Temple a town with Czech lagers you can count on

A number of Czech lagers are available at Tanglefoot Brewing
in Temple (Photo © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D).

Czech lagers date back hundreds of years, but lately it seems like they've been trending locally. Considering there are nearly 200,000 Czech-Americans living in Texas (according to Wikipedia, the largest number in any state), it's a little surprising the country's brewing traditions have yet to enjoy a greater presence beyond Bohemian pilsners.

Well, if Andy Martinec has anything to say about it, these types of beers will gain more of a foothold in the future. In the spring of 2021, Martinec chose to use his own Czech heritage as an inspiration for opening Tanglefoot Brewing in Temple.

Now, foothold was a purposeful choice of words. Temple, you see, was called Tanglefoot during a period when saloons were abundant in the late 1800s. The name derives from a scene described on the "City of Temple" historical marker where "the combination of muddy streets and liquor made walking rather difficult at times."

Nowadays, though, Tanglefoot represents a brand of clean, crisp and easy-drinking Czech lagers emerging from a somewhat unassuming little spot nestled in a Temple neighborhood.

On recent visits, four Tanglefoot beers identified by strength in degrees Plato (or Balling) have been pouring in the taproom. Recipes have ranged from Czech pale lagers (in 10° and 12° strength), to a 13° Tmavé dark lager, and a 14° Czech amber lager.

My personal favorite has been the lightest offering, 10°, a beer whose flavor profile epitomizes the idea of beer being a glass of liquid bread. Up to now, it and other Tanglefoot products have been exclusive to the brewery, either on tap or in six-packs of cans to go. That said, any homebrewers wanting to take a stab at 10° can find a scaled-down recipe on Tanglefoot's website.

As for potential distribution, Tanglefoot did roll out its first keg to an outside account earlier this month, but that locale was in Temple as well. What that means is, beer drinkers seeking something a bit more stylistic and straightforward might want to contemplate a stop in Temple for Czech beers, before a "Stop" for Czech pastries, the next time they find themselves riding north through Central Texas.

Cowtown closing Southlake satellite

Image credit: Cowtown Brewing Co.

Cowtown Brewing Co. of Fort Worth has announced the pending closure of its satellite taproom in Southlake.

Debuting in December 2021, the Southlake locale was set up in a former location of The Ginger Man Pub. Essentially move-in ready, the spot featured Cowtown beers paired with a modified menu compared to the original brewpub in Fort Worth. Beer production, incidentally, did not take place at Southlake, remaining the provenance of Fort Worth exclusively.

As for the future, the Fort Worth brewpub will continue to operate as usual, and there are also rumblings another Cowtown development may be in the works elsewhere in Tarrant County.

For now, though, the last day of operations at Southlake will be Saturday, June 24.

Flix Brewhouse earns honor at 2023 NABA International Beer and Cider Awards

Image credit: Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm.

Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm has been awarded a medal for one of its creations at the 2023 NABA International Beer and Cider Awards.

Now in its 26th year, the International Beer and Cider Awards are sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association. For 2023, the competition took place alongside the Mountain Brewers Beer Fest in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with the combined festivities being the culmination of Idaho Beer Week.

Entries to the event were broken down into over 100 different categories covering beer, cider, seltzer, non-alcoholic beers and other hard beverages as stipulated by the 2023 North American Brewers Association Style Guide.

As for Flix Brewhouse/Little Elm, the brewpub/cinema was honored for Get Smoked, a German-style rauchbier featuring Beechwood-smoked pilsner malt.

Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm

• Bronze for Get Smoked in the German-Style Rauchbier category.
  

Cheers and congratulations to Flix Brewhouse Frisco/Little Elm!

Food Experience Corporation closes kitchen in Aubrey

Image credit: Food Experience Corporation.

Food Experience Corporation, a commercial kitchen and catering outfit, has closed its doors in Aubrey.

Established in April 2021 by Chef Angie Graffigna, Food Experience Corporation catered to the craft beer crowd by offering hands-on brewing classes. All the necessary equipment and ingredients were included in the price of these sessions, which came with an all-important added benefit. Since the company was licensed as a brewpub, participants were allowed to take home their creations once fermentation and packaging was completed.

As for what led to the decision to cease operations, a social media post cited rising costs and staffing issues as contributing factors.