Oak & Stone opens first Texas franchise in McKinney

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

A new craft kitchen with "loaded taps" is encouraging patrons to make pour decisions, now that it's open in a recently-built retail center at 8575 W. University Dr. (U.S. 380) in McKinney.

First founded in 2015, Oak & Stone is a Florida-based concept under the Artistry Restaurants banner featuring a self-pour tapwall experience. As of now, the company has eight locations in Florida, with McKinney being the first one established in Texas. It won't be the last, though, since another locale is set to open later this year in Addison.

A sign declaring that "Beer Tastes Better in McKinney" is the first thing you'll notice when entering the new North Texas spot, which consists of around 6,000 square feet. Seating options are split between the indoor public space, and a covered patio section outdoors.

On the consumables, the food menu at Oak & Stone has an elevated pub grub feel (apps, wings, pizzas, burgers/handhelds, salads), but the centerpiece of the place is certainly the self-pour tapwall. And it's not all about barley and hops, as upwards of 50 rotating handles pour beer, wine, cocktails and spirits (tequila, whiskey), as well as non-alcoholic options including root beer, soda, lemonade and more.

Roughly half of the taps are devoted to craft beer, with products primarily sourced from local breweries. Current selections hail from 3 Nations, Armor, Community, Lakewood, Manhattan Project, Martin House, Peticolas, Rollertown, Texas Ale Project, Three Wide and Tupps.

The closest thing to a macro on tap was a beer from Golden Road, with others beers like Lone Star and Shiner available in cans behind the bar.

As for pricing, most draft pours run $0.50 - $0.60 per ounce, with dark beers (porter, stout) and a fruited sour being higher-priced outliers. Beers may be poured into a provided pint glass, snifter, or a collection of sample glasses, with flight boards available to transport the latter.

Oak & Stone - McKinney serves patrons daily, with hours beginning at 11 a.m. from Monday-Friday, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Voodoo opens fifth North Texas franchise in Prosper

Moody murals and Korean Chicken Tacos at Voodoo Brewing Co. - Frontier (Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania has made its fifth foray into the North Texas market, now that the company's newest franchise is open in Prosper.

Owned by the husband-and-wife team of Shiva and Aman Kaur-Moonsammy, with along partner Paul Han, the new spot has been dubbed Voodoo Brewing Co. - Frontier. The name adopts that of its locale on 1440 W. Frontier Parkway, which by the way aligns exactly with the border separating the cities of Prosper and Celina.

Of course, by now readers should have the Voodoo drill down pat. That is, how the parent company provides the Voodoo taproom/restaurant blueprint, leaving local owners to fill in the details with regards to decor and/or specialty food items.

At Voodoo - Frontier, the decor differs from its North Texas predecessors in that it centers on a decidedly darker color palette, with black-painted walls surrounding dark wood furniture and fixtures. It's a more striking look, and one which likely lends itself to a more intimate atmosphere come evening time.

On that note, in addition to bar, table and community seating, Voodoo - Frontier offers a cozy, cocktail seating arrangement by way of a row of low-rise tables and chairs, the latter with seatbacks fashioned in the shape of a spirit barrel. Those all set up on the inside, while an array of picnic tables inhabits a small patio out front.

As for the food and drink, dining selections unique to Voodoo - Frontier don't fall into any one set category, with Cajun and Korean influences mixing with Texas-inspired fare. Examples include the Cajun Shrimp Pasta, Korean Fried Chicken (the taco option gets high marks), Beer Braised Texas Short Ribs and more.

Then for beverages, Voodoo - Frontier has a tapwall featuring 30 draft beers. Roughly a third of those are devoted to Voodoo recipes, with the rest allotted to local and national craft offerings (i.e. neighboring breweries like Armor, Rollertown, Tupps and Union Bear). Though, if you simply must drink a macro, smaller print on the menu instructs you to ask a beertender to raid the bar's hidden stash.

Beyond the beer, there's also a full bar serving wine, cocktails and spiked "Frozens" for those indulging, with coffee, tea, sodas, lemonade and mocktails available for those who are not.

Voodoo Brewing Co. - Frontier welcomes customers seven days a week, with daily hours beginning at 11 a.m.

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For info on other Voodoo Brewing Co. franchises in North Texas (past and present), click the appropriate link: Grand Prairie (re-branded), Plano, Fort Worth (closed), Lewisville/Castle Hills.

Voodoo Brewing now holding court in Castle Hills

Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

The latest in a series of Voodoo-branded franchise taprooms to land in North Texas, Voodoo Brewing Co. - Castle Hills is now open at 4400 State Hwy 121 in Lewisville.

Owned by Manal and Fahad Keen, the new Voodoo placement has set up shop in a 4,346 square foot space as part of the mixed-use development, The Realm at Castle Hills. It's the fourth foray into the Metroplex for the Pennsylvania-based parent company, following previous ventures debuting in Grand Prairie, Plano and Fort Worth*.

And naturally, there are similarities and differences when comparing Voodoo Castle Hills to its area predecessors. Readers may recall that every franchise begins with a blueprint providing access to Voodoo's culinary recipes and its line of hand-crafted beers. Individual owners then infuse a bit of their own personality into the place, either by way of the decor or by adding unique items to the menu.

In the case of Voodoo Castle Hills, differences start with the interior design. Rather than having a bar & grill or downtown pub-like feel, Voodoo Castle Hills almost comes across as a small event venue, with a very open, single-room setup where the tables are spread out and surrounded by wide-screen televisions.

Then on the food service side of things, visitors are met with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Along with selections from Voodoo's standard range of burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and more are options like the Med Zeppelin Burger, the Puffy Pita Smash Salad, the Groovin' Gyro, the Meat-iterranean Pizza (with Turkish sausage) and the Gyro Hero Bowl.

As for similarities, of course there's the beer. From a 24-handle tapwall, year-round and seasonal offerings from Voodoo pour alongside a smattering of guest beers sourced from a variety of Texas breweries. The house-to-guest beer ratio is likely to vary over time, but at least for now recipes from the Lone Star State hold a slight advantage.

Wine, cocktails, mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages (sodas, tea, lemonade, Liquid Death Mountain Water) round out the liquid lineup, which leaves just one important amenity to mention.

Off to one side, a throne scene flanked by golden crowns has been fashioned for photo-ops...you know...for those looking to declare themselves king of Castle Hills.

Voodoo Castle Hills is open seven days a week, with daily hours beginning at 11 a.m.

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* The Fort Worth pub closed in November, while Grand Prairie is re-branding as an independent entity. Voodoo Plano continues to operate, with another project, Voodoo Brewing Co. - Frontier, currently under construction in Prosper.

Civil Pour raises a Ruckus in Richardson

Images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Six years after introducing the concept off Walnut Hill Ln. in Dallas, owners Chad and Nellie Montgomery (also of Big Texas Beer Fest) have brought their "Coffee & Beer Ruckus" to the City of Richardson.

The newly-minted second location of Civil Pour Coffee + Beer is now open at 800 N. Coit Rd. in the city's Promenade North retail development. Set up in a 3,000 square foot space, the new spot very much has the look and feel of the original, with light-letting windows upfront, similar stylings filling the room, and a captivating art mural anchoring one wall.

On that last note, the "Peace Goddess" mural was created by Nellie (her first!), and the work is aptly named given the calm and welcoming air about it, as the goddess seems to be inviting guests to settle in with a cup of restorative liquid.

Of course, the liquids in this case could be coffee, or tea, or beer. Menu options in Richardson basically mirror those of the Dallas locale, in terms of both eats and drinks. There are lattes, espresso shots, pour over coffees, and 25 taps of beer for the discerning sipper, with the shop's familiar selection of pastries and paninis on hand for the hungry.

As for the vibe, if an early-week noontime visit is any indication, the goddess will hold court over an atmosphere promising to be - what else? - civil. Other than some quiet conversation, which at times might include elements of academic discourse thanks to UTD students from just down the way, there's nothing to distract from the enjoyment of a leisurely lunch, a quiet cup of joe, or a thought-provoking pint of locally-crafted beer.

Really then, what Civil Pour Richardson represents is a simple extension of the brand, and one which brings the Ruckus more within reach to residents living north of the I-635 "wall."

And, like it's Dallas brethren, Civil Pour Richardson has the makings of a morning, noon and nighttime destination based on its array of in-house offerings. So, along those lines, the shop operates seven days a week, with hours starting at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Voodoo Brewing opens third NTX franchise in Fort Worth

Food and drink offerings at Voodoo - Fort Worth include Key Lime Kölsch and the pub's Not a Philly Cheesesteak (© Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania continues to add to its presence in Texas, this time with the recent opening of its latest franchise taproom in Fort Worth. It's the third Voodoo locale in North Texas and the fourth overall in the Lone Star State, following previous debuts in Grand Prairie, Katy and Plano.

Locally-owned by David Goldblatt, a recently retired veteran, Voodoo - Fort Worth occupies the ground floor of a building at 1001 S. Main St. in the Near Southside neighborhood of the city. This sets up on the still-developing southern border of South Main Village, placing it down a few blocks from where other popular bars and restaurants do business in the area.

Of course, by now we've covered the fundamentals of how Voodoo does its thing. The home office provides house beers and baseline food selections, while allowing local owners the freedom to add personal touches to the menu or decor. In this case, it being Cowtown, the obvious aesthetic addition is the set of longhorns on the Voodoo logo.

As for how it compares to its brethren in Plano and Grand Prairie, Voodoo - Fort Worth is most similar to Plano in terms of having a downtown neighborhood pub vibe. Beyond that, the food menu is a bit more streamlined in Fort Worth (with apps, greens, handhelds, signature pizzas and wings), and guest taps play a bigger role in the everyday beer lineup.

On that note, Voodoo - Fort Worth pours beer from 26 taps (three of which are nitro), with half of those allotted to company standards, seasonals and spontaneous releases. Examples of each currently on tap include Lacto Kooler Berliner Weisse, Key Lime Kölsch and White Magick of the Sun Belgian Wheat, respectively.

Then on remaining handles, Voodoo - Fort Worth offers a range of local and regional products from the likes of Panther Island Brewing of Fort Worth, Manhattan Project Beer Co. of Dallas, Real Ale Brewing Co of Blanco, Altstadt Brewery of Fredericksburg and others.

From there, those preferring other types of beverages will find hard seltzers, craft cocktails, Liquid Death Mountain Waters (and "Death Mixers"), mocktails, soda and apple juice as options rounding out the drink menu.

Voodoo - Fort Worth serves patrons seven days a week, with operating hours beginning at 3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. from Wednesday through Sunday. They also have packaged beers if you're looking to grab beer to go.

Voodoo Brewing adds second NTX spot in Plano

The menu at Voodoo Brewing Co. - Plano features beers like Wynona's Big Brown Ale (a "spontaneous" release),
and Cajun-inspired food items like the Bayou Salad with Blackened Chicken ( all images © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania has debuted its second franchise taproom in North Texas, this time in the heart of Historic Downtown Plano.

Located at 1001 14th St., Voodoo Plano is owned and operated by Jennifer and Jeremy Dartez. The brewpub sets up in a 3,900 square foot spot on the ground floor of Morado Plano, a five-story development described as an "ultra-modern" apartment community.

Given the locale and how the space was designed, it's obvious upon entry a different sort of vibe is in order at Voodoo Plano compared to its area predecessor which opened in May of 2023, Voodoo Grand Prairie. The latter, anchoring one end of a retail center, has a suburban bar and grill-type feel, while Voodoo Plano has more of a neighborhood pub quality.

Different yes, but it's all part of how Voodoo partnerships work. Not only do franchisees have the freedom to make design decisions which give each brewpub its own unique personality, they can also add a bit of personal flavor choice to the food offerings.

Along those lines, Voodoo Plano takes a cue from the fact that its name is synonymous with New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. As such, the menu has a Cajun flair with items like po'boys, beignets and boudin balls being notable additions to the parent company's base menu of burgers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and more.

As for the beer, the bulk of the lineup consists of house beers brought in from The Keystone State, with year-round recipes like Good Vibes West Coast IPA and Voodoo Love Child Belgian Tripel supplemented with both seasonal and spontaneous releases (one of which, Wynona's Big Brown Ale gets high marks). You'll find a little bit of Bayou State influence here as well, with guest selections from Abita Brewing Co. of Covington, Louisiana.

Other beverages include Voodoo's Elxr hard seltzers, wines, spirits, hand-crafted cocktails, and a bevy of non-alcoholic options like root beer, sodas, and a Nitro Crème Brûlée Coffee drink courtesy of The Thirsty Growler in The Colony.

Voodoo Brewing Co. - Plano held its grand opening today, but going forward the brewpub will serve patrons seven days a week, with hours starting at 11 a.m.

Voodoo Brewing brings Pennsylvania pours to Grand Prairie

Tranquil Breezes, a West Coast-style pale ale, is one of over 20 beers on tap at Voodoo Grand Prairie (all photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Voodoo Brewing Co. of Pennsylvania announced its intent to enter the North Texas market a mere two months ago, which makes you wonder if they've got some kind of mystical magic at work, considering the brewery's first satellite taproom is already open at 1015 Ikea Pl. in Grand Prairie.

Plans for Voodoo Grand Prairie were first revealed here in late March. Since then, it's been reported that additional Voodoo locations may follow, with the cities of Fort Worth, Plano, Prosper and beyond on the company's radar.

As for Voodoo's debut in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the Grand Prairie locale is independently owned and operated by local franchisee, Roland Rios. He's overseeing a spot occupying just under 4,000 square feet in a retail development across the street from the city's Ikea furniture store.

Inside, patrons looking to take a shopping break, or perhaps seeking to soothe the stress of an afternoon assembling modular furniture, can expect to be met with a rather comprehensive menu of consumables.

Left: Chicky Chicky Bang Bang, a tikka masala fried chicken sandwich, is one of several "handies" served on a craft beer bun.
Right: A variety of Voodoo beers are available to go in cans. Select barrel-aged bombers are on sale as well.

On the food side, options begin with appetizers, burgers, pizza, wings, salads and sandwiches (or "handies"). Then there are a number of items featuring beer infusions, whether it be the beer cheese mac, beer cheese queso, beer mussels, or one of the aforementioned sandwiches served on a craft beer bun.

And speaking of beer, Voodoo brought its full portfolio to bear when stocking the Grand Prairie taproom. Twenty-four taps pour beer shipped from the company's production facility in Pennsylvania. Among the options are German styles (Berliner weisse, kölsch), Belgian classics (tripel, witbier), pale ales, IPAs, a "robust" brown ale, stouts, standard lagers and more.

More, incidentally, covers two barrel-aged beers on tap, an imperial stout called Where Our Secrets Go and a tripel named Voodoo Love Child. Both are sold in 22-ounce bombers as well, anchoring an extensive to-go selection featuring ten or more Voodoo varieties in cans.

Beyond all that, hard seltzers, hand-crafted cocktails and wine round out the boozy beverage offerings, with sodas, juices and root beer on hand as non-alcoholic alternatives. You can even buy a complimentary round of drinks for the kitchen, if you're so inclined.

Voodoo Grand Prairie is open seven days a week, with operating hours beginning at 11 a.m.

Voodoo Brewing to open first franchise in Texas

Image credit: Voodoo Brewing Co.

Building on an expansion plan that began with opening of its first taproom in 2012, Pennsylvania-based Voodoo Brewing Co. has formed a partnership to bring its brand of craft beer to North Texas.

Now under construction at 1015 Ikea Pl. in Grand Prairie, the local outlet will be owned and operated by Roland Rios, a longtime resident who has spent nearly 30 years in the paper manufacturing business. Rios has been wanting to open a pub for a few years, but rather than start from scratch in a new industry, he researched franchising opportunities and eventually landed on Voodoo.

"I came across Voodoo early last year," says Rios. "I immediately fell in love with their concept. My wife Nancy and I traveled to Pennsylvania to sample their beer and there was no turning back after that."

On how the partnership is structured, Voodoo recipes are produced in a 30,000 square foot production facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Finished beers are then distributed to each brewpub's satellite location. The company also provides guidance on other food and beverage aspects, but site-specific décor is mostly left to the locals.

"In addition to their crafted brews and their custom-crafted cocktails, they have a delicious [elevated pub] menu," says Rios. "I really like that they have a non-corporate culture and that their franchisees can have a lot of input on their individual pubs."

As the brewpub's address suggests, Voodoo Grand Prairie will operate in the shadow of an Ikea furniture store. The spot also has proximity to the city's EpicCentral entertainment district, placing it firmly in the midst of what promises to be a high-traffic hub.

"Grand Prairie has seen tremendous growth over just a couple of years," says Rios. "We wanted the first Voodoo Brewing Co. in Texas to be surrounded by equally great businesses. We found that spot right across the street from Ikea. In addition, they are building a Bass Pro Shop, Andretti Indoor Karting, and Shots Golf just walking distance from our pub. We couldn’t have found a better place."

Rios is hoping to complete construction by mid-April, with a grand opening to follow shortly thereafter. 

For more on Voodoo Brewing Co. and its products, visit voodoobrewery.com. You can also stay up-to-date with goings on at Voodoo Grand Prairie by following the brewpub on Facebook and Instagram.

Tap takeovers go next level at The 2nd Tap

Think of The 2nd Tap as a pop-up shop for your
local brewery (Photo: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

A concept looking to push tap takeovers to the next level has taken root at the Dallas Farmers Market (DFM), as The 2nd Tap is now open and serving craft sodas as it awaits a permit to sell beer from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).

The brainchild of David Herrera and Charles Nelson, The 2nd Tap has slotted into the DFM booth formerly occupied by now-closed Noble Rey Brewing Co. of Dallas. And, while there will be cosmetic changes to the bar area the brewery used as a satellite taproom, its original function will remain the same - only different.

"While trying to decide what we wanted to do with the space, we thought it would be cool to continue what Noble Rey was doing," says Nelson. "We liked the idea of using the spot as a secondary taproom, but instead of having it be for just one brewery, we wanted to rotate it."

Thus, the idea of a "taproom takeover" was born. The setup: one brewery, eight taps, and a three-week residency. Then, literally, rinse and repeat.

In terms of motivation, establishing The 2nd Tap allows the partners to support the local brewing industry beyond work both are doing as part of Herrera's draft maintenance venture, Texas Draft Services (TDS).

"When cleaning lines as part of TDS we're helping breweries behind the scenes," explains Herrera. "But, we wanted to get out front and do more by showcasing breweries and helping them build their brands. Especially now with so many out there, some don't have the capital to go out and do a ton of marketing."

As for how they'll go about implementing their plan, Herrera and Nelson want to celebrate all facets of the breweries they'll feature. That goes for the beers in a company's portfolio, as well as the brand image a brewery seeks to convey.

"We want to work with the personality of a brewery," says Herrera. "We feel like we can bring attention to a brand by coming up with fun events where people are engaged and they develop an emotional tie to the beer. If that happens, it creates a following for the brewery."

Events could involve showing a scientific exhibit while a space-themed brewery is on tap, or setting up a mechanical bull while working with a brewery from Fort Worth. Anything goes, especially if it means getting away from the standard pint night. The goal is to identify what constitutes the norm in terms of industry events and to then do the opposite.

"Another big thing is how the name of the game now is what's new or what's limited with regard to beer," adds Nelson. "That sometimes makes it hard to find a brewery's core beers on tap. There's this idea that it's easier to sell new beers, so core beers don't get a lot of rotation. By tapping both core and seasonal beers, we get the added benefit of reminding customers about beers they may have forgotten."

Ultimately, though, The 2nd Tap is about putting an ounce or 16 of enjoyment back into the beer scene.

"We're just two guys trying to have a good time in this industry, like anyone else," says Herrera. "We want to make beer fun again, so you can expect silly and quirky events from us (think back-to-school parties were milk stouts are served in mini milk cartons). We'll play some good music and we'll drink some good beer, all while giving back to our local breweries."

Or taken another way, they're getting back to the whole idea of craft beer and community.

The ruckus is ready: Civil Pour set to start service in Dallas

Coffee and beer come together at Civil Pour (Photo: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

A ruckus is about to be raised, as the specialty coffee shop/craft beer bar known as Civil Pour prepares to open this week in North Dallas at 8061 Walnut Hill Ln.

Conceived by Chad and Nellie Montgomery, Civil Pour is the latest venture for a couple most well-known for its work with Big Texas Beer Fest. Billed as "a coffee and beer ruckus," the idea behind the new place is rooted in a play off of the Civil War, where North and South combatants are replaced by coffee and beer. At issue, it seems, is an argument over what makes for a better beverage.

To that end, options for coffee lovers at Civil Pour include the signature drip (served by way of the Commuter Cup), shots of espresso and cold-brewed coffee, while beer fanatics can pick from 30 taps containing only the finest in draft-only selections produced by local and national breweries.

With multiple windows and two see-through garage doors, Civil Pour's front elevation serves
as a virtual picture window to the outside world (Photos: © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

So, which is your beverage of choice? Take sides if you must, but who's to say you can't alter your allegiance over the course of a day. Why not grab some coffee on the way to work, and then a beer on the way home? Or vice versa, I suppose, if you're the type that enjoys beer for breakfast.

Regardless of whether you stop in to kick-start the day, or unwind after a long one, Civil Pour's carefully-curated selections will be delivered to you within the confines of a bright and welcoming atmosphere. You can even add a pastry pairing to round out a morning snack, or a panini sandwich to make it a meal.

Either way, Civil Pour seeks to satisfy all coffee and beer cravings by offering the best of both under one roof. Think of it as a way to ease potential hostilities. Order what you like at Civil Pour...and raise a drink to detente.

The Thirsty Growler coming to The Colony

Image courtesy of The Thirsty Growler.

Given the uptick in growth currently going on in The Colony, it was probably only a matter of time before a few craft beer-related businesses looked to establish a presence in the Denton County community. At least two such entities, in Drunken Donkey and Rock & Brews, are already up and running, with a third on the way in the form of The Thirsty Growler.

Mike and Andrea Gillum are the husband-and-wife team behind The Thirsty Growler, which looks to become the first business to offer craft beer to go in the city. The taproom and growler station is being built as part of a retail center at 5733 State Highway 121, which puts it opposite Nebraska Furniture Mart and the ongoing Grandscape development. It's a spot with easy access that should provide ample visibility based on the high volume of traffic expected in the vicinity.

Choosing The Colony for the couple's new venture came down to a couple of key factors. One was the fact they have friends and family in the area, while another was the aforementioned climate of growth.

"My wife and I were drawn to The Colony due to the recent influx of new businesses that are moving into the area," Gillum said. "We see an unbelievable opportunity to serve not only craft beer drinkers from The Colony, Frisco, Plano and the surrounding areas, but to also provide an experience for others to learn what good beer is all about. I've had a passion for craft beer that has grown tremendously over the years, and my wife is no different. Our goal is to help others discover that passion as well."

The Thirsty Growler will occupy a little over 2200 square feet in a space Gillum describes as "cozy, but not cramped." Plans call for table, bar and booth seating, with added conveniences like USB plug-ins and Wi-Fi access. Gillum also intends to install a television or two for those wanting to watch a ball game, but he's quick to point out that he doesn't want The Thirsty Growler be seen as a sports bar. "Think of it as a mix between a coffee shop and taproom kind of place. We wanted to make sure there was enough room for people to stay and try out different beers in a cool and comfortable environment before deciding which beers they want to take to go. We'll even be dog-friendly, as long as your dog is friendly too."

As for how the taplist will be structured, craft beer, cider, kombucha and non-alcoholic root beer will be stocked to start, with other beverages added as demand dictates. Among the planned 50 taps, Gillum says the hope is to try and strike a balance across the board. "We want to serve the best of what there is locally, while also bringing in the national brands that everyone knows and enjoys. In regards to styles, we look forward to serving every style that we can get into the cooler."

Gillum suggests, though, that the ultimate approach will come down to how they connect with customers.

"We look forward to building relationships with the people that frequent our store. We've studied the reviews of places that paved the way for us, and we hope to adopt things that have proved successful, while improving on things that haven't according to the wishes of the craft beer community."

Based on the current state of construction, Gillum foresees The Thirsty Growler opening sometime in mid-to-late April. Once that happens, events like pint nights and tap takeovers will be a regular occurrence, as will the hosting of food trucks, either as a meal option for patrons or as part of on-site food pairings.


The Thirsty Growler
5733 State Highway 121 - Suite 230
The Colony

Pouring Glory to fill more than growlers in Fort Worth

Image credit: Pouring Glory.

With dedicated growler fill stations popping up here and there on the eastern side of the Metroplex, it was just a matter of time before one got started out west. Though, in this case, Fort Worth's new Pouring Glory will bring something else to the table besides just beer. We're talking food for hungry patrons prepared by chefs in an onsite kitchen, making the concept the first to add elements of a quick-service restaurant to a growler shop offering beer-to-go.

Pouring Glory's ownership group consists of Kevin and Julia von Ehrenfried, along with Scott and JoAnn Glover. The two men each bring well over 25 years of food industry experience to the project, and they are both chefs in their own right. Von Ehrenfried began his career in 1986 and has spent the last nine years as Director of Operations for Humperdinks, while Glover got his start roughly a decade sooner, eventually going on to oversee the West Coast expansion of the Dallas-based Chili's restaurant chain during the mid-1980s.

As for their new venture, Pouring Glory will be located at 1001 Bryan Avenue in the Near Southside neighborhood of Fort Worth. The spot is a mere four blocks away from Rahr & Sons and less than a mile from the Collective Brewing Project and soon-to-be HopFusion Ale Works. Commenting on the site selection, von Ehrenfried indicated that the choice had as much to do with being close to local breweries as it did "being able to be a big part of the revitalization of the area."

The structure that exists on the site was originally built in 1943, though it was most recently home to a nightclub. Once renovations are complete, the building "will have an industrial motif consisting of exposed brick, gears, gauges and pipes," or the look of "Steam Punk," according to von Ehrenfried. The 2100 square foot space will house a bar serving fresh craft beer and wine, for on or off-premise consumption, as well as a display kitchen cooking up house-smoked barbecue, gastro pub-style fare and daily chef specials.

Naturally, given the culinary aspect of the business, they'll hold the occasional beer and food pairing, but as far as onsite gatherings go, von Ehrenfried says they'll strive to become an integral part of the Fort Worth community by hosting events for charity as well. In addition, they hope to get out and meet neighbors, if you will, by offering catering services for offsite functions nearby.

Regarding beer selection, upwards of 50 beers will be on tap at any given time, and while Pouring Glory will highlight local breweries whenever possible, their focus will be on trying to stock the best beers available, whether they be from North Texas or other parts of the country. "Southside Fort Worth is quickly becoming a hub for craft beer," notes von Ehrenfried, and the excitement it generates is something he and his partners want to be a part of.

Overall, those behind Pouring Glory hope that they've developed something that will be well-received by craft beer consumers. They recognize that growlers are a growing trend, but they believe the addition of food service will help to set them apart from the rest. In the end, it's all about creating "the perfect concept to deliver great craft beer and food to the community in a fun and casual atmosphere."

Currently, construction is still ongoing, so there's still a bit of work to do before they can open. Until they do, stay up-to-date on Pouring Glory's progress by way of updates to their Facebook page as they target a late August or early September debut.


Pouring Glory
1001 Bryan Avenue
Fort Worth

Brass Tap begins construction in Allen

Images the property of Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

Arriving in Texas by way of Chicago, brothers Sid and Viral Patel first got involved in the local industry after opening Choice Beverage in McKinney during the summer of 2010. Now, nearly five years later, the pair's reputation for service and selection has made their retail location the go-to small business bottle shop for craft beer drinkers in McKinney and the immediately surrounding area.

Looking to build on that success, the brothers joined forces with The Brass Tap in late 2014 for the purpose of opening a franchise of the company in Allen. The Florida-based group currently operates bars in Round Rock and Fort Worth, with others being built in San Antonio and Tyler, and still another rumored to be in the works for Frisco. Partnering with them just felt like the right fit, the brothers say, especially since The Brass Tap has processes in place that make it easier to get started, with training and support programs to help along the way.

As for the Allen location, construction has begun on a 3200 square foot space at 2540 N. Watters Road, a spot situated on the southeast corner of where that street intersects the Sam Rayburn Tollway. Part of the Ridgeview Village retail development, The Brass Tap will take up an endcap of one the brick and stucco buildings that sit in the shadow of the city's Cinemark Theatre.

The Allen pub will be The Brass Tap's second North Texas location.

It's the next logical step for both the Patels and the local market, given that they already have a well-established customer base and they're looking to operate in a part of town that is somewhat under-served when it comes to the craft beer community. The brothers hope to bring this particular section of suburbia a well-rounded overall experience, complete with great food, great beer and a great atmosphere.

Once open, they'll stock upwards of 200 packaged selections (i.e. bottles and cans) and pour beer from 80 taps, with a little less than half of their draft wall being reserved for local brews. Regular pint nights are also in the plans, as are the occasional beer dinner featuring entrées prepared inside the pub's full kitchen. They'll have a full bar as well, but based on the Brass Tap logo alone it's clear the intent is for the new place to primarily focus on craft beer.

Taking into account completion of build-out and the always unpredictable permit process, current timelines suggest that a grand opening will happen sometime in late July. When it does, the brothers promise to have a few surprises in store, as they've already been working to stockpile a few special beers to help celebrate the occasion.


The Brass Tap 
2540 N. Watters Road, Suite 180
Allen

World of Beer celebrates Grand Opening in Plano, March 30

Image credit: World of Beer

Making it the fourth such franchise in North Texas, and the second to debut this year, World of Beer Plano is set to officially open on Monday, March 30, at their 1941 Preston Road location in the Preston Shepherd Place retail development.

Joining in the Grand Opening celebration will be Real Ale brewmaster Eric Ogershok, as he and the area's newest WOB tap an exclusive firkin of the brewery's Dry-Hopped Porter. Commenting on the planned event, WOB-Plano general manager Barry O'Brien said, "We'd like to thank Real Ale Brewing...for being a part of opening day. This event is just the first of many that we believe will provide our avid beer explorers with something unique they won't find anywhere else. We look forward to getting to know our neighbors in the Plano community and discovering together the nuanced styles and rich stories that make craft beers [in Texas] so special."

In addition to the above, the following activities are also planned for opening week:


Sunday, March 29, 11 a.m.: "Support Local, Drink Local" soft opening featuring live music and pours of Franconia Irish Red to be tapped from one the brewery's wooden kegs by brewmaster Cam Horn. Net proceeds from the evening will benefit the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), a nonprofit group working to fund research and education for this debilitating neuromuscular disorder.


Tuesday, March 31, 5-8 p.m.: Loyalist Night featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony and a special tapping of Deep Ellum Neato Bandito Lager with Citra and Mosaic hops.


Wednesday, April 1, 6-9 p.m.: Brewery Night featuring Lakewood Brewing Company, with glassware while supplies last. Scheduled to be tapped: Hopochondria Session IPA and Bokkenridjers.


WOB-Plano will be open from 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit http://worldofbeer.com/locations/Plano.

World of Beer targets March opening for new tavern in Ft. Worth

Image Credit: World of Beer

Although the word has been out since early November, when a Facebook page was created for World of Beer - Ft. Worth, today World of Beer Franchising, Inc. (WOB) officially announced it will open its sixth tavern in the State of Texas.

To be located at 3252 W. 7th Street in Fort Worth's Cultural District, the "4,650 square-foot tavern with a 1,000 square-foot outdoor patio will feature the franchise's archetype design, providing guests with a warm and inviting interior complemented with modern, sleek touches." Employing around 75 people, the new spot will follow other North Texas locations in Dallas and Arlington in promising patrons over 500 bottles and 50 rotating taps of the "best in local and international beers."

Philip Taylor, WOB - Ft. Worth general manager, says "Our goal is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind World of Beer experience they won't find anywhere else. Whether you're a passionate beer lover or simply looking for a friendly place to gather for great casual food or drink, we hope to see you here."

Echoing a part of that last statement, WOB CEO Paul Avery added "At World of beer, we truly believe there is a friend on every barstool. We are pleased to be a growing part of Texas' passionate craft beer community...and we look forward to sharing the craft brews and their stories with our guests who may be inspired to discover something new."

WOB - Ft. Worth is on track for a grand opening sometime in March, with plans to operate from 11 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. The pub will serve lunch and dinner daily, and on Sundays will over a unique BEERunch menu.