DFWBeerScene: 6 Breweries in outlying Texas cities that you should visit!

My job carries to all parts of this great state. It allows me to see some cool places and try new brews and check out other breweries. Here’s 6 (plus honorable mentions) breweries in outer areas that are worth checking out. These are in no particular order

1. Fredonia Brewery - Nacogdoches, TX

This large brewery with plenty of outdoor space is nestled right near the brick streets in Downtown Nacogdoches. My favorite beer there was their “9 Flags Amber Ale”. The most memorable part of this brewery was the 2,500 empty cans for display. It’s truly a beer history just seeing it.

Best restaurant to visit while in Nacogdoches-

Clear Springs Catfish or C C’s Smokehouse

Best bar to drink craft beer-

Maklemore’s Ale House and Bistro

2. Bar D Brewhouse - San Saba, TX

A small little 2 level building near downtown San Saba, this gentleman who owns this place runs on a one barrel system. He has good food and the beer is pretty good too. I would recommend eating here. Good sense of humor too!

3. Bare Arms Brewing - Waco, TX

Waco’s first brewery opened in 2015. They have approachable beers and have had crowlers since the beginning. Waco is getting a semi pro baseball team and Bare Arms is doing their ballpark beer. Their name comes from Brewing beer with their “bare arms” and Bear being a play on words from Baylor. They have grown slowly over time and are succeeding in Waco. They now have even more space and room in their welcoming tap room. My favorite beer there was their Turbulence IPA. Located near the roundabout east of 35 in Waco.

Best bar to drink Craft beer in Waco- Shorty’s pizza shack, Dancing Bear Pub

Best restaurant in Waco- Friday’s seafood, La Fiesta Mexican

4. Nocona Beer and Brewing - Nocona, TX

Almost 2 hours northwest of DFW sits the old Nocona Boot factory in Nocona, TX. It now houses Nocona Beer and Brewery. This place showcases a ton of space and a very unique experience when it comes to the history of their location. They are canning their beer with the wide mouth top cans that are very popular. This brewery is a fun place to visit with good people there and good beer too. My favorite beer there was their Bronc Buster IPA

5. True Vine Brewing - Tyler, TX

In a growing east Texas market now with 2 breweries in Tyler, True Vine has been brewing for awhile and recently moved into a huge new location a little southwest of downtown Tyler. There’s plenty of room to grow and plenty of patio space outside here. My favorite beer that I drank when I was there was their “Daddy’s juice box” IPA. This brewery features an attached pizza kitchen with a hot stone coal fired oven. This place is surprisingly large for The Tyler area. It’s worth seeing and drinking.

Best bar to drink craft beer in Tyler- Roast, Rotollo’s Pizza, Rose City Drafthouse

Best restaurants in Tyler, TX- Stanley’s BBQ - legendary in Texas. On Texas Monthly’s top 10 BBQ list. Beer too

6. Athens Brewing Co - Athens, TX

Located in the downtown Athens square, Athens Brewing opened in 2015 with a great location and cool venue. Featuring the brew tanks on the lower floor, this brewery makes use of all the space it can. With a nice patio and games, this place is a great spot for a weekend night with music and food is served at the brewery too! My favorite beer I had there was “Tits on Bulls” Barleywine.

Best place to buy craft beer in Athens - “Come and Take It” is a great Beer and Wine shop for this neck of the woods. Great selection and a Stone’s throw from Athens Brewing

Best place to eat in Athens- Wawa’s seafood shack