Lakewood releases Big D IPA #003

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has begun shipping the latest in its limited "Big D" line of double dry-hopped IPAs. 

According to a press release, Big D IPA #003 (8.5% ABV) is a fresh take on the series "that delicately merges bold citrus and stone fruit flavors with a semi-sweet body to provide a crisp, succulent sip."

“As we’ve been making IPAs over the years, I’ve looked for new ways to utilize hops to really amplify their unmistakable character,” says Justin Hatley, innovation brewer at Lakewood. “Today we benefit from some of the best and most thorough hop research in generations, courtesy of the very growers themselves. So, when Hopsteiner, one of the best suppliers around, tells me they have a new, bold blend of hops called Trident designed to impart some of the fruitiest flavors possible, I had to try them!”

Using copious amounts of this blend, Lakewood imparted its unique floral bitterness into Big D IPA #003, along with notes of orange, mango, and kiwi.

"Using old homebrew hopping techniques and a healthy dry hop dose of the Trident hop blend, I think Big D #3 is my favorite in the series thus far," adds Hatley. "Big, juicy, fruity flavors with just enough bitterness for my old-school IPA palate. Give it a go, trust me, I’m sure this’ll put hop heads over the top!”

Big D IPA #003 is currently available statewide on draft and in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Lakewood unveils act two of music-centric beer series

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland is ready to take the stage with act two of its 2021 music-inspired series, Lakewood Live.

Lakewood Live Vol. 2 is an imperial rice lager brewed with green, pillowy pounds of imported matcha. According to a press release, "the matcha pairs beautifully with the crispness of a full-bodied lager, both uniting to deliver a truly sublime sip that delivers on Lakewood’s promise of 'Seriously Fun Beer'."

“I've always wanted to take a shot at an imperial lager,” says Justin Hatley, innovation brewer at Lakewood. “I never liked ones I've had in the past as they can come off as too sweet. Even if we're clocking in at 7% ABV, I still want it to drink like a smooth, crisp lager. When the idea of a matcha beer came up I knew I had the right beer in mind. With the addition of Loral and Meridian hops, it's a delightful floral lager. My only regret is it isn't green!”

Look for Lakewood Live Vol.2 on draft and in four-packs of 12-ounce cans wherever craft beer is sold. As with the inaugural beer in the series, this edition is launching alongside an official Spotify playlist curated by the staff at Lakewood. Click here to listen to "Live from Lakewood - Vol. 2."

Lakewood's latest is loaded up and truckin'

Special edition taproom-only crowler labels of The Bandit will
be available at the brewery on July 2 (Lakewood Brewing Co.).

Complete with limited edition (crowler) label imagery featuring Pontiac's classic Firebird Trans Am, Lakewood Brewing Co. is conjuring up memories of the movie Smokey and the Bandit  with its latest release, an American-style lager billed as The Bandit.

According to a press release, The Bandit is a nuanced, yet approachable beer that's light but not lacking in flavor or body. Moreover, The Bandit promises to be a "go-to by summer's end" as it helps to keep consumers' ever-present thirst at bay during the Texas heat.

“I’ve always be a fan of a certain beer from Colorado that you might find at fancy banquets,” says Justin Hatley, innovation brewer at Lakewood. “I tried to emulate that but with a touch more Saaz hops to bring a bit more aroma than an average American lager. And it's brewed with flaked rice instead of flaked corn. Not hoppy, but balanced. Clean and crisp.”

The Bandit is a draft-only release. Look for it on tap and in crowlers beginning this Friday, July 2, in the Lakewood Taproom. A statewide rollout is set to follow, with The Bandit arriving at draft accounts next week.

Lakewood drops Big D IPA #002

Images courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

In February, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland introduced a new line of double dry-hopped IPAs dubbed "Big D." Now, the Big D IPA series is back with its second installment, Big D IPA #002.

According to a press release, Big D IPA #002 (8% ABV) is dry-hopped with a mix of Lotus, Azacca and Sultana hops. This is said to result in a "remarkably refreshing and quaffable" beer with notes of orange zest, caramelized pineapple, and fresh vanilla.

“My goal was to brew a beer for, honestly, me!” says Justin Hatley, innovation brewer at Lakewood. “As a huge fan, I wanted to find the best of both worlds when it comes to IPAs, bridging the gap from the traditional New-England style hazy with its strong fruit forward flavor, and the West-Coast tradition of crisp, bitter dankness. Big D IPA#002 is the perfect marriage of both, complimenting instead of compromising on the vision of each!”

Big D IPA #002 is currently available statewide on draft and in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Lakewood goes darker with 2021 Double Chocolate Temptress

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.0

Lakewood Brewing Co. (LBC) of Garland has teamed again with local chocolatier Yeli Marshall from Yelibelly Chocolates for the release of 2021 Double Chocolate Temptress.

“We really embraced the dark side of chocolate this year,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of LBC.

According to a press release, this year's edition of Double Chocolate Temptress is bigger and bolder in dark chocolate flavor. Copious amounts of single origin cocoa nibs and a healthy dose of dark cocoa were added to make the beer a dark chocolate lover’s dream. The resulting flavor profile is said to be full of dark chocolate flavor, with aromas of rich cacao, smoke and vanilla.

The brewery also took steps to make the 2021 edition of Double Chocolate Temptress even better than last year's by way of changes to its process.

 “Since we use all-natural ingredients as much as possible, last year’s Double Chocolate, while tasting amazing, had some of the chocolate oils separate in the bottle," explains Bens. "It’s always a challenge when you’re working with real ingredients. We knew we could do better, and we did.”

Double Chocolate Temptress is available in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles as of today in the Lakewood Taproom. Statewide distribution will begin the week of April 26.

Lakewood launches new music-centric beer series

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. (LBC) of Garland is showcasing the brewery's love of live music with a new three-beer limited series called Lakewood Live.

“Who’s ready for some live music?!” says Wim Bens, founder and president of LBC. “We’re huge music fans at LBC and we’ve been yearning for some live music during the pandemic. That lead to us making a music-centric series celebrating all genres of beer and music.”

According to a press release, the Lakewood Live series will consist of three beers, with each celebrating a musical style. First to hit the stage, as it were, is Lakewood Live Vol. 1. This country and western-inspired imperial peach saison has a sun kissed peach hue, with sweet and tangy peach flavors and an 8% ABV "for a knee-slappin' good time."

Asked why a peach saison reminded him of country and western music, Bens said, “We Texans love our peaches! And a saison is a traditional countryside beer.”

Coming later this year, Lakewood Live Vol.2 will be an imperial rice lager with matcha tea, inspired by high-energy electronic dance music. Then, following that, Vol. 3 will be an imperial Norwegian stout, brewed to be as big and black as Norwegian black metal.

Each beer will have its own musical accompaniment in the form of a curated Spotify playlist featuring songs picked by LBC's staff. Click here to listen to "Live from Lakewood - Vol. 1."

As for Vol.1, the beer, it's out now and available statewide in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.

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

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lakewood reaches final level of IPA series with Boss Fight

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Advancing to the final stage of its yearlong IPA series inspired by retro gaming and the almighty hop, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland urges consumers to get their game face on in preparation for the Boss Fight!

A monster double dry-hopped imperial hazy IPA, Level 4: Boss Fight features a blend of choice hops from New Zealand, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Sunrise and Riwaka varieties. According to the brewery, this mix creates an aroma with notes of tropical fruit, citrus and stone fruit. As for Boss Fight's finish and feel, Lakewood describes Boss Fight as well-balanced with a reserved bitterness.

“We’re at the end of our year-long DDH series and it’s been a blast, but before we kiss 2020 goodbye we gotta fight the Boss!” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “This series has been a bright spot in a year that’s been anything but in the beer industry. It’s been a welcome distraction and has made us better brewers for lots of new innovation to come in 2021.”

Level 4: Boss Fight will be available in four-packs of 12-ounce cans beginning the first week of December. Look for it at select retailers, or head to Lakewood's Drive-Thru to pick it up to-go.

Rollertown launching “Hazy Gonna Set it Off” Turkey Day beer program

All images courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks.

It's already been a big year for fans of D-FW radio personalities Ben Rogers and Jeff 'Skin' Wade. The duo first debuted a new "Ben & Skin" show on 97.1 The Eagle in February, following that with the April opening of their own brewery and taproom, Rollertown Beerworks in Celina. Now, they're looking to generate even more excitement with the announcement of a special beer program meant to take Turkey Day to the next level.

Rollertown is launching its First Annual "Hazy Gonna Set it Off" program, a tribute to Rogers' legendary “Gravy Gonna Set it Off” story of personal Thanksgiving failure. Rogers retells the story on the air every year, and it has created a cult following among D-FW radio fans that, for many, signals the start of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“This story represents personal holiday failure on a grand scale,” says Rogers. “It has been a great way to make fun of myself over the years to lift people’s spirits and to get them ready for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

The program is headlined by two new beers, limited edition merchandise tied in to the story, and limited edition 22-ounce bottles of three brews crafted to act as a tasting companion to your Thanksgiving meal. Beers is the program consist of:

Belgian Barnyard (4.2% ABV, 24 IBU): a crisp table saison with a sweet, light body and a hint of tartness. Bursting with flavors of pomegranate, yuzu, and lemongrass, Belgian Barnyard is designed to act as a Thanksgiving appetizer.

Hazy Gonna Set it Off Double IPA (9% ABV, 65 IBU): the program's namesake is double dry-hopped with Galaxy, Sultana, and Nelson Sauvin hops, along with Sauvignon blanc grape must. With notes of wine grapes, ripe pineapple, mango, grapefruit, and blood orange, Hazy Gonna Set it Off is designed to complement the main Thanksgiving course.

War Daddy (10% ABV, 55 IBU): a dark-as-night imperial stout with strong flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and cacao nibs. Cold-brewed through coffee roasted by KLLR Coffee, Wardaddy is designed to be served as Thanksgiving dessert.

Tune in to 97.1 The Eagle on Friday, November 20, where Ben & Skin will unveil the program live on-air around 2:05 p.m. They will retell the Thanksgiving story during Friday's show from 4-5 p.m., and then again during a socially-distanced event at the brewery on Wednesday, November 25.

Sales of the program elements go live at 2:05 p.m. on Friday by way of the brewery's website (click here), with customers able to pick up their purchase during taproom hours through Wednesday.

Collectible Hazy Gonna Set it Off bottles are $20 and limited to 750 units. Each bottle features a wax-dipped closure, a custom sticker designed by local artist Mik Jimenez, and is personally signed and numbered by Ben & Skin. Those who miss out on this limited bottle can still acquire 16-ounce crowlers of the namesake beer for their holiday enjoyment. Wax-dipped Belgian Barnyard and Wardaddy bottles will sell for $15.

For fans seeking the full production, the brewery is offering 100 “Set it Off” packages for $50. Packages contain one bottle each of Hazy Gonna Set it Off, Belgian Barnyard and Wardaddy, along with two Hazy-branded red reusable cups (a key component of the Gravy story). All of which is bundled in custom Hazy Gonna Set it Off carriers.

A portion of proceeds from Hazy Gonna Set it Off will go to benefit Grace Bridge, a Celina-based charitable organization providing food, clothing and other necessities to those in need. Rollertown also encourages consumers to donate directly to Grace Bridge via the organization's website at www.gracebridge.us.

Lakewood's latest IPA promises level-up big hazy experience

Image credit: Lakewood Brewing Co.

Now reaching level three of its yearlong IPA series inspired by retro gaming and the almighty hop, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has announced the release of Level3: Dungeon Escape.

Billed as a double dry-hopped imperial hazy IPA, Level3: Dungeon Escape was brewed with Denali, Citra and Cashmere Cryo hops to create a "level-up big hazy experience." According to a press release, the beer has a big, dank and fruity aroma with tropical notes of pineapple and papaya.

“We’re gearing up for the boss fight and need all our IPA points for the win!” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “This series has been so much fun and the beers keep getting bigger and bolder. Level 3 certainly delivers for the hop haze craze.”

Level3: Dungeon Escape will be available in four-packs of 12-ounce cans beginning Friday, October 2. Look for it at select retailers, or visit the Lakewood Drive-Thru to pick up beer to-go.

3 Nations launches Symbol Brewing side project

Image credit: 3 Nations Brewing Co.

A new North Texas brand is debuting this week, the concept behind it built around three little words: "Simply. Good. Beer."

From the team at 3 Nations Brewing Co. of Carrollton, Symbol Brewing Co. is an initiative designed to give head brewer Gavin Secchi the opportunity to experiment with recipes falling outside the bounds of the brewery's everyday lineup.

"Symbol Brewing is our innovative, rotating line of beers focused towards craft beer lovers," says John Royer, business manager at 3 Nations. "Our 3 Nations beer portfolio, like most local breweries, tends to be a consistent lineup of great tasting beers. Gavin is a strong brewer with a lot of recipes and we want to take advantage of this opportunity."

Regarding the "simply good beer" elements of the brand's identity, those words apply not only to what's found inside Symbol Brewing's cans, but also to how its products will be portrayed in the marketplace.

"The marketing is minimalistic and meant to be 'all about the beer,'" explains Royer. "We believe that symbols create conversation, so rather than naming beers we just wanted to create relevant symbols."

As for what consumers can expect in terms of availability, the Symbol Brewing line is intended to be a series of limited edition, one-off beers.

"We will rotate three new exciting brews created by Gavin every other month," says Royer. "This is a limited series as we just don’t have the capacity to brew larger amounts of Symbol Brewing beers.  It is just our way of having fun and keeping it fresh."

The initial run of Symbol Brewing beers is shipping now to select retailers across North Texas. Styles include Pastry Gose, Strawberry Hefeweizen and West Coast IPA. Look for them in four-packs of 16-ounce cans.

On Rotation releases Black is Beautiful to benefit Campaign Zero's #8CantWait

On Friday, July 17, On Rotation of Dallas will release its rendition of Black is Beautiful, a beer brewed in collaboration with Marcus Baskerville and Weathered Souls Brewing Co. of San Antonio.

When it was announced, the Black is Beautiful project set goals to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily, and to raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged. Upon learning about this, the team at On Rotation knew they had to join in.

“We had been thinking about the best way to contribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, and our favorite language is beer,” says Jacob Sloan, co-founder and owner of On Rotation.

Breweries participating in the initiative have taken an imperial stout recipe developed by Baskerville and Weathered Souls and added a touch of their own creativity. On Rotation made a few minor changes to the beer by adjusting the grain bill to their preferred balance and adding a significant amount of chocolate.

The beer was brewed, appropriately enough, on Juneteenth, and according to a press release it presents with "a chocolate and bready aroma and powerful cocoa flavor throughout." It's a big beer, with an ABV of 10.2%, but with the "luscious chocolate flavor and dry finish," the alcohol is said to not overwhelm the palate.

“For me, it’s a perfect chocolate cake in a glass — not sweet but chocolate through and through,” says Sloan.

Proceeds from sales of Black is Beautiful will benefit Campaign Zero, specifically the group's #8CantWait campaign. The #8CantWait initiative aims to drive eight policies proven to decrease police violence by 72 percent. Research shows the more restrictive use of force policies #8CantWait is fighting for can reduce killings by police and save lives.

Of note, On Rotation points out Dallas is only halfway there. While the city has enacted four of the eight #8CantWait policies, Dallas still has four more to go.

The city has yet to ban chokeholds and strangleholds, require a warning before shooting, establish a duty to intervene, or ban shooting at moving vehicles. Citizens can get involved and contact Dallas’ Mayor Eric Johnson about these policies at 8cantwait.org.

In the meantime, show your support for Black Lives Matter and Black is Beautiful by purchasing “chocolate cake” stout this Friday at On Rotation. The taproom will be open at noon for curbside pickup of crowlers and growlers. Customers may pre-order online at on-rotation.com/order.

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.

903 Brewers creates call to action in a can

Image credit: 903 Brewers.

During this all-important election year, it's critical for all who are eligible to get out and vote. But, don't settle for just the obligatory "I Voted" sticker after you perform your civic duty, because now there's an "I Voted" beer as well.

New from 903 Brewers of Sherman, I Voted (6.5% ABV) is a raspberry and blueberry cream ale designed to reward those casting a vote to have their voices heard. And seeing how the flavor elements of I Voted are suitably red (raspberry), white (cream ale) and blue (blueberry), as is its wrapping regalia, you might say the beer is representative of a call to action in a can.

Of course, election-themed beers aren't a new thing, but many get their names from well-known expressions or a clever play on words. Then again, some breweries just have a beer called "Election Day." The creation from 903 Brewers, however, might be the first to utilize the phrase so omnipresent on stickers emerging from your local polling place.

As for what inspired I Voted, part of it relates to brewery co-founder Jeremy Roberts' campaign for the office of Grayson County Commissioner Precinct 1. In a more general sense, though, Roberts believes we need to encourage more people to exercise their right to vote across the board.

Along those lines, I Voted won't be a one-and-done offering. While the initial run of kegs and six-packs is available now ahead of the Texas Primary on Tuesday, March 3, consumers can expect fresh batches to appear in time for subsequent elections in the future (i.e. May midterms, November general elections, etc.).

So, go vote and get your sticker, along with a new badge of honor in the form of a beer.

Lakewood releasing Star Wars-inspired Droid Rage

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland has announced the coming of a beer created in honor of the Star Wars film franchise.

Droid Rage is an imperial red ale with an ABV of 9.327%, and it represents the final installment of the brewery's 2019 Small Batch Series. Said to have a beautiful red hue, Droid Rage is described as a beer with rich caramel malt flavors balanced by some "out-of-this world hops."

“As a big nerd, I’m super excited to release a beer inspired by the movies we grew up with!” says Wim Bens, founder of Lakewood. “We have a tank at the brewery we affectionately call R2BEER2, and we prominently placed our brewery droid on the label.”

Look for Droid Rage to appear on shelves the week of December 16, with its debut set to coincide with the premier of the latest movie in the Star Wars saga, The Rise of Skywalker. The beer will be available on draft and in collectible 12-ounce cans.

Tupps to tap Cotton Candy Shandy at State Fair of Texas

Image courtesy of Tupps Brewery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texas Ale Project releasing The Caucasian in cans

Image courtesy of Texas Ale Project.

Texas Ale Project of Dallas has announced the pending release of The Caucasian in cans.

Billed as a white Russian imperial stout, The Caucasian (9.0% ABV, 75 IBU) is brewed with cold-brewed coffee, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, toasted oak and milk sugar. It had been a draft-only offering since its debut in 2015, but now this popular winter release will be available in four-packs of 12-ounce cans during the month of December.

From a press release:

"This ale is truly a labor of love and it demonstrates the brewery's passion for innovation and fine ingredients. Brent Thompson, head brewer at Texas Ale Project, looks forward each year to hand-selecting the coffee for the cold brew in partnership with Michael Wyatt, owner of Full City Rooster Coffee Roasting Studio."

A release party for the 2018 edition of The Caucasian will take place at Texas Ale Project's facility in Dallas on Friday, December 7 from 4-9 p.m. In addition to live music and food pairings provided by Cuates Kitchen, the event will feature a screening of The Big Lebowski - the movie that inspired the beer's name.

Deep Ellum bringing back Barrel-Aged Four Swords, October 26

The 2017 edition of Barrel-Aged Four Swords
Belgian Style Quad (CANarchy/Deep Ellum Brewing Co.).

Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas has announced the return of Barrel-Aged Four Swords Belgian-Style Quad, with initial deliveries expected to begin October 26.

Four Swords was originally added to Deep Ellum's portfolio in late 2013, with a barrel-aged version rolling out a year later. Past editions of Barrel-Aged Four Swords have utilized Cabernet and whiskey barrels, but Deep Ellum chose to age Four Swords in new oak barrels for this latest release.

"The charred oak compliments the roasted malts, while dark fruit esters add a layer of complexity to the beer," says Ty McDonnough, lead brewer at Deep Ellum. "Four Swords has a strong fruity aroma with a sweet oaky finish, which pairs well with rich foods such as smoked ribs and delicate desserts."

According to a press release, dried cherries and figs mingle with notes of toffee, rustic oak, marshmallow and vanilla in the finished beer, with the combination resulting in a "delicately balanced and complex specialty brew that clocks in at 10.5% ABV."

Look for Barrel-Aged Four Swords to be available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles.

Lakewood getting Jack'd up for summer

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Last summer, Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland was one of a handful of local breweries invited to collaborate with iconic whiskey-maker, Jack Daniel's. Barrels for the initiative were hand-delivered to each brewery, with Lakewood using theirs to create a pair of special brews.

“We experimented and came up with Jack’d Up Lemonale and Tennessee Temptress, paying homage to the Jack Daniel's cocktail favorites, Lynchburg Lemonade and Jack & Cola,” says Wim Bens, owner of Lakewood. “We wanted to create two amazing and unique beers for this project, so we took our flagship Temptress and put a new twist on it, and built Lemonale from the ground up.”

Described as a refreshing take on a southern favorite, Jack’d Up Lemonale is a kettle-soured wheat beer brewed with a mix of Citra and Lemondrop hops. The beer was aged for six months in the aforementioned barrels, then enhanced with an infusion of 120 pounds of freshly-squeezed Meyer lemons.

As for Tennessee Temptress, that beer is based off of Lakewood's popular imperial milk stout, The Temptress. Also aged for six months, this Temptress variety was refermented on over 500 pounds of sweet cherry puree. The added treatment is said to have provided a touch of sweetness, while also helping to round out the beer's edges.

Both offerings are draft only and available now in the brewery's taproom, with deliveries to select accounts scheduled to begin next week.

In addition, representatives from Jack Daniel's and Lakewood will be hosting a beer dinner at The Libertine Bar on Wednesday, June 27. The event will feature the two collaboration beers, as well as a selection of Jack Daniel’s top-shelf whiskeys.

Texas Ale Project wants to add your name to the next great craft beer

Image courtesy of Texas Ale Project (click to enlarge).

Looking to break new ground in the search for the next craft beer, Texas Ale Project of Dallas has announced a research and development project built on the idea that innovation can come from anywhere. The R&D Series, as it's being called, will be a rotating line of beers developed from ideas collected from both inside and outside the brewery.

“We’re encouraging our staff, our distributors, and customers alike to send in their creative ideas for future beers in this series,” says Kat Thompson, co-founder and CEO of Texas Ale Project.

The first R&D beer is Hawaiian Roadrunner (5.0% ABV, 28 IBU), a tropical blonde ale that draws inspiration from free-range chickens that roam the Hawaiian Islands. Brewed with guava, pineapple and Simcoe hops, the beer exudes a fresh tropical fruit aroma that "will sweep you away to the Hawaiian Islands for a virtual summer vacation."

Cans of Hawaiian Roadrunner will feature the signature of Texas Ale Project co-founder and brewer, Brent Thompson, but the name on the next can could be yours.

“The signature represents someone that made a major contribution to the creative development of an R&D Series beer," adds Kat. "We want this to be a fun, collaborative effort.”

Concepts for the series can be submitted via the contact page on the brewery's website. Ideas will be vetted for not just innovation, but also taste, appearance, aroma, and overall genuine quality. Selected beers will be representative of Texas Ale Project’s mission to provide high quality, great tasting craft beers that the brewery takes pride in.

As for when consumers can get their hands on Hawaiian Roadrunner, the beer will be available on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans beginning May 28. Launch events are also on the bill, with a Reveal Party set to occur Friday, June 1 from 4-9 p.m., at Texas Ale Project's facility in the Dallas Design District. Following that, the Official Release Party for Hawaiian Roadrunner will be held at Truck Yard Dallas on Friday, June 8 starting at 4 pm.