Waco’s new Pivovar “Czechs” all the boxes

       Right next to the Magnolia silos in downtown Waco, Pivovar, meaning “to brew beer” is a brand new hotel, restaurant and brewery that opened just last week (they were in the process of hanging their sign outside while I was there).  Featuring the 20 barrel brew system and restaurant on the main floor, Pivovar focuses on brewing Czech and European style lagers and Czech/Texan fusion cuisine. They’re currently brewing 4 lagers, a light czech lager, a premium czech lager, a Vienna lager and a dark lager. Owner Olda Cichon says one of his favorite Czech beers is “Pilsner Urquell” and wanted to brew a beer similar to that style.  Pivovar has many unique Czech touches with the green chairs with Pivovar’s logo to the large prints featuring breweries from the Czech Republic above the brewhouse.  

       

      I ordered the Vienna schnitzel that was lightly breaded with a side of mashed potatoes and it was fantastic. Others in my group had the Scallop sliders and the Beetnic medley salad and everyone in my group was impressed with their lunch.  They also have great cocktails and a nice wine selection as well.  We were treated to a tour of the hotel and were able to see some of the intrinsic details in their rooms.  Their quaint lobby features lots of wood and friendly service at the counter. Each of their rooms has lots of teak wood and feature a see thru mini fridge with soft drinks and snacks.  Pivovar will soon be canning their beer and will have their beers available in your room when you arrive.  

          Also available are their beer baths which contain “deconstructed beer” in copper bath tubs that are available in the “Beer spa” rooms. The contents are very good for your skin and complexion. Massages are also available in the beer spa. A bakery is currently under construction on the east side of the building. No expense was spared at Pivovar and it’s obvious lots of thought and planning were done in planning the former “Katy Hotel” in downtown Waco.  Having a brewery, restaurant, boutique hotel and bakery makes Pivovar a unique and fun experience that I’d highly recommend while in Waco. 

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene 

Twitter - @DFWBeer

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Siren Rock ready to make a splash in Rockwall

       Eva & Cory Cannon had a vision to start a new brewery in 2017 after successful careers in I.T. and A/V. They decided to pursue their passion of craft beer and wanted to open a brewery in Rockwall where they lived and found a place in downtown and finally started construction in April of 2020 right after the pandemic hit the United States. Having enjoyed nice wineries in Napa Valley, the Cannons envisioned an elevated, high end experience for a brewery. Feeling as the female brewery experience is under served, they wanted a female leaning brewery while not turning off their male customers.  With that in mind, an “edgy mermaid, a Siren” was chosen to be the theme of the brewery.  A Siren perched on a Rock ties in with the city of Rockwall’s name. 

       Each of Siren Rock’s beers are named after a designed character with diversity in mind. Their “Fearless Contender” Hazy IPA “strikes an incredible punch perfectly balancing the unforgettable tropical aromas of papaya, mango, peach and strawberry with juicy notes of fresh grilled pineapple”. They will be canning each of their core beers with recognizable colors coated cans with the design of each characters on the cans. As mentioned, all of the characters on their beers come from diverse backgrounds, with the Siren “calling all of them into the brewery to gather together and share a craft beer”.  They will also be brewing seasonal, rotating beers and each will have their own character and cans. Their beers are brewed to be sessionable, drinkable, and moderate ABV so that you’ll be able to drink more than one at the brewery. 

Siren Rock’s Core Lineup

       

     Siren Rock’s taproom exudes class with attention to details. The wall behind the bars has the copper shingles  that look like mermaid scales and the bar has matching nautical themed art that flows throughout.  The chairs and comfy couches definitely invite you to have a seat and enjoy craft beer with friends and family.  There is a spot both indoor and on their outside patio for live music with speakers throughout the brewery so you can hear the music no matter where you are.  The banquet room is available to host parties and groups. It features the same artwork of all of their characters on their beers and cans. The brewery itself features a lab, a 30 barrel, 3 vessel system that includes more room to grow when that time comes. 

         Siren Rock has beer ready to be poured, the taproom is ready but unfortunately there a few final details that must be done with their landscape before they can get the “okay” from the city.  They anticipate opening any day now.  Everyone there is excited to be a part of the Rockwall community and also a part of a growing DFW craft beer community. The city of Rockwall is eagerly awaiting their opening and they already have seen great support from the city and community. 

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

Twitter - @DFWBeer

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7 DFW brewed beers to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day

March 17th is Saint Patrick’s day and honors those who have Irish heritage. Here’s 7 Irish themed beers brewed around DFW that are worth a try. 

7. Four Bullets Brewery - Royal Flush Irish Red Ale

This Irish Red is malty and has the sweetness but is not overly bitter. It’s really straightforward  and Four Bullets brews this year round. Available on draft at the brewery or in growlers to go. 

6. Bitter Sisters Brewing Company- Knock Out Irish Red 

An Irish style Red ale, Knock Out features chocolate malts, English caramel, darker grains and English hops. It also has  notes of toffee. A well balanced example of an Irish Red ale. Available on tap at the brewery and in cans at retailers across DFW. 

5. Shannon Brewing Company - Irish Coffee Cream Ale

This cream ale is aged on whole coffee beans and vanilla beans and gives off some fruit notes. It has a good malt profile and copper hue to it. A beer you’ll enjoy from Shannon Brewing Company. Available on draft at the brewery and in cans around DFW. 

4. Cowtown Brewing Company- O’Dell Irish Red

This Irish Red Ale has a thin head and has malty and caramel notes expected with a good Irish Red Ale. A good representation of an Irish Red. Available on draft at the brewery and in cans to go from Cowtown. 

3. Denton County Brewing Company - 8 foot Leprechaun Irish Red Ale 

Another Irish Red ale, 8 foot leprechaun features an ABV of 8%. With notes of caramel, malts and sweetness, it’s an enjoyable easy drinking red ale. Available on draft at the brewery and also in cans to go. 

2. 903 Brewers - Luck of the Squatch Irish Cream Flavored Stout

This Irish cream flavored stout comes with coffee and cream notes and is very smooth. Boasting an ABV of 11%, this Stout will sneak up on you as you can hardly taste the alcohol content. Available at the brewery or in cans at your local retailer around DFW.  

1. Peticolas Brewing Company - Irish Goodbye  

If you looked up the definition of what an Irish Red Ale should be, this would be it. The thick creamy head along with the perfect balance of malt, caramel and sweetness makes this beer one you’ll remember.  Found on tap at Peticolas, in cans from the brewery and on tap around DFW. 

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

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Martin House’s Buffalo Wangz & Ranch dipping sauce beers

      

    I got to try Martin House Brewing’s Buffalo Wangz and Ranch dipping sauce beers this weekend. Martin House has always been that brewery in the metroplex who will try anything and everything when it comes to brewing different styles of beers. Obviously the sour pickle beer has been a huge success for them. Call me shameless but I’ll try anything once and am open to experimentation when it comes to brewing exotic beers. Before I get to the beers, I’d like to first compliment Martin House on the appreciation they have for their customers. They released a handful of new beers on Friday last week at 12:00 noon. I was there at about 11:30 and there was a small line already gathered. Martin House employees were walking around greeting everyone, handing out breakfast tacos and also a free beer to those in line. To me this goes above and beyond appreciation to their customers, especially considering that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Big Kudos to Martin House. 

          As far as the new beers go, the Buffalo Wangz beer pours a dark orange color with little to no head. It starts with a bite that tastes like you just poured Frank’s Red Hot sauce in their Salty Lady gose. It’s a good beer if you like Buffalo wings and the spice that comes with it. It’s not overly spicy but does have a kick and is definitely a sipping beer. They succeeded at making the beer taste like buffalo wings. 

         The Ranch dipping sauce is a bit creamy and salty, pours with some head and tastes just like Hidden Valley Ranch poured into their Salty Lady gose. It’s an odd mix to say the least. I wasn’t a fan of this beer but like my friend explained “I don’t know what you expected, the name is literally Ranch dipping sauce. Sounds like they nailed it”. And I would agree with what he’s saying, just not a good mix in a beer in my opinion. I still have more of these beers and I will mix these beers together next time I try them. Cheers. 

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

@DFWBeer

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903’s Dreamsicle Smoothie Style Beer

      Located in Sherman, TX north of Dallas, 903 is one of only 4 breweries in the United States that is brewing fruit slushy/smoothie style beers. Their “Dreamsicle” beer is a tangerine, vanilla and lactose smoothie style Gose Ale. This beer definitely has the tartness that a Gose comes with but has the sweetness from the tangerine and vanilla and lactose to soften the tartness. This ale is fruity and thick like a smoothie. This would definitely be a great dessert beer with all of the fruit and tartness involved.  903 often releases new fruit smoothie style beers every couple of weeks and have a popular following here in North Texas.  These beers are available in beer stores in DFW but are better enjoyed at the brewery. 

        903 offers a spacious taproom with live music on the weekends, trivia nights during the week and an excellent lineup of food served in house. They have great grilled cheese sandwiches with the option to add bacon or brisket to your sandwich. Their pizzas, high stacked burgers and trash can nachos are also very popular.  Although it’s a bit of a drive north of DFW, the beers, the overall brewery experience and the food are well worth the drive to check out 903 Brewers. 

Clint Doherty

The Best in-house grub at DFW Breweries

We all love food and beer right? And while lots of breweries have food options and/or food trucks at the brewery; many of the breweries in DFW are making their own food in-house while serving up their own craft beer. Today I’d like to take a look at 14 of my favorite places that I’d recommend to get good grub while drinking a craft beer at the brewery. I’ve ranked them from #14 all the way to #1. Cheers! 

14. Parker County Brewing Company - Willow Park

Located west of Fort Worth in Willow Park, Parker County offers charcuterie boards, pretzels and signature pizzas. A new favorite is their Mia Bella pizza made with pepperoni, Parmesan, San Marzano sauce topped with ricotta and basil pesto. Recommended beer - 1879 Prohibition Era Ale

13. 903 Brewers - Sherman

Located in Sherman, 903 has tons of space and variety of good food. Their pizzas, high stacked burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and trash can Nachos are all very popular. Recommended beer - Any of their Fruit slushy beers available. 

photo courtesy- 903 Brewers

12. Cowtown Brewing - Fort Worth 

Serving up good BBQ near downtown Fort Worth,  Cowtown often has daily specials and also offers brisket tacos, wings and a Fried Bologna Sandwich. Recommended beer - Rhinestone Cowboy - Kolsch

 

11. Brutal Beerworks - North Richland Hills

Known for their hazy IPAs and fruited sours, Brutal is offering thin crust pizzas that are made to order and pair really well with their beers. You’ll enjoy the fun artwork on the walls of the brewery too.  Recommended beer - Gusherz fruited sour. 

10. White Rock Alehouse & Brewery- Dallas 

On the Southside of White Rock Lake, White Rock Ale house and Brewery offers sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, and other American fare. One of their more well liked dishes is their Fish and Chips. They offer their “Rise and Shine” brunch on saturdays and Sundays featuring their breakfast tacos and Chicken and waffles. Recommended beer - Capsized Kayak Wheat. 

9. Wild Acre Brewing Company - Camp Bowie - Fort Worth

Wild Acre’s 2nd location on Camp Bowie opened early 2020 and offers “Sweet Chicken Chili Lollipops” starters and sandwiches and burgers. They’re wagyu beef burgers are popular with the option to add Tillamook Cheddar, smoked bacon and fried egg. They also offer “Spam Fries” - fried Spam and Sambol thousand island. Recommended beer - Juicy Bingo Series IPA 

photo courtesy- Wild Acre Brewing Co.

8. Steam Theory Brewing  Company - Dallas

Just across the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge in Dallas, Steam Theory Brewing company offers Wagyu Burgers, Signature Pizzas and sandwiches. Their “Wing and beer pairing flight” is a favorite. Recommended beer - Hops against Humanity IPA

7. Braindead Brewing - Dallas/Deep Ellum

Braindead has a very eclectic menu and it’s hard to find something that doesn’t sound delicious. Things that caught my eye are the Smoked Butcher steak, the Cheezus is King Burger featuring Dr Pepper glazed tomatoes and their Stout Chocolate Milk and fresh cookies. I thoroughly enjoyed the Bacon and beer flight pairing. The bacons available were Pork, Beef belly, Lamb and duck and all paired great with their beers. Recommended beer - Hammer of the Gods Imperial Porter 

6. Vector Brewing - Dallas

Located near Lake Highlands, Vector Brewing provides their customers with options like salads, pasta, and craft pizza. Vector’s pizza dough and sauces are made from scratch every day.  They even offer a vegetarian Red Curry based pizza with tofu. Don’t forget about their brunch on Saturdays and Sundays which features an “All Gravy” pizza - cream gravy, cheese, cheddar jalapeño biscuits and sausage. Recommended beer - Microscopic Sharks IPA

5. Funky Picnic Brewery and Café - Fort Worth

Just south of downtown Fort Worth, Funky Picnic has mastered their sandwiches, burgers and wings. I really enjoyed their “Cluck Norris” sandwich that has fried chicken, bacon, ranch, avocado, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato on a sesame seed bun. Recommended beer - Two Peanut Butters, One Cup Milk Stout. 

4. Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery - Garland

A staple in downtown Garland, Intrinsic has outstanding BBQ offering brisket, pork, ribs, sausage and delicious sides.  On Fridays, they offer a tasty brisket French dip, but Instrinsic is known for their Chicken Fried Brisket with mashed potatoes and burnt end gravy that is available on Tuesdays.  They’re famous for it. Recommended beer - Texas Shake-Milkshake IPA
photo courtesy- Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery

3. Malai Kitchen - 3 locations. Dallas, Southlake, Fort Worth

Malai Kitchen is a Thai/Vietnamese restaurant but they do brew their own beer in house. You’d be hard pressed to find better Thai food in DFW. With dishes like Drunken Noodles, Lemongrass Chicken and Vietnamese Pork Ribs, it’s hard to choose something that doesn’t sound tasty. My favorite is the Thai Chicken Wings. Jumbo whole wings, Thai chili garlic glaze and toasted sesame seeds. Recommended beer - Peach Tea Wheat. 

photo courtesy-Malai Kitchen 

2. Union Bear Brewing Company - Plano

Union Bear describes itself as a restaurant and brewery with a west coast feel and deep Texas roots. They have something for everyone offering salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and plates that will leave you impressed. My favorite was their Mesquite grilled Texas quail glazed with bourbon bbq sauce,  brussel sprouts, creamy corn with bacon and red peppers. They also offer a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Recommended beer - Union Bear New England IPA.

photo courtesy- Union Bear Brewing Co.

1. Bankhead Brewing Co. - Rowlett

Nestled in downtown Rowlett, Bankhead is named after the transcontinental highway that ran through Rowlett. Bankhead is a rustic style brewpub that has great sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees that they will always recommend which beer to pair with your meal. With dishes like Lobster Mac and cheese, Roasted Salmon and their Chicken Fried Ribeye, you will find something that you’ll love. They constantly have daily flavorful specials that aren’t always on the menu. This is their Bacon-wrapped Mahi-mahi on a bed of mashed potatoes and asparagus accompanied by grilled shrimp finished with lemon caper butter. Recommended beer - Hoofer’s Hef Hefeweizen 

photo courtesy- Bankhead Brewing Co

Clint Doherty

Twitter - @DFWBeer

DFWBeerscene

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