With barley and beans, Maple Branch adds coffee to its craft mix

Image credits: Maple Branch Craft Brewery.

Maple Branch Craft Brewery of Fort Worth has branched out, literally, beyond the beer with the addition of a new coffee shop located at 2624 Whitmore St., right next door to the taproom. The company's Branch & Bean Coffee + Roastery offers coffee drinks made from house-roasted beans sourced from around the world, with house-made syrups and gelatos available as accompaniments.

According to Igor Stepczynski, marketing coordinator and brand ambassador for both ventures, the motivation to move into coffee is about expanding the craft experience for everyone who frequents Maple Branch.

"When customers come to Maple Branch, they can depend on us for quality beer and food made with the best ingredients and utmost care," says Stepczynski. "For Branch & Bean Coffee + Roastery, we wanted to provide the same standard by buying raw coffee beans, roasting them on site, and providing another way for people to enjoy something made with passion, craft and attention."

Plus, it's a way to further appeal to Maple Branch patrons of all ages who come to the brewery, but aren't drinking beer.

"We pride ourselves for having a wide demographic of customers throughout the day - work professionals, families with children, etc.," adds Stepczynski. "Some of them love our environment but would simply prefer something non-alcoholic. Providing an elevated coffee experience is our way to make sure there is something for everyone at any time of day!"

On that note, while the taproom has lunch and dinner service, early hours at the coffee shop call for pastries and breakfast items. Along those lines, Branch & Bean offers a variety of morning-type fare like breakfast tacos, egg bites and brioches, mini waffles, protein boxes and yogurt, to go along with a selection of bagels, coffee cakes, scones, muffins and more.

Oh, and just so you don't forget about the beer...yes, some of those freshly-roasted beans mentioned beforehand will make their way into the brewhouse at Maple Branch. One such beer, a coconut coffee porter called Yule Fuel is on tap now, while a coffee blonde ale is in the works as well.

As for when to visit, Branch & Bean Coffee + Roastery is open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday-Sunday. The shop is currently operating in a soft opening phase as it works towards a grand opening set for Saturday, September 6.

Manhattan Project exploring expansion to Mesquite

Rendering of a proposed site layout for Manhattan Project's expansion to Mesquite (Simple Development Partners).

Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas is exploring options for an expansion east, this based on information presented to a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Mesquite on June 23.

Currently, Manhattan Project operates in a 15,000 square foot facility established in West Dallas in late 2019. Production is maxed out at that locale, so the company's primary goal is to expand capacity with the proposed project.

Plans outlined by Dallas-based firm Simple Development Partners call for construction of a 90,000 square foot building on a vacant seven-acre site located just southwest of the intersection of U.S. 80 and I-635 in Mesquite. Two tenants would then occupy the structure, with Manhattan Project taking 45,000 square feet of the space and having an option to grow further in the future.

Discussions are still in the early stages, but a production ramp-up would likely be the priority, with retail and/or restaurant amenities potentially not added until later. Either way, should things move forward, the developer estimates it will take up to two years for the completion of construction and improvements.

For now, the main hurdle is a question of zoning, as the land use designation would need to be changed from "Commercial" to "Light Industrial". This matter will be taken up in a city council meeting scheduled for July 21.

---

Update: On July 21, by a 5-2 vote the Mesquite City Council approved an ordinance to change the land use designation as noted, while also changing the zoning for the site to "Planned Development - Commercial" with a conditional use permit granted for a brewery.

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.

Parker County Brewing Co. now occupies new stable in Willow Park

Top center: Parker County's Spicy Chicken Sammie (Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Parker County Brewing Co. of Willow Park first appeared on the North Texas scene after opening in early 2018. Now, seven years later, the brewpub has traded-in its retail development digs for a standalone place of its own right across the highway from its original location.

Currently owned and operated by co-founder Ryan Stewart, the company began looking to expand to a larger facility in late 2022. At first, the plan was to pursue a new construction just down the way along I-20, but an alternative became available when a building once home to Parker County Ice House hit the market.

Located at 210 Willow Bend Dr., the existing building consisted of 4,500 square feet on 0.72 acres of land, but an additional 1,500 square feet was added during the renovation process. And to put it quite simply, the resulting venue is a bigger, better version of the Parker County brewpub.

Bigger being the operative word when talking about the kitchen, dining room and bar area. Add to that an outdoor wrap-around patio (with a covered stage) that has as much room or more than the interior, and patrons and crew members alike should have more than enough room to move around in Parker County's new surroundings.

With regards to other aspects of the upgraded experience, there's also something new on the drink menu. Beverage options begin with Parker County's portfolio of "Unbridled Brews," but now in addition to wine, cider and seltzer, a fully-stocked bar provides the spirits necessary to create a range of hand-crafted cocktails.

Really, just about the only thing standing pat, at least for now, is the brewpub's production setup. Trucked over as-is, the brewdeck and equipment array is manned by Mike Kraft, a longtime industry vet who got his start in North Texas during the brewpub boom of the 1990s. And he's got plenty of taps to play with, considering 30 handles are installed on each side of the service area.

On that note, these days the year-round beer lineup includes Side Pony Blonde, Southern Passion IPA, Just a Phaze IPA and Galactic Cowboy Double Hazy IPA. Then, seasonal selections like 1879 Prohibition Ale, Velvet Reaper Imperial Oatmeal Stout, Peach Blonde, Wild Cherry Sour and others rotate in regularly.

As for the food, Neapolitan pizzas are still the primary culinary attraction, with salads, sammies, wraps, and a kids menu set to fill out the daily offering sheet as well.

Parker County Brewing Co. is now open for lunch and dinner six days a week (closed on Tuesday). An official grand opening takes place on Saturday, March 1, with live music acts hitting the stage starting at 2:30 p.m.

2024 Year in review: North Texas industry perseveres despite down year

All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

The intro to this year's annual review piece is probably going to sound a little bit like a broken record - times are tough and growth is stagnant, with brewery owners doing any and everything they can to stay afloat.

Ask a local owner how things are going, and you get responses like "we're just barely breaking even," or "we've literally never made a profit." That, or there's a note of exasperation with a shake of the head and a shrug, followed by "I'm running a craft brewery." Even worse, "Man, every week, we're just trying to make it to the next Monday."

These are actual conversations had in the last 12 months. Yet, the industry continues to persevere in the face of ongoing difficulties. The bottom still hasn't fallen out despite accelerated closures, but that's only because new openings have been just enough to keep things in balance since 2021.

Whether or not that continues will be something to watch. For 2024, closings outnumbered openings for the second time in three years. That, and there were only four openings - the fewest since 2011, the origin point of the modern craft beer boom locally. And while there are more than a dozen new projects in the works, the development cycle has been a lengthy one for more than a few, leading to uncertainty as to when they'll actually open.

Of course, breweries aren't the only entities struggling, as evidenced by double-digit closures of craft beer-centric bars and growler shops across D-FW in 2024 (see a list provided later in the article). Those calling it quits are citing many of the same reasons behind brewery closures - rising costs, rising rents, and other factors being at the forefront of decisions to fold.

So, how best to navigate the market going forward? In its own 2024 Year in Beer post, the Brewers Association points to things like brand differentiation, a renewed focus on successful product lines (after years of pushing diversification), and being mindful of the overall customer experience.

Even then, uncertainties abound, which leads to the "adapt or die" refrain all over again, but brewery owners would probably be the first to tell you they've been pivoting almost daily since before the pandemic.

As for consumers, the message should be clear - support your local bars and breweries today, so you're not lamenting their loss tomorrow.

Now, more on the 2024 year in beer...

The Business of Beer - Local Dealings

Something else the Brewers Association mentions is the increasing likelihood of consolidations and strategic alliances. Locally, we've had breweries make deals to tap into excess capacity at other locales, but a full-on merger like that of three Houston breweries over the summer hasn't come to pass here.

What we have seen, though, is how breweries can get passed around like trading cards when it comes to large-scale buyouts. Last year, the owners of Four Corners Brewing Co. regained control of their Dallas-based brewery after being acquired by Constellation Brands in 2018. Unfortunately, a different fate has befallen the area's two other acquisition targets.

Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas, which joined CANarchy in 2018, was part of a package sold to Monster Energy in early 2022. Then, in May of this year, Monster ceased local operations in favor of moving production to a facility out of state.

Then, there's the case of Revolver Brewing of Granbury. After a majority interest in the brewery was sold to MillerCoors in 2016, the big beer boys passed the brewery on to Tilray Brands in September. Tilray, however, seems to have its sights set on the THC-infused beverage space, which leaves Revolver's future in doubt.

Moving on to other dealings, even in a tough market there were a number of expansions in 2024. 

From the roster of North Texas brewing operations, Tupps Brewery completed its move to a larger facility in Downtown McKinney in February, while Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano finalized an expansion with a July opening of its new Denton taproom, where production had begun late in 2023.

Among local retailers expanding their reach, Civil Pour Coffee & Beer raised a new "Ruckus" in Richardson and The Old Monk established a new presence in Oak Cliff.

Out-of-state retail companies made moves as well, with The Brass Tap of Florida upping its area franchise count to 13 with openings in Euless and McKinney, Hoppin' of North Carolina introducing its self-pour taproom concept to Fort Worth and Grapevine, and Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania adding spots in Plano and Fort Worth (the latter closed after only a few months).

The area's one notable contraction came to light just recently, as Fort Brewery & Pizza is closing its restaurant and taproom in Fort Worth to focus on production and distribution only.

What's in store for 2025 (or later)? Union Bear is opening a restaurant (sans brewing operations) in McKinney, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina has begun work on their new headquarters in Frisco, 903 Brewers of Sherman has taken out a lease on a satellite spot in Denison, Parker County Brewing Co. is moving across I-30 to a larger locale in Willow Park, Edgewise Eight Brewing has a new spot coming soon in Weatherford, and Bosque River Taphouse has a permanent location in the works for Stephenville.

There are also rumblings of an expansion or a second location being considered by Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas. This, after consecutive years of having the largest reported year-to-year gain in raw barrels produced in North Texas.

Finally, Voodoo Brewing Co. looks to continue its occupation of North Texas with taprooms in Prosper and Lewisville.

The Business of Beer - Statewide Statistics 

According to 2023 economic updates provided by the Brewers Association, Texas produced nearly 1.52 million barrels of beer last year (up from 1.3 million), the state continuing to rank fourth in production nationally. On total brewery count compared to 2022, Texas had 445 breweries (up from 407), with 2.1 breweries per capita (up from 1.9) - ranking 48th nationally (down a notch from 47th).

For 2024, preliminary numbers based on personal tracking show there were only around 30 new brewery openings across Texas (down from 60+ in 2023), with 35 or more closures (down slightly from 39 in 2023).

Numbers for total economic impact in 2023 were up as well, Texas ranking third nationally (steady) while contributing over $5.25 billon to the economy (up from 4.55 billion). Then, with regards to employment, statistics show 28,543 full-time equivalent workers were employed by the state's brewing industry during 2023 (up from 27,000), with the average wage being $49,312 (up from $47,237).

Image/Data: Brewers Association.

Comings and Goings

The overall brewery count in North Texas didn't see significant movement up or down for the third year in a row, with four openings and seven closings and/or consolidations taking place in 2024.

A couple of notes...

Franconia Brewing Co. of McKinney is included in the list of permanent closures for 2024. Social media posts suggest plans to move the business after shuttering the McKinney site in February, but the company filed for bankruptcy in October.

Also, one retroactive change involves adding Brew Aleworks of Granbury to the closure count for 2023. The company closed its taproom and restaurant in November 2023 to focus solely on production and distribution. This involved entering into a joint proprietorship with Revolver Brewing of Granbury, but as of now a related TABC application has not been approved.

With that, there are now 88 active brewing operations in North Texas after taking into account the already announced 2025 closure of Barley & Board in Denton. Adding side projects and subtracting licenses for breweries with multiple locations, 85 different brands of local beer are available in the market.

On the horizon: Acre Distilling of Fort Worth (adding brewing operations), Balanced Rock Brewing of The Colony, Bearded Ax Brewery of Midlothian, East Dallas Brewing Co. of Dallas, La Hermana Cerveceria at Far-Out Dallas (formerly Wriggly Tin), Forney Brewing Co. of Forney, Landon Winery of Gainesville (by way of Greenville production space), Palo Pinto Brewing Co. of Strawn, Smittox Brewing Co. of Dallas, Toasty Bros. of Denton (permanent location), Village Creek Brewing Co. of Rendon...and others.

Openings:

• Black Hawk Brewery, Prosper.
• Glen Echo Brewing, Wylie.
• Three Wide Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Uptown Rail Brewery, Sanger.

New Locations (not counted as a new opening):

• Tupps Brewery, McKinney.

New Taprooms (not counted as a brewery opening):

• Union Bear Brewing Co., Denton (included in 2023 count, production began last year).
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Plano.

Temporary Closures:

• Edgewise Eight Brewing, Weatherford - moving to new location.

Permanent Closures:

• Barley & Board, Denton (will be included in 2025 count).
• By the Horns Brewing, Mansfield.
• Franconia Brewing Co., McKinney.
• Funky Picnic Brewery & Café, Fort Worth.
• Happy Hippie Brewing Co., Richardson.
• Neutral Ground Brewing Co., Fort Worth.
• Wriggly Tin, Dallas.

Consolidations:

• Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Dallas (parent Monster Energy moving production out of state).

Taproom Closures (not counted as a brewery closure).

• Voodoo Brewing Co., Fort Worth.

Source: Individual research.

The Year in Beer 

• A timeline of heady local headlines
  
  January - Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth enlists 6th Ave. Storytelling to help with brand refresh ahead of 20th anniversary. The goal being to "share their journey from the past to the present while casting a vision for their future growth and evolution."
  
  January - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland expands its education efforts by partnering with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) on a curriculum designed to educate the next generation of brewing talent.
  
  February - Maple Branch Craft Brewery of Fort Worth brings home prize for Brewery of the Year in the Under 600-bbl Group at the 2024 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, the professional beer competition put on annually by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
  
  February - Guitars & Growlers, a music-centric craft beer bar and restaurant, taps Outfit Brewing of Dallas to create a line of house beers to be served at the company's three DFW-area locations.
  
  April - North Texans gather to take in a rare total solar eclipse, with over a dozen area breweries crafting special dark beers for the occasion.
  
  April - Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth begins producing Heim Lite for Heim BBQ (both companies fall under the same ownership umbrella). The new beer is available at all area Heim locations.
  
  May - Fritz Rahr, founder of Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, reveals cancer battle. He returned to work at the brewery bearing his name after two years fighting the disease.
  
  May - 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton/Anna unveils new logo. The updated design is meant to symbolize the changes happening at 3 Nations, and to reflect the company's "commitment to ensuring our beers are of the highest quality."
  
  May - Community Beer Co. of Dallas reveals its head brewer is now sober, something which happens to align perfectly with the uptick in demand for non-alcoholic beers.
  
  June - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland teams with Andy's Frozen Custard of Missouri to create the world's largest beer float. The record-breaking result was realized using 50 scoops of Andy's frozen custard and 75 pints of The Temptress, Lakewood's popular imperial milk stout.
  
  June - With the announcement of a new signature event in October, Cloud 9 Charities ends the 11-year run of Best Little Brewfest in Texas.  
  
  August - Ivanhoe Ale Works of Denison debuts new logo and outlook for upcoming 10th anniversary. The brewery worked with Climer Design to develop visuals with a retro and nostalgic vibe "that would honor the original logo and continue to fit the setting of this brewery housed in a vintage movie theater."
  
  August- Vector Brewing of Dallas expands hours and offerings, now providing breakfast and lunch service.
  
  August -  Unlawful Assembly Brewing Co. of Plano becomes the exclusive draft beer provider for Legacy Hall.
  
  September - Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland creates sweet and savory special release for State Fair of Texas. The brewery's Cotton Candy Bacon Blonde Ale was made to pair with a cotton candy syrup-glazed bacon-on-a-stick offering from Rousso Concessions.
  
  September - Rollertown Beerworks of Celina collaborates with Dallas-based metal band Drowning Pool on a Czech dark lager named Revolution. The beer gets its name from the band's newest single.
  
  October - Local supplier of raw ingredients and supplies to professional brewers nationwide, Pro Brew Supply, expands to larger facility in Fort Worth.
  
  October - Celestial Beerworks of Dallas one of over 240 national breweries to participate in the Pouring for Neighbors initiative supporting relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The brewery released Fresh Start, a wet hop hazy IPA, in late October, with a dollar from every pint sold going directly to the cause.
  
  November - Three beers from Vector Brewing of Dallas among those featured in the Best in Beer 2024 issue of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine. Their creations were reviewed alongside other funky, wild and sour beers.
  
  November - Hop & Sting Brewing Co. collaborating with Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q on a new beer to be sold at the restaurant's new, permanent location opening in Allen in 2025. Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q Light Lager is said to pair well with "Good Friends and Great Food."
  
  December - Hop Culture names Vector Brewing of Dallas one of The 11 Best Breweries of 2024.
  
  December - Locust Cider of Washington closes Fort Worth taproom, a location it opened in October 2018.
  
  December - Texas Longhouse Meadery opens for business in Wylie.
  
  
• In Memoriam
  
  The year in beer began on a very sad note, as two local industry figures passed away within days of each other in March.
  
  Charlie Pelletier was a staunch supporter of craft beer in North Texas, especially for those who followed the industry in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. He was the ever-present admin of the Facebook group, Fort Worth Craft Beer. Two local breweries created beers in his honor: Celestial Beerworks of Dallas released Charlie, a hazy IPA in April, followed by Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth with Cheers Charlie, a fruited gose, in May.
  
  Dave Kirk was the co-founder of White Rock Alehouse & Brewery and White Rock Brewing Co. of Dallas. White Rock brewed and released Dave's Heavenly Pils in rememberance of him in May.
  
  Their deaths remind us that craft beer is more than just a beverage or brand, indeed... "Craft Beer is People."
  
  
• List of bar and growler shop closings in 2024
  
  Pour one out for these craft beer-centric venues.
  
  Beer Geeks, Fate.
  Bluffview Growler, Dallas.
  Bubble & Squeak Craft Beer & Wine, Forney.
  City Works, Frisco.
  Cork & Growler, Frisco (opening new spot in Prosper).
  Craft Beer Cellar, Dallas.
  Guitars & Growlers, McKinney.
  Kegs & Mugs, Lewisville.
  Rugby House, Plano.
  T&P Tavern, Fort Worth.


• Ten- and Twenty-year toasts
  
  Those reaching the 10-year anniversary milestone in 2024 included Malai Kitchen of Dallas (brewing operations added in 2014 after originally opening the restaurant in 2011), and Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth. And 20 years? That would be Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth. A look at what each was serving in their very early days:
  
  Malai Kitchen: Bia Hoi Vietnamese Lager, Thai-PA.
  Panther Island Brewing: Allergeez American Pale Wheat Ale, Boom Summer Blonde, Real Good Cream Ale.
  Rahr & Sons: Rahr's Blonde, Texas Red.
  
  Celebrating 10 years in 2025: 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton, Bitter Sisters Brewing Co. of Addison, Division Brewing of Arlington, Four Bullets Brewery of Richardson, Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery of Garland, Ivanhoe Ale Works of Denison, Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas, On Rotation of Dallas, Texas Ale Project of Dallas, Tupps Brewery of McKinney.
  
  
• North Texas award winners: Click here for listings of award-winning beers from 2024, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Texas Craft Brewers Cup, United States Beer Tasting Championship, U.S. Open Beer Championship, Best of Craft Beer Awards, Craft Beer Marketing Awards, and Indiana Brewers' Cup.
  
  

• Preferred pours of 2024 (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed):
  
  Armor Wheat Wine
  Celestial Stare at the Sun Japanese Black Rice Lager
  False Idol Knifehead Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
  Ivanhoe Dammit Janet English Brown Ale
  Jaquval Rabble Rabble Coffee Stout
  Maple Branch Prince's Gate Smoked Amber Kellerbier
  Martin House Day Ruiner Whiskey Barrel-Aged Blonde Barleywine
  Oak Cliff Ravenator Doppelbock
  Odd Muse The Hermit Barrel-Aged American Barleywine
  On Rotation Orchard Belgian Dark Strong Ale with Plum & Apple
  Rollertown Revolution Czech Dark Lager
  Soul Fire Cleburne's Goatman Oatmeal Stout
  Tupps Red Riot Rye IPA
  Turning Point Under the Big Top Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Salted Caramel Imperial Stout
  Union Bear New Zealand Pilsner
  Vector/Smittox Collective Rhythms Coffee Cream Ale

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Fort Brewery & Pizza to close taproom and restaurant, focus on distribution

Image credit: Fort Brewery & Pizza.

Fort Brewery & Pizza has announced the company will close its taproom and restaurant in Fort Worth, with plans to focus on private events and the production and distribution of its beers.

Founders Will Churchill and Corrie Watson got into the beer business after purchasing Chimera Brewing Co. on Magnolia Ave. in 2018 (originally named Zio Carlo Brewpub when it opened in 2011). The pair moved the business to its current locale at 2737 Tilray St. in October 2021.

The change of venue had helped the brewpub develop a reputation as a premier pizza and live music spot, but according to a social media post, growing demand for its beers and a need to expand has led to this change in direction.

"Over the years, our Distribution has grown like crazy! We went from being found in just our tap room to over 175 retail outlets throughout DFW - and people are screaming for more!

To scale like we need to, we will be closing our Tap Room and Restaurant...so we can focus our energy and attention on Private Events and growing the Fort Brewery brand across our great State of Texas!"

The final day of service at Fort Brewery & Pizza will be Sunday, December 29.

Pro Brew Supply expands to larger facility in Fort Worth

Image: Pro Brew Supply.

Pro Brew Supply, the premier supplier of raw ingredients and supplies to professional brewers nationwide, has announced their relocation to a newly-renovated, 40,000+ square foot warehouse at 1734 E. El Paso St. in Fort Worth. The new space sets up near Trinity River Distillery and Wild Acre Restaurant & Beer Garden on the same commercial lot.

Founded by Brenden "Stubby" Stubblefield, the company got its start in 2011 as Texas Brewing Inc. (TBI), a retail homebrew supply shop in Haltom City. The servicing of commercial accounts began in 2016, with the success of this aspect leading to the formation of Pro Brew Supply in 2017. The final evolution came in May 2023, when TBI was closed and the focus was shifted to Pro Brew Supply and enhancing service to the professional brewing community across the entire United States.

A significant expansion over their previous 30,000 square foot facility, the new warehouse is custom-designed to meet the unique needs of the operation. It will enable Pro Brew Supply to increase inventory capacity, improve logistical efficiency, and create even more opportunities for collaboration with commercial breweries. Additionally, with a secondary warehouse located in the Chicagoland area, Pro Brew Supply can ensure faster and more efficient distribution to brewers across the country.

"We're thrilled to take this next step in Pro Brew Supply's journey," says Stubblefield. "This new space is tailored specifically to support professional brewers. The expanded facilities, combined with our strategic warehouse locations, allow us to better serve commercial breweries from coast to coast. Our commitment is to the success of professional brewers, and this facility is a key part of that mission."

Pro Brew Supply is planning to host an open house at the new locale in the coming months. This event will provide the professional brewing community with an opportunity to tour the new facility, meet the team, and learn about the exciting developments Pro Brew Supply has in store.

Vector Brewing expands hours, offerings with AM and lunch service

Cinnamon Rolls from Salt Sweets and the new Brekky Sando at Vector Brewing.

Since opening in 2020, Vector Brewing of Dallas has primarily been a late afternoon, evening and weekend destination, but now with the addition of coffee, breakfast and lunch service, the brewpub sets up as the ideal place for a pick-me-up all hours of day.

One reason for the move - East Dallas has some wonderful local coffee shops, but none within the almost four-mile stretch between Northwest Highway and US-75. Until now.

“We live on the west side of East Dallas,” says Veronica Bradley, co-owner of Vector Brewing, “and we really felt the need for a neighborhood coffee spot that wasn’t corporate.”

Plus, it's becoming more common for breweries to incorporate coffee programs into their business plans. Manhattan Project Beer Co. in Oak Cliff has served up espresso drinks since day one. Jaquval Brewery and Gastropub in the Bishop Arts District shares their space with Trades, a coffee and deli lunch spot owned by the same restaurant group.

“When we were toying with the idea of adding coffee and breakfast, it was great to hear that our beer peers were doing the same,” says Craig Bradley, co-owner of Vector Brewing. “After being open for a few years, sales dip and costs rise. That’s the business. So, we always need to find new ways to use our space. Coffee was the obvious next step for us.”

The Bradleys, a husband-and-wife team from Lake Highlands, consulted with longtime friends Kevin and Marta Sprague of Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters to find the equipment, select coffee and espresso blends, and to get words of support. Tiffani Kocsis of East Dallas Middle Ground also shared her knowledge with the couple.

“When it came to launching this next phase of Vector, the outpouring of support from our fellow small businesses was what my soul needed,” Veronica adds. “You aren’t going to get that kind of help from anyone who hasn’t owned a small business.”

Now that the doors open at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday, Vector had to add new food items to the menu. Their Brekky Sando, a folded egg sandwich on focaccia bread from La Casita Bakeshop, has proven to be the most popular breakfast item. Other choices include cinnamon rolls from Lake Highland’s own Salt Sweets, as well as kolaches and klobasneks (also known as pigs in a blanket) from Lake Highland’s Hummingbird Sweets.

Rollertown breaks ground on new Frisco HQ

Logo courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks. Insets © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D (click to enlarge).

Officially kicking off a project first announced in November 2022, Rollertown Beerworks of Celina broke ground today on what will become the company's new headquarters in Downtown Frisco.

The principals at Rollertown include Jonathan Rogers, co-founder and CEO, along with Ben Rogers and Jeff "Skin" Wade, co-founders and hosts of The Ben & Skin Show on 97.1 The Freak. They were joined at the event by Frisco city leaders and a list of sports and entertainment celebrities who also happen to be Rollertown investors:

Dirk Nowitzki, formerly of the Dallas Mavericks.
Travis Frederick, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.
Torii Hunter, formerly of the Minnesota Twins.
Matt Kemp, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dude Perfect, Frisco-based Sports and Comedy Group.

As for Rollertown's future home, it will be built on 2.9-acre tract at the northeast corner of Main St. and John Elliot Parkway. Buildings will be designed with an industrial look meant to play off their proximity to the BNSF railroad, while also paying homage to mills that once occupied the land.

Exterior views of the brewhouse, taproom and event lawn (Rollertown Beerworks, City of Frisco, PGAL).

Among the features are over 6,350 square feet of air-conditioned indoor hospitality space, including a two-level taproom with large porches and multiple bars, a 4,320 square foot outdoor beer garden, a 25,200 square foot great lawn connecting Frisco’s historic grain silos to the taproom’s porches (fronted by an 800 square foot performance stage), and a 15,000 square foot production hall featuring three different sized brewhouses (30-bbl, 7-bbl, 1-bbl).

"We are absolutely thrilled to be planting our flag in what is consistently recognized as one of the finest cities in the country," says Jonathan Rogers. "To join the family of companies based in Frisco that includes the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Stars, the Frisco Roughriders, the PGA of America, and Keurig Dr Pepper among many others is a true honor.”

Interior views of the two-story taproom (Rollertown Beerworks, City of Frisco, PGAL).

Rollertown Frisco will be equidistant from Toyota Stadium and Frisco’s Historic Downtown. This family and dog-friendly venue is meant to be a cornerstone of Frisco’s Downtown development plans and a beacon of community engagement.

“We’ve been brainstorming for years about how to find the best project for the silo tract to incorporate into our plans to redevelop historic downtown,” says Mayor Jeff Cheney. “We believe Rollertown Beerworks fulfills our vision to bring destination entertainment to the heart of our city. Research shows our residents want live music, brewery experiences, and historic downtown settings – all while being family friendly. Rollertown delivers."

Look for Rollertown Frisco to open in the summer of 2025.

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).

2023 Year in review: Record movement in and around The Metroplex

All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Let there be no doubt, it's been a dynamic and challenging year in the North Texas beer industry, with new highs recorded in both openings and closings among the roster of local breweries. The news isn't all bad, but it isn't good either, as breweries on the cusp have gone public with struggles and even resorted to fundraisers in an effort to stay afloat.

Taking stock, an increase in closures shouldn't come as a surprise. For several years, market headwinds have been a hot topic of discussion in industry groups, with the Brewers Association at the forefront sounding the alarm.

What's causing the headwinds? In addition to the after-effects of the pandemic, the BA points to slowing demand, declines in draft sales, and reduced shelf space for craft beer at retailers. Increasing competition exacerbated by the influx of other alcohol segments is certainly playing a role across the board, but the draft and retail bits have been a factor for some time. These being a catalyst to the rise of taprooms and the push for passage of beer to go legislation.

Locally, reasons for closing have mostly centered around the familiar refrain of the pandemic's influence on inflation, the supply chain, and staff retention. Increased operating costs aggravated by rising rents have convinced some to decline lease renewals, while undercapitalization and a general lack of local support have contributed to the demise of others.

Given the choppy waters, what maybe is surprising is the continued momentum behind new projects. Some current owners say they never would have opened a brewery if met with today's market environment at startup. Even still, a new breed of undeterred entrepreneurs appears ready to take on the difficulties of a crowded market in the midst of a flat growth period.

And there, perhaps, is an important point. Some see the rate of closures and start talking shakeout, but so far this isn't like how the bubble burst on the brewpub era of the late 1990s. In that case, the number of breweries in North Texas dropped by half over the course of five years, with no one waiting in the wings to fill the gaps. This was followed by an extended period of industry stagnation.

Right now, things have simply leveled off after a decade of continual growth, with openings and closings offsetting. So, will the trend continue, will the number of wort wranglers rise again, or is there a reckoning still to come? Pundits will have their predictions, but only time will tell.

With that, let's dive into more details on the 2023 year in beer.

The Business of Beer - Local Dealings

In response to the headwinds, the BA has suggested a need to innovate, while also engaging in strategies to reach new and existing customers with new flavors and new experiences. Indeed, as we've seen in recent times (and past year in review articles) local breweries have been doing just that since before the pandemic.

For example, most locals have explored new flavors beyond beer, like hard seltzer, hop water and kombucha. A list of items introduced in 2023 would include Society Spirits - an in-house small-batch spirits program at Community Beer Co. of Dallas, the expanded line of branded spirits (produced by a local distillery) at Rollertown Beerworks of Celina, "Oh, Snap" craft sodas at HopFusion Ale Works of Fort Worth, and Palo Pinto Craft Cocktails from Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.

On new flavors in beer, it's worth mentioning a brewery that stepped far outside of its comfort zone in 2023. Four Bullets Brewery of Richardson, traditionally a maker of English-inspired ales, brewed a hazy IPA for the first time in its eight-year history. The company's Ace in the Haze IPA debuted in early December.

There's also the topic of low-ABV or non-alcoholic beers, which up to now have only been attempted by a few producers (Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Funky Picnic Brewery & Café), the latest being Turning Point Beer of Bedford, who just days ago dropped The Reverend Green, a non-alcoholic West Coast IPA.

Of course, pairing those beverages with food is another avenue for adding flavor. Among the food-service enhancements for 2023: Say When Brewing Co. of Denison began offering made-to-order pizzas in July, while Division Brewing of Arlington opened an additional spot across from its production facility, where they've been serving a menu of house-made burgers and pizza since October.

Shifting the focus to new experiences, five local brewing companies added new locations in 2023. Union Bear Brewing Co. of Plano kicked off the year by announcing plans to open a restaurant-only location in McKinney sometime in 2024. This was followed by news in September surrounding the acquisition of Armadillo Ale Works' former facility in Denton. Union Bear's taproom there is still under construction, but beer production started in October.

Elsewhere, White Rock Brewing Co. of Dallas unveiled new digs off Beckley Ave. in April, 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrolton opened an Anna satellite in September, Soul Fire Brewing Co. of Roanoke launched its Cleburne space in November, and Bankhead Brewing Co. added to its roster of brewpubs in Rowlett and Fort Worth with a Farmers Branch locale in December.

As for others upgrading aspects of their brand experience, Happy Hippie Brewing Co., transitioned from an alternating proprietorship at Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine to its own brick-and-mortar location in Richardson, the opening act taking place there in October.

And, while it's on a smaller scale, Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery of Garland literally propped up its taproom experience with the installation of a rooftop deck. Completed in October, it's proven to be a popular spot for elevated imbibing.

Looking ahead to 2024, Glen Echo Brewing of Wylie, Black Hawk Brewery of Prosper and Three Wide Brewing of Fort Worth are weeks away from opening. The same can be said for Tupps Brewery, as they put the finishing touches on a new site in McKinney.

On the horizon: Balanced Rock Brewing of The Colony, Bearded Ax Brewery of Midlothian, Beer Geeks Brewery of Fate, East Dallas Brewing Co. of Dallas, Forney Brewing Co. of Forney, Smittox Brewing Co. of Dallas, Texas Foothills Distillery of Bowie, Toasty Bros. of Denton (permanent location) and Village Creek Brewing Co. of Rendon.

The Business of Beer - Statewide Statistics 

The 2022 economic update from the Brewers Association has Texas ranked fourth in production nationally (up from sixth in 2021), with 1.3 million barrels produced (up from 1.13 million). Statistics related to the state's total brewery count in 2022 were flat compared to 2021: 407 breweries (up from 406), 1.9 breweries per capita (down from 2) - ranking 47th (steady). 

On total economic impact, Texas was third (steady), contributing over $4.5 billion to the economy (down from $4.9 billion). The state's brewing industry employed just over 27,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021 (down from 30,000), paying almost $1.3 billion in wages and benefits, with an average annual salary of $47,237 (down from 1.5 billion and $49,984).

For 2023, tracking shows nearly 60 new brewery openings across Texas (up from ~40 in 2022), with 30 or more closures (likely a low count, considering a fair percentage would be from North Texas alone).

Image/Data: Brewers Association.

Comings and Goings

In North Texas, there were 16 new openings offset by 14 closings and consolidations during 2023.

Regarding the latter number, the consolidations qualifier is used to account for acquisitions or cases where active companies have reduced their number of licensed locations. Examples include the acquisition of Grapevine Craft Brewery by Hop & Sting Brewing Co. in 2018, and the assumption of Noble Rey Brewing Co.'s portfolio by Nocona Beer & Brewery in 2019.

There's also Malai Kitchen, who consolidated brewing operations in Southlake under the new Malai Brewing moniker, after the company had previously managed other licensed locales in Dallas (expiring in 2022) and Fort Worth (expiring in 2023). Consolidations also occurred this year at White Rock Brewing Co. and Pegasus City Brewery of Dallas.

Geographically, new projects still target suburban areas, but the City of Dallas landed four developments this year - the most for "Big D" since 2018. Fort Worth, conversely, hasn't been home to a new opening for over two years. As for the future, both cities appear in the list of breweries either under construction or development, viewable by clicking the "In Development" tab at the top of the page.

Summing up the overall state of affairs entering 2024, there are now 93 active brewing operations in North Texas. After accounting for side projects and breweries with multiple locations, consumers can pick from 90 different brands of local beer in the market.

Openings:

• 3 Nations Brewing Co., Anna.
• Armor Brewing Co., Allen  (took over Nine Band Brewing Co. space).
• Bankhead Brewing Co., Farmers Branch  (took over Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery space).
• Black Fox Brewing Co., Denton  (took over Howling Mutt Brewpub space).
• Boozie's Brewery & TX Fare, Fairview.
• Bosque River Taphouse, Stephenville.
• Celestial Beerworks - The Satellite, Dallas.
• Dr. Jeckyll's Brew Lab, Pantego (added brewing operations to existing business model).
• Flix Brewhouse, Mansfield.
• Jaquval, Dallas.
• Keyworth Brewing Co., North Richland Hills.
• Soul Fire Brewing Co., Cleburne.
• Three Empires Brewing Co., Frisco.
• Union Bear Brewing Co., Denton  (producing beer, taproom in 2024, took over Armadillo Ale Works space).
• White Rock Brewing Co., Dallas.
• Wriggly Tin, Dallas.

New Locations (not counted as a new opening):

• Happy Hippie Brewing Co., Richardson

New Taprooms (not counted as a brewery opening).

• Anvil Brewing, Royse City  (satellite location for Pittsburg, Texas-based brewery).
• Voodoo Brewing Co., Grand Prairie  (franchise location for Pennsylvania-based brewery).

Permanent Closures:

• Ash & Ember Brewing, Cedar Hill.
• Big Spray Brewing, Princeton.
• Boozie's Brewery & TX Fare, Fairview.
  
• Bourbon-n-Branch Brewing Co., Hudson Oaks.
• Brutal Beerworks, North Richland Hills.
• Chambers Creek Brewing Co., Maypearl  (new ownership - ceased brewing, continuing as a bar only).
• Food Experience Corporation, Aubrey.
• Hemisphere Brewing Co., Rockwall.
• Howling Mutt Brewpub, Denton.
  
• Shannon Brewing Co., Keller.
• Walking Beam Brewing Co., Bridgeport.

Consolidations:

• Malai Kitchen, Fort Worth.
       - Consolidated operations at Malai Brewing, Southlake.
• Pegasus City Brewery Design District, Dallas.
       - Consolidated operations at Pegasus City Brewery Downtown, Dallas.
• White Rock Alehouse & Brewery, Dallas.
       - Consolidated operations at White Rock Brewing Co., Dallas.
  

Taproom Closures (not counted as a brewery closure).

• Boozie's Brewery & Gourmet Sandwiches, Fort Worth.
• Cowtown Brewing Co., Southlake.
       - Operations continue at Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
  
  

Source: Individual research.

The Year in Beer 

• A timeline of heady local headlines
  
  February - Vector Brewing of Dallas is named Brewery of the Year in the Under 600-bbl Group at the 2023 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, a professional beer competition put on annually by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
  
  March - Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania announces first franchise taproom in Texas. After the initial spot opened in Grand Prairie at the end of May, construction began on an additional pub in Plano. A third in Fort Worth is presumably also in the works.
  
  March - Tupps Brewery of McKinney pops the top on a brand refresh intended to elevate the brewery's visual look "to match the quality of our beers and our service." An official launch party celebrating the new logo and revamped can designs was held in April.
  
  April - Fort Brewery & Pizza of Fort Worth rolls out new 16-ounce cans featuring removable stickers.
  
  May - "Beer to You" bills denied hearing and Senate Committees. Led by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild and its political action committee arm, CraftPAC, this effort sought to legalize home delivery from Texas breweries.
  
  May - Constellation sells Four Corners Brewing Co. back to its founders. After purchasing the Dallas brewery in 2018, the deal with Constellation Brands allowed Four Corners to regain its independence.
  
  June - Funky co-founder achieves Advanced Cicerone status, as Collin Zreet of Funky Picnic Brewery & Café completed requirements necessary to become one of only eight to hold the rank in all of Texas.
  
  June - Horsemen rein in AHA's 2023 Radegast Club of the Year award. The Fort Worth homebrew club was honored at this year's National Homebrew Competition put on by the American Homebrewers Association.
  
  November - Johnson County Distillery brands beer side of the business as Wildbreak Brewing Co. of Cleburne. The move is intended to bring more attention to the brewing operation by way of its own identity.
  
  November - Dallas beer bar Strangeways fights to stay open, after fears it would be forced to close in October.
  
  November - False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills among Editor's Picks in Beer & Brewing Magazine. The brewery's barrel-aged stout, Ralphie Runs Wild, named one of the publication's 20 best beers of 2023.
  
  November - Brew Aleworks to focus on production and distribution after deciding to cease operation of its taproom and restaurant in Granbury.
  
  December - Revolver debuts Texas A&M co-branded beer. As part of a partnership between its parent company and Texas A&M Athletics, the Granbury brewery created Block T Blonde Ale, a beer named for a formation of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.
  
  December - North Texas collab lands on Hop Culture's 2023 best beer list. The work of False Idol Brewing of North Richland Hills, 903 Brewers of Sherman and Vector Brewing of Dallas, the Hop Culture site recognized Perpetual Contortion, a barrel-aged English barleywine.
  
  

• Beer meets sportsball
  
  Local breweries produced a number of beers inspired by local college and pro sports organizations in 2023.
  
  Pony Pils from Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland: Inspired by the alma matter of founder Wim Bens, a portion of proceeds from sales will go to the LBC Future Brewer STEM Scholarship at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
  
  Hell's Half Lager from Fort Brewery and Pizza of Fort Worth: This beer was created in collaboration with local apparel company, Hell's Half Acre Stadium Goods, for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Flying T Club at Texas Christian University (TCU).
  
  The 133 Premium Pilsner from Rollertown Beerworks of Celina: Inspired by the grassroots fan group known as Rangers.Nation on Instagram, who helped cheer on the Texas Rangers' run to a World Series championship, this beer "celebrates the passion and dedication of this pioneering group of local baseball fanatics."
  
  
• Fool's Game
  
  In one of best surprise moments of the year, members of the local industry came together for a fun April Fool's Day prank. Over 15 area breweries adopted the colors and designs of others for the day, posting the resulting logos for all to enjoy.
  
  

  

  All logos and graphics the property of their respective owners. Image: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.
  
  

• Ten-year toasts
  
  Those reaching the 10-year anniversary milestone in 2023 included Community Beer Co. of Dallas, Martin House Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, and 903 Brewers of Sherman. A sampling of what each was serving on opening day in 2013:
  
  903: The Chosen One (coconut cream ale), Roo's Red (hoppy red ale).
  Community:  Pale Ale, Public Ale (ESB), Vienna Lager.
  Martin House: Day Break 4-Grain Breakfast Beer, The Imperial Texan (double red IPA), River House Saison.
  
  Celebrating 10 years in 2024: Malai Kitchen of Dallas (brewing operations now take place in Southlake), Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth.
  
  Celebrating 20 years in 2024: Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.
  
  
• North Texas award winners: Click here for summaries of award-winning beers from 2023, with competition results from the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, Texas Craft Brewers Cup, Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer, North American Brewers Association International Beer & Cider Awards, United States Beer Tasting Championship and U.S. Open Beer Championship.
  
  

• The 2023 list of Beer in Big D's preferred pours (new-to-market, or newly-discovered beers some blogger particularly enjoyed): Armor Smoked Porter, Beard Science pHunky pHlemish, Celestial Sonus, False Idol Velsigne, Funky Picnic A Haw-Haw-Haw-Haw in Billy Gibbons' Voice, Martin House Obsidian Eclipse, Rollertown Dunkel, Three Empires Amber's First Time, Turning Point 2023 Barrel-Aged Stout, Vector Schützenkönig, Windmills Black Market Liver, Wriggly Tin Oro Moro.

Cheers and Happy New Year!