gildas Hays. The trip was undertaken in order to choose which facilities would be the best fit for production.

Two Noble Rey recipes, Vertigo (a double IPA) and Sex in a Canoe (an American light lager) ,were chosen for the first wave of production, which began at the end of 2017.

Both beers have been specifically reformulated for the European market by Miller, with the first cans expected to hit shelves at the end of February. As for where to get them, France's largest chain store, Carrefour, will carry Noble Rey products exclusively at the start.

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Noble Rey can designs are the work of TILT and graphic designer John Rubio.

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.

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.

Texas Ale Project adding more West Texas markets

Image credit: Texas Ale Project.

Continuing on a course of expansion that began earlier this year, Texas Ale Project of Dallas has signed with Reed Beverage Inc. for the delivery of its products to a variety of new West Texas markets.

“We are excited to introduce Texas Ale Project to our customers and to work with a family-owned company who takes pride in what they do,” says Reed's Vice President of Craft, Wine and Liquor, Damion Williams. “Reed Beverage is a proud supporter of Texas craft breweries and looks forward to a long-lasting relationship with Texas Ale Project.”

According to a press release, the two companies believe Reed's quest to provide a culture of creativity and innovation for its customers is something that aligns well with Texas Ale Project's dedication to handcrafting thoughtfully-brewed, well-balanced beer for Texans.

 “We’re eager to partner with the Reed family to bring Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale and 50Ft. Jackrabbit IPA, among others, into the greater West Texas region, and to offer craft beer lovers the beer experience we’ve been bringing to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 3 years now,” says Texas Ale Project’s Founder and CEO, Kat Thompson. “Since we first opened our doors in the Dallas Design District three years ago, we wanted to expand the availability of our beers by partnering with top notch distributors throughout Texas. We’re excited to continue fulfilling that goal now with Reed Beverage distributing our beers in areas of West Texas."

Reed is expected to serve markets in and around Abilene and Amarillo (where the company is based), with an overall distribution footprint to include Briscoe, Haskell and Wheeler Counties.

Shannon Brewing regains D-FW distribution rights

Image credit: Shannon Brewing Co.

Shannon Brewing Co. (SBC) of Keller has announced the re-acquisition of its distribution rights in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

In March of 2016, SBC signed an agreement with Andrews Distributing for the delivery of its products to the local market. However, the brewery's desire to expand its portfolio to include a range of "new and fun beers," coupled with the speed at which these products were being introduced, presented a challenge. As a result, the two companies have mutually decided to end their relationship, effective November 1.

 “Andrews is great at what they do," says Shannon Carter, president of SBC. "They helped introduce the brewery to several accounts and did a good job of marketing our brand. At the end of the day, though, our brewery is growing in a way that doesn’t take advantage of Andrews’ scale and efficiencies. We simply want to be in control of our own brand and product introduction schedule."

According to a press release, SBC's products may now be ordered for delivery directly from the brewery, which means the company's entire portfolio can be carried by any licensed retailer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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For more information or to order beer from SBC, visit the Wholesale Orders section of the brewery's website.

Texas Ale Project adds retailers, begins distribution to Tyler

Image credit: Texas Ale Project.

Now midway through its third year in business, Texas Ale Project of Dallas has announced a two-pronged expansion that includes supplying a variety of new retailers across the Lone Star State, as well as the delivery of its products to the City of Tyler.

According to a press release, the brewery's sales are up over 45% compared to last year, giving Texas Ale Project the capability to increase its distribution footprint to a total of 64 counties in Texas.

“We’re so pleased with the continued growth of our brand," says Kat Thompson, CEO of Texas Ale Project. "The initiative of retailers to expand their Texas craft beer offerings, paired with the high demand for our product, presented a unique opportunity for us as a local, family-owned business to work with well-established retailers. We’re honored to start developing these relationships so early on in our business, and I welcome them to our family!”

Texas Ale Project recently began shipments to Tom Thumb and Albertson's locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. With this latest move, though, fans of the brewery can expect to find its beers throughout Texas at retailers like Fresh by Brookshire's, Lowe's Markets and Doc's Liquors.

In addition, Sam's Club locations in North Texas, Wichita Falls and San Angelo are now carrying six-packs of Texas Ale Project's flagship beers, Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale and 50 FT Jackrabbit IPA. Consumers can also look for a new variety case, featuring a mix of Fire Ant Funeral and one of the brewery's rotating brews, at the Costco on 8055 Churchill Way in Dallas.

Rahr & Sons extends its reach to Kansas and Nebraska

Image credit: Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Nearly a year and a half after first shipping its beer outside of Texas to Oklahoma, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth has announced it will expand its distribution footprint to include the states of Kansas and Nebraska.

According to a press release, Rahr & Sons' beers are available in Kansas as of today, while the company's products are expected to hit shelves in Nebraska around early August.

“Rahr & Sons is proud to be an independent craft brewery focused on making great beer,” says Fritz Rahr, founder of the company. “We are excited to break into these new markets and get to know the many craft beer fans in Kansas and Nebraska.”

Initial deliveries to both states will include the following beers: Rahr’s Blonde Helles Lager, Dadgum IPA, Ugly Pug Schwarzbier,  Bucking Bock, Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and Mr. Wiggles Double Dank IPA. These and future releases, including seasonal brews, will be available for purchase on draft and in cans.

Grapevine resumes canning ahead of return to retail

Image credit: Grapevine Craft Brewery.

Nearly one year ago, Grapevine Craft Brewery made the decision to cease distribution of its products throughout the State of Texas. Now, however, the company has regained the right to self-distribute its brands in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, which means a return to local retail shelves is at hand.

According to a press release, the brewery will continue to operate its contract brewing subsidy, North Texas Brewing Co., but plans are to reinstate shipments of house brands to area grocers and craft beer retailers. At this time, though, only cans will be sent to outside accounts, as draft beer will continue to be served exclusively in Grapevine's taproom.

"It's because of great industry partners and friends that contract brewing has provided a platform for a sustainable business," says Gary Humble, CEO of Grapevine Craft Brewery. "Beyond that, we continue to see great success on the local level in our taproom and beer garden, and fans have continued to support our small business. We love people and we love our community. We could not be more excited to have the opportunity to once again make our beers available to our friends in stores across DFW.”

Six-packs of Lakefire Rye Pale Ale and Sir William's English Brown Ale will hit shelves across the region beginning the third week of July. After that, keep an eye out for the new Railcar Double IPA (ABV 8.5%). Originally marketed as Grapevine's highly-regarded Brewers' Reserve Double IPA, Railcar is set to make its debut in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Celis signs with Andrews for North Texas distribution

Image credit: Celis Brewery.

Taking another step in its brand revival, Celis Brewery of Austin has signed with Andrews Distributing Co. for the delivery of its products to the North Texas market.

Celis Brewery originally arrived on the Texas scene in 1992, being founded by renowned Belgian brewer Pierre Celis. His daughter Christine now carries the mantle of the family name with her new venture, which will operate out of a 22,000 square-foot facility in Northwest Austin. There, Christine's team will brew Pierre’s famous Belgian-style recipes, including the award-winning witbier, Celis White.

Christine Celis, founder and CEO of Celis Brewery, says she is excited to watch the re-introduction of Celis’ beers in North Texas.

“Our beers from Celis Brewery were really popular in North Texas when we were first brewing in the 1990s. It is incredibly exciting to be back brewing Celis Brewery’s original recipes like the famous Celis White and Celis Grand Cru using the proprietary yeast from Belgium,” says Celis. “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and enthusiasm we have received as we have started reintroducing our Celis beers this month. We are thrilled to be working with Andrews Distributing to make sure people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex can find Celis beers at their favorite locations.”

Kelli Hopson, Andrews craft brand manager, says the Andrews team looks forward to being a part of Celis’ growth and success in Texas.

“The Celis name is famous in the beer community and is synonymous with Belgian-style beer,” says Hopson. “All of us at Andrews are thrilled to work with this award-winning team and its world-class beers. We look forward to helping them expand their presence in their home state of Texas and connecting them with beer lovers in Dallas-Fort Worth.”

According to a press release, Andrews plans to launch Celis in North Texas the week of July 3. The initial rollout will include Celis White on draft, with beers like Pale Bock and Citrus Grandis IPA slated to arrive on draft in August. After that, consumers should expect to see all three beers in bottles come September.

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For more information on Celis and the brewery's upcoming events, visit www.facebook.com/CelisBeers.

Texas Ale Project signs with Standard Sales for West Texas distribution

Image courtesy of Texas Ale Project.

Two months ahead of the company's second anniversary, Dallas-based Texas Ale Project (T.A.P.) has signed an agreement with Standard Sales Company of Odessa for the delivery of its products to Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo and other western locales in the Lone Star State.

"We're excited to partner with Standard Sales," says Kat Thompson, owner and CEO of the brewery. "Their team is experienced and knowledgeable in providing great service to customers, and Standard is passionate about offering high quality craft beer. We are honored to be part of their family."

West Texas consumers can expect to see T.A.P flagships Fire Ant Funeral and 50 FT Jackrabbit IPA, as well as 100 Million Angels Singing Double IPA, Payne Pils and other seasonals on draft and in cans beginning in late March. At that time, representatives from the brewery will travel to the region to attend launch events introducing the brand. Details on these will be shared on Texas Ale Project's social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) as they become available.

With the deal in place, beers from Texas Ale Project will now be available in 61 counties across Texas.

Newly added counties include: Andrews, Bailey, Cochran, Concho, Coke, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Dawson, Dickens, Ector, Fischer, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Hale (excluding the City of Plainview), Hockley, Howard, Irion, Lamb, Loving, Lynn, Lubbock, Martin, Menard, Midland, Mitchell, Motley, Reagan, Reeves, Runnels, Schleicher, Scurry, Sterling, Sutton, Terry, Tom Green, Upton, Ward, Winkler and Yoakum.