Headed to Choctaw or Winstar? Breweries on the way

    Legalized gambling may soon be coming to Texas in the next few years. Until then, Texans have to travel to either Oklahoma or Louisiana to fill their gambling void. Whether you’re going up 35 to Winstar or up 75 to Choctaw, here are a few breweries that you could hit up on the way that you might not have known about.  

Krootz Brewing Company - Gainesville, TX

Chad Sykora opened Krootz in 2018 in downtown Gainesville. They brew traditional and experimental ales and lagers and also have a full scratch kitchen. They offer burgers, sandwiches and full entrees too. Their chicken fried steak is well-liked by the locals. With beer names like “Lake Trash” and “Badass Rockin”, Krootz would be a fun place to stop on your way up to Winstar on I-35.  https://www.krootzbrewingcompany.com/ 

Cellarman’s Pub & Brewery - Sherman, TX

Most everyone is familiar with the great beers (and food) that 903 Brewers puts out, but you may not know that there’s another brewery in Sherman. Cellarman’s has the English-style pub feel both inside and outside. They opened in 1998 but didn’t pour their first house brewed until 2018. Serving the typical pub fare like wings, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.  Their fish and chips is their #1 seller as it is battered in their cream ale.  Don’t overlook their old fashioned root beer float brewed with their own house made root beer. I really enjoyed their “Juicy Pig” New England IPA. https://www.cellarmanspub.com/

Say When Brewing - Denison, TX

 Say When opened their taproom in late 2022 in historic downtown Denison. They feature about 9 taps with some experimental rotators too. I enjoyed their “Texas Penny Copper” amber ale and the “Local Motive IPA”. They offer pizzas, pastas and subs that are worthy of your appetite. https://www.saywhenbrewing.com/

Lost Street Brewing - Durant, OK

When you need a break from the black jack tables and slot machines at Choctaw, Lost Street is about a 10 minute drive northeast in downtown Durant.  Lost Street boasts 15 taps and their own root beer so you should be able to find something likeable with that many taps. They recently opened a kitchen on site that features chips and salsa, tacos and taco fries. Can’t make it over there? The Crown Pub at Choctaw has some of their beers on tap too.https://loststreetbrewing.com/

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerScene

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75 breweries in 2023

     As a craft beer connoisseur and a traveling sales manager, I was able to visit 75 breweries this past year. I got to visit 5 states along with some stops all over the state of Texas.  2023 also saw me visit my 500th different brewery (in Kansas of all places).  Of the 75 breweries I visited, 51 of them were breweries that I hadn’t been to before.  I’ll post the list of all breweries I visited at the end of this blog. Here’s some of my most notable and favorite places I visited this year. 

Favorite Kansas brewery

Central Standard Brewery - Wichita, KS

   Opened in 2015, Central Standard features a warehouse style taproom.   They brew all styles of beer from Belgians, IPAs, Barrel-Aged, Sours, and Brett/Wild beers. This was my 500th different brewery! Favorite beer was their “CSB Vienna Lager”. 

Favorite Oklahoma brewery

Stonecloud Taproom & Patio - Stillwater, OK

   Stonecloud boasts 2 locations with the other being in Oklahoma City. This location in Stillwater features 27 beers on tap as well as 3,000 square feet of indoor space and 6,000 square feet of patio space. They brew a wide variety of styles and have plenty of cans to go as well. My favorite beer was Astropup - Session IPA. 

Photo courtesy of Stonecloud Brewing 

Favorite New Mexico brewery

Downshift Brewing (Hidden Tap) - Ruidoso, NM

   Nestled in cozy downtown Ruidoso, Downshift focuses on ales and lagers while also having rotational beers on tap. They have pizzas made from scratch as well as other pub fare.  This location is their home base but they have 3 other locations with one down  the street that overlooks the river Rio Ruidoso, one in nearby Alto, NM and another in old town Albuquerque. My favorite beer was “Helles” helles lager. 

Favorite Nashville brewery 

Southern Grist Brewing Company (East Nashville)

   Southern Grist’s main location is closer to downtown that features a 9,900 square foot production facility and taproom. This location on the east side seats 49 people with an ample patio space when weather permits. Their mantra is “brewing out-of-the-box flavors and styles of craft beer”. Beer and Brewing named their Gin- aged “Perpetual Composition” one of their top 20 beers of 2023. Don’t overlook their excellent food either. My favorite beer was “Money Moves” milk stout with peanut butter powder and maple syrup 

Photo courtesy Southern Grist Brewing Co

Favorite Hill Country brewery (Texas)

Vista Brewing - Driftwood, TX

     Located between Wimberley and Dripping Springs, Vista sits on a 21 acre farm that has ranch views and acres of beer garden.  The massive trees and great views really accentuate the beauty of the Texas hill country. With a full kitchen featuring salads, sandwiches, burgers and tacos; the most intriguing menu item is their wildflower caramels made with their black pilsener. Vista has a second location in San Antonio. My favorite beer was their Rain Dance IPA. 

Photo courtesy Michelle Clairee 

Favorite new DFW brewery

Armor Brewing Co - Allen, TX

    This brewery in Allen opened in November and used to be Nine Band Brewing previously. The outside and inside looks totally different.  Jenn Todryk from HGTV fame and her husband Mike had a vision for this place and it’s beautiful inside. They brew a variety of beers but my favorite was their “No Joy” Vermont style IPA. 

Favorite West Texas brewery

Three Missions Brewing - Socorro, TX

    Located about 20 minutes southeast of El Paso, Three Missions is close to the Socorro Mission (one of the three historical and oldest missions in the United States). Its stucco walls, natural wood structural supports and tile floors give it that unique style that matches the history of the area. Favorite beer was their “5 C’s IPA”. 

Favorite High Plains brewery

Good Line Beer Co - Lubbock, TX

   In the Tech Terrace area of Lubbock, Good Line opened up in 2022. You’ve heard of “East coast” and “West coast” styles, but Good Line created their own line of beers which are brewed for Lubbock called “Dust coast”. They brew all kinds of beers and want to be a place for everyone. They even have juice boxes for kids and a dog-friendly patio. My favorite beer was the “Floating In Space” Hazy pale ale 

2023 list - (underlined are breweries I had never visited before) 

1.Blackwater Draw Brewing Company - Bryan, TX

2.SoulFire Brewing - Roanoke, TX

3.On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen - Dallas, TX

4.Celestial Beerworks - Dallas, TX

5.Sunnhaus Brewing Project - Abilene, TX

6.Plateau Brewing Company - San Angelo, TX 

7.Lucky Brewing Company - Dublin, TX

8.Flix Brewhouse - El Paso, TX

9.Blazing Tree Brewery - El Paso, TX

10.Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Company- Carlsbad, NM

11.Downshift Brewing Company (Hidden Tap) - Ruidoso, NM

12.Cloudcroft Brewing Company- Cloudcroft, NM

13.Icebox Brewing - Las Cruces, NM

14.Three Missions Brewery - Socorro, TX

15.Mountain Star Brewing Co - El Paso, TX

16.Deadbeach Brewing Co - El Paso, TX

17.Lone Man Mountain Brewing - Driftwood, TX

18.Ghost Note Brewing - Dripping Springs, TX

19.Vista Brewing- Driftwood, TX

20.Tall City Brewing Company - Midland, TX

21.Mano Negra Brewing Co - Lubbock, TX

22.Good Line Beer Co - Lubbock, TX

23.Auld Brewing - Borger, TX

24.Railport Brewing - Waxahachie, TX

25.Boozie’s Brewery & Texas Fare - Fairview, TX

26.Athens Brewing Co - Athens, TX

27.White Rock Brewery Co - Dallas, TX

28.Stonecloud Brewing Company - Stillwater, OK

29.Iron Monk Brewing Company - Stillwater, OK

30.Limestone Beer Company - Wichita, KS

31.River City Brewing Company - Wichita, KS

32.Wichita Brewing Company - Wichita, KS 

33.Norton’s Brewing Company - Wichita,KS

34.Tor Brewing - Wichita, KS

35.Pourhouse _ Wichita, KS

36.Hopping Gnome Brewing - Wichita, KS

37.Central Standard Brewing - Wichita, KS (#500)

38.Manhattan Brewing Company - Manhattan, KS

39.Tallgrass Taphouse - Manhattan, KS

40.Anvil Brewing #2 - Royse City, TX

41.Southern Roots Brewing Company - Waxahachie, TX

42.Rickhouse Brewing - Mineral Wells, TX

43.Bear King Brewing Company - Marble Falls, TX

44.Bar D Brewhouse - San Saba, TX 

45.Cedar Creek Brewery - Seven Points, TX

46.Breakaway Brewing - San Antonio, TX

47.Bold Republic Brewing Company - Temple, TX

48.Austin Beerworks - Austin, TX

49.Celis Brewery - Austin, TX

50.Funky Picnic Brewery & Café - Fort Worth, TX

51.Voodoo Brewing - Grand Prairie, TX

52.Division Brewing- Arlington, TX

53.Say When Brewing - Denison, TX

54.903 Brewers - Sherman, TX

55.Nolan Creek Brewery - Belton, TX

56.East Nashville Beer Works - Nashville, TN

57.Southern Grist Brewing Company - Nashville, TN

58.Smith & Lentz Brewing - Nashville, TN

59.Lost Forty Brewing - Little Rock, AR

60.Oak Cliff Brewing Company - Oak Cliff, TX

61.Pivovar - Waco, TX

62.Bird Creek Brewing - Temple, Tx

63.Tanglefoot Brewing - Temple, TX

64.Pinthouse - Round Rock, TX

65.Independence Brewing Company - Austin, TX

66.Meanwhile Brewing Company - Austin, TX

67.Mountain Fork Brewery - Broken Bow, Ok

68.Black Fox Brewing Company of Texas - Denton, TX

69.Denton County Brewing Company - Denton, TX

70.Armor Brewing Company - Allen, TX 

71.Flix Brewhouse - (520)Mansfield, TX

72.Bankhead Brewing - Farmers Branch, TX

73.By the Horns Brewing - Mansfield, TX

74.Downshift Brewing - Riverside - Ruidoso, NM

75.Lost Hiker Brewing Company - Ruidoso, NM

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

@DFWBeer on “X”

www.DFWBeerscene.blogspot.com

Voodoo Brewing Company opens in Grand Prairie

     This past weekend, Voodoo Brewing Company opened a franchise brewery in Grand Prairie across the street from IKEA. None of their beer is brewed here in Grand Prairie. It is brewed at their corporate location in Meadville, Pennsylvania and shipped to this location. They do have 6 flagship beers and many other rotators. They had 23 beers on tap when I was there, as well as a cooler full of cans to go. They do have a variety of different beers available. IPAs, a Belgian Tripel, a stout, ales, lagers and sours are on tap currently.  The decor is modern rustic with epoxy sealed pallets as bar tops as well as barrels with round tabletops.

      Their kitchen is currently open and serving all different kinds of food. Their American fare includes beer cheese macaroni, wings, pizzas, sandwiches and burgers. They also offer “beer mussels” in 1 pound and 3 pound quantities. It will be interesting to see how this brewery fares against other beers that are brewed here locally. If you’re in this neck of the woods this place would be worth checking out. 

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

Twitter - @DFWBeer

Untappd - Cldaggie 

2 Abilene breweries closing

     This week there has been some news coming out of Abilene. 

On New Year’s Day, Pappy Slokum Brewing announced their closing. They had been one of the pioneer breweries in the area opening in 2014 and was a local favorite. Their “Stripper Dust” Porter has been one of their flagship beers over the years. Pappy Slokum posted that they will be having their final goodbye send off on Saturday January 28th from 5-10 pm. 

     

Then this morning, Sockdolager Brewing Company announced that they will not be renewing their lease in the spring of 2023 and will be closing permanently after 6 years in business. They have yet to announce a closing date. 

        Brownwood’s Primal Brewing has announced their move back to the Abilene area in the next few weeks. Primal first started out in Baird (just outside of Abilene) before moving to Brownwood.  Currently that leaves 2 breweries (until Primal arrives), Grain Theory and Sunnhaus Brewing in Abilene moving forward in 2023.  

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene 

Twitter - @DFWBeer

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I visited 100 breweries in 2022

      As a traveling salesman, I get to travel quite a bit to the southwest and southeastern part of the country. I like to map out breweries I’d like to visit while traveling. This year, I got to visit 100 different breweries in a calendar year. Not all breweries were new breweries for me but the majority were. 72 of the 100 breweries were ones that I had never visited before. Traveled to 6 states and Belize across this year. For a list of all the breweries visited, those are posted at the end of this blog.  Here’s my favorites and most notable ones visited. 

Favorite brewery in Illinois 

Crystal Lake Brewing  - Crystal Lake, IL

A large space with lots of different beers in the heart of Crystal Lake, northwest of Chicago. Favorite beer was - Hoptopus hazy IPA.

Favorite brewery in New Mexico 

Bow and Arrow Brewing - Albuquerque, NM 

Huge place with lots of indoor and outdoor space.  A white marble bar is accentuated in this southwestern decor. Bow and Arrow is also Native-American owned. Favorite beer was Scenic West hazy IPA. 

Favorite Las Vegas brewery

Trustworthy Brewing - Las Vegas, NV

Claiming to be the only brewery on the Las Vegas strip, Trustworthy is located inside the Palazzo shopping center attached to the Venetian Resort. It’s a large area with a restaurant too. Staff was very friendly. Their sister location is in Burbank, California. Favorite beer was “T-shirt weather” Czech Pilsner. 

Favorite Houston (area) brewery 

Fass Brewing - Conroe, TX

In a world of Hazy/NewEngland, milkshake and west coast IPAs, Fass harkens back to the days of classic European styles. With 4 different Pilsners, a kellerbier, a kolsch, and an altbier on tap, you can tell where their brewing emphasis lies. This downtown brewery is located in a historic former bank building that is now the oldest building in Conroe. Favorite beer was Texas Corn Lager. 

Favorite Austin (area) brewery

Roughhouse Brewing - San Marcos, TX

Roughhouse features a huge outdoor area with a farmhouse feel. The most intriguing Roughhouse point of interest is its underground cave on the property where they have beers that are “100 % Cave-aged”. They release those as special release beers through the year. Favorite beer was Treeform Farmhouse IPA

Favorite food at brewery 

Pivovar - Waco, TX

I’m a sucker for a good schnitzel and Pivovar Brewery and Hotel has nailed this classic. Served with mashed potatoes and the lemon to squeeze.  I’ve had it multiple times and it’s always consistently great. Favorite beer was their Vienna lager. 

Most scenic brewery visited 

Riff Raff on the Rio - Pagosa Springs, CO

Located on the scenic San Juan River in southern Colorado, this brewery features a covered outdoor patio to enjoy a beer while watching kayakers, paddle boarders and tubers come down the river in the summertime. Riff Raff’s other location is in downtown Pagosa Springs just down the road.  Favorite beer was Stolen Roses wheat  

Favorite recently opened Texas brewery 

Tanglefoot Brewing - Temple, TX

Tanglefoot opened a few months ago and has nailed down their czech lagers.  Owner and brewer Andy Martinec (formerly of Austin’s Black Star Co-Op) is focusing on czech lagers in this former BBQ restaurant. He’s already got a good local following and his beers are true czech lagers. Favorite beer was 12 degree pale lager. 

Favorite brewery promotion 

Peticolas Brewing Company - Dallas, TX

In March, Peticolas ran a “Kitchen sink” special that included 16 Peticolas cans for $44. And since I’m a fan of most everything they brew, I thought it was a steal. Favorite beer was Its Always Something Belgian Dark Ale. 

Underlined breweries were breweries never visited before. Not underlined were re-visits. 

1.Southern Roots Brewing Co- Waxahachie, TX

2.Cowtown Brewing - Southlake, TX

3.Braided River Brewing- Mobile, AL

4.Oyster City Brewing - Mobile, AL

5.Pondaseta Brewing -Amarillo,TX

6.Auld Brewing - Lubbock, TX

7.Brewery LBK - Lubbock, TX

8.Tall City Brewing - Midland, TX

9.Edgewise Eight Brewing - Weatherford, TX

10.Johnson County Distillery - Cleburne, TX

11.By the Horns Brewery - Mansfield,TX

12.Community Beer Co - Dallas,TX

13.Bendt Distilling - Lewisville, TX

14.Revolver Brewing Co - Granbury, TX

15.Flying Heart Brewing - Bossier City, LA

16.Ravinia Brewing Co. - Highland Park, IL

17.Cary Alehouse & Restaurant - Cary,IL

18.Spirit Water - Cary,IL

19.Crystal Lake Brewing - Crystal Lake, IL

20.Holzlager Brewing - Woodstock,IL

21.ShadowView Brewing - Woodstock,IL

22.Kishwaukee Brewing - Woodstock,IL

23.Sew Hop’d Brewery - Huntley,IL

24.Hobbs Brewing Company - Placencia, Belize 

25.Rickhouse Brewing - Mineral Wells, TX

26.Alien Brewpub - Albuquerque, NM

27.Nexus Brewery & Restaurant - Albuquerque, NM

28.Enchanted Circle Brewhouse - Albuquerque, NM

29.Lizard Trail Brewing - Albuquerque, NM

30.La Reforma Brewing - Albuquerque, NM

31.Rumor Brewing Company - Cedar Crest, NM

32.Beer Creek Brewing Company - Santa Fe, NM

33.Hidden Mountain Brewing Company - Santa Fe, NM

34.Black Mesa Winery & Cider - Velarde, NM

35.Break Room Brewing Company - Pagosa Springs, CO

36.Steamworks Brewing Company- Durango, CO

37.Anarchy Brewing Company - Durango, CO

38.Railport Brewing Company - Waxahachie, TX

39.Wild Acre Brewing Camp Bowie - Fort Worth, TX

40.On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen - Dallas, TX

41.Four Bullets Brewery - Richardson, TX

42.False Idol Brewing - North Richland Hills, TX

43.Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company - Houston, TX

44.Division Brewing - Arlington, TX

45.Manhattan Project Brewing - Dallas, TX

46.Riff Raff On the Rio Brewery - Pagosa Springs, CO

47.High Trestle Brewing Co - Durango, CO

48.Peticolas Brewing Company - Dallas, TX

49.Chambers Creek Brewing Company - Maypearl, TX

50.Acopon Brewing Company - Dripping Springs, TX  

51.Twisted X Brewing Company - Dripping Springs, TX

52.Middleton Brewing Company - San Marcos, TX

53.Roughhouse Brewing Company - San Marcos, TX

54.Dodging Duck Brewhaus - Boerne, TX 

55.Cibolo Creek Brewing Company- Boerne, TX 

56.Free Roam Brewing Company - Boerne, TX

57.Bandera Ale Company - Bandera, TX

58.Flix Brewhouse - San Antonio, TX

59.Maverick Whiskey - San Antonio, TX

60.Man Overboard Brewing Company - San Antonio, TX 

61.Koko’s Bavarian - Austin, TX 

62.Central Machine BeerWorks - Austin, TX

63.Oakfire Pizza and Brewing - Belton, TX

64.Siren Rock Brewing Company - Rockwall, TX 

65.Southern Roots Brewing Company - Waco, TX

66.Ash and Ember Brewing - Cedar Hill, TX

67.Turkey Forrest Brewing - Houston, TX 

68.Elder Son Brewing - Houston, TX

69.New Magnolia Brewing - Houston, TX

70.Great Heights Brewing Company - Houston, TX

71.Ingenious Brewing Company - Humble, TX

72.Southern Yankee Brewing Company- Houston

73.Fass Brewing - Conroe, TX

74.Funky Picnic Brewery & Café - Fort Worth, TX

75.Maple Branch Craft Brewery - Fort Worth, TX

76.Autonomous Society Brewpub- Dallas, TX

77.Hopfusion Ale Works - Fort Worth, TX

78.Bourbon-n-Branch Brewing Company.- Hudson Oaks, TX 

79.Parker County Brewing Company - Hudson Oaks

80.Brew Aleworks - Granbury, TX

81.Ellis Island Casino and Brewery - Las Vegas, NV

82.Trustworthy Brewing - Las Vegas, NV

83.Chicago Brewing Company - Las Vegas, NV

84.The Underground Speakeasy (Mob Museum) - Las Vegas, NV

85.Triple 7 Restaurant & Brewery - Las Vegas, NV. 

86.Sierra Blanca Brewery - Moriarity, NM

87.Bombs Away Brewing - Albuquerque, NM

88.Bosque Brewing - Albuquerque, NM

89.Boxing Bear Brewing Company- Albuquerque, NM

90.Gravity Bound Brewing - Albuquerque, NM

91.Juno - Albuquerque, NM

92.Rio Bravo Brewing Company - Albuquerque, NM

93.Bow and Arrow Brewing Company - Albuquerque, NM

94.Tractor Brewing Company - Albuquerque, NM

95.Ralvin Ciders - Alvord, TX

96.Pivovar Brewery, Restaurant & Hotel - Waco, TX

97.Tanglefoot Brewery - Temple, TX

98.Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery - Garland, TX

99.Hop & Sting Brewing - Grapevine, TX

100. Santa Fe Brewing - Santa Fe, NM

Clint Doherty

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