Railport Brewing arrives at the station in Waxahachie

        I’m admittedly a native Texan and proud of it. I’m also a native of  Ellis County and my family’s roots run deep here with family all over Ellis County. Needless to say, there were few happier about a new brewery opening in Ellis County than me. I’ve been blogging about beer in the DFW Metroplex for about 10 years now and this was the most excited I’ve ever been to see a new local brewery opening. I had been in contact with owner Richard Womack about their opening for awhile, and was getting updates via Facebook about their happenings. On May 25th, they had their Friends and Family Private event before their Grand Opening the next day. By a swift of luck, we were invited. Needless to say I was ecstatic and we went Friday afternoon/evening.  The taproom is really inviting with space and Texas rustic decor everywhere. My favorite touch were the growlers filled with small white battery operated strings of lights. The restroom in the taproom is worth mentioning. You will find yourself looking at the old movie posters and signs  long after you finish your business. All the staff is very friendly and eager to help and eager to talk beer. Their namesake Railport has a train type theme which is creative. I was drinking their “Caboose Hop” IPA when someone who works behind the bar came out and says “when you hear the train, you have to toast and drink”. We couldn’t hear the train at first but we did finally hear it faintly. Really cool experience. The taproom opens up to their brewing operations and then to two doors to patios and outside seating and umbrella covered benches.  While we were there, there was a food truck getting ready to open for business just outside of Railport’s patio. At the grand opening on Saturday they had live music. This type of place is a place that people of this area have craved to be here.  A place to share a locally-made pint (which is a good Pint, they have great beer) with friends while eating and listening to live music. Their Honey Hush blonde is made with Burleson’s local honey in Waxahachie. My favorite beer that they brewed was their Orange Blossom Saison. A big Congratulations to Richard and family at Railport for opening Ellis County’s newest gem. And Thanks for having us Friday night. Follow me on Twitter @DFWBeer and on Untappd at Cldaggie. Cheers!!

Barrow Brewing Company - Salado’s newest gem

        I got to visit with Gradon  and KD Hill at Barrow Brewing Company this week. They have a great location in downtown Salado next to Salado Creek. They have been open for 2 years this coming April. The brewery is in an old grain storage building. They are soon expanding their outdoor area. All of their beers are drinkable and approachable. Each of their beers are named after events and things associated with the Hill’s history and experiences. For example, their 784 Belgian Wit was names because of the 784 people who voted for the election to have a new brewery in Salado. You will have to visit the brewery to find out the rest of their beer names and experiences!  

       My favorite beer that I tried was the Evil Catfish IPA. I also really liked their Sabattical Coconut Stout which tasted like a liquid Almond Joy. Because they are a Brewpub, they do sell their own canned beer on site and they also sell cider and wine for consumption on site.  Their cans and beers are currently available in Austin, San Antonio, and Waco. They have a great relationship with the community with artists and local food trucks coming to the breweries when they’re open. They have plenty of different beers on tap at the brewery so you will be sure to find the one you’ll like when you’re there.  I would like to thank the Hill’s for their hospitality amd would highly recommend stopping at this brewery as a destination location or if you’re looking to break the trip up on the way to Austin/San Antonio. Thanks to everyone at Barrow Brewing. Cheers!  Follow me on Untappd at Cldaggie amd on Twitter at @DFWBeer. 

Good Neighbor Brews in Wylie, TX

I enjoyed my recent visit to Good Neighbor Brews in Wylie. They have a fun tap room and nice patio with games to play outside. They're currently running on a 10 barrel system. My favorite beer I had when I was there was their watermelon cucumber ale - "3 day weekend". They have sodas there for the kids and the staff and owners were really friendly and easy to talk to. I definitely recommend visiting if you haven't been.  Cheers

Fredonia brewery - great beer in Texas' oldest town

I recently got to visit with Paul and Vince at Fredonia Brewing in Nacogdoches, TX. They have a great location right in the heart of downtown Nacogdoches. These guys have been home brewers for a long time and finally decided to open their own brewery. What was so interesting about this brewery, is that when you walk in, there are close to 2,500 empty old beer cans that are on display from breweries from across the USA. It is really like a museum right when you walk in. They have a great open outdoor patio for everyone to enjoy the great outdoor weather and a cold beer. I was really impressed with their beer as well. The six beers I was able to try were The 9 Flags Amber ale, the Banita Blonde Ale, the D'oches Kolsch, the Angry Axe IPA, the Pine Cove Porter, and the Bull Pine Pale Ale. All of these beers were great. My favorite was the Bull Pine Pale Ale. The day I was there, there were just getting there canning line going. They hope to be canning soon and be in stores across Texas eventually. I really appreciate the hospitality shown by Vance and Paul. If you're ever down in Nacogdoches, this is definitely a great place to check out. Cheers!!

 

 

 

 

 

ETX Brewing Co - Brewing up a variety of great beers in Tyler

I got to visit with Brian and Annie at ETX Brewing Company in Tyler today and they have a great location right in downtown Tyler.  Their operation has been up and running since January. They have a very inviting taproom with a nice outdoor patio with tables with lots of space. Inside the taproom they are currently offering 9 different beers on tap. An LCD flat screen shows all the beers that they currently offer as well as their hop level and ABV. Very consumer friendly. In my opinion, the best thing about ETX is their vision of always brewing something different. They will have a few staples but they will always be brewing something different. So every time you go in there there will be new beers that you haven't tried before; which in my opinion, is what most craft beer drinkers are looking for. They are currently self distributing and have their beers on tap at many restaurants and bars in and around Tyler. They do plan on canning in the future. If you're in the east Texas area, ETX is definitely a place that is worth a visit to. Thanks again to my friends at ETX. Follow me on twitter @DFWBeer and on Untappd at CldAggie. Cheers!!

 

    

Oil Horse Brewing - Brewing up great beers in East Texas

I recently got to visit Oil Horse Brewing in Longview, Texas and try their beers and see their operation. They are brewing up some good beers and have an inviting tap room. Jack and John are the two guys who I visited with and it's obvious they know what they're doing. They opened in 2016 and chose a great location in the newly renovated downtown Longview as their home. Their name "Oil Horse" derives from the oil pump jacks which Longview is famous for.  Their "1877" is a malt forward red ale with caramel notes that was named for a fire that destroyed everything in downtown longview except the building that Oil Horse is in. The "Big Inch" named after an oil pipe line is their smooth milk stout. "Moon Pool" was my favorite beer from Oil Horse. It's a strong Belgian Tripel that hides high abv well. I enjoyed their pale named "Nodding Donkey" too. After trying all of Oil Horse's brews, I was surprised to find out that they are all gluten-free but don't have that normal gluten free taste. Oil Horse has found an enzyme that breaks down the gluten during the brewing process. These beers definitely don't taste gluten-free!  Big Thanks to Jack and John at  Oil Horse Brewing for the hospitality and beers!  If you're out in East Texas, this is definitely a place you should check out! Find them at www.OilHorseBrewing.com . Follow me on twitter at @DFWBeer and on Untappd - Cldaggie .  Cheers! 

  

Flying Heart Brewing - Brewing good beers in Bossier City!

I recently got to visit with Elizabeth and the rest of the crew at Flying Heart Brewing in downtown Bossier City, Louisiana. They have been open since May of 2015. They are located in an old firehouse built in the 1940's in downtown Bossier City. Their tap room is open on Saturdays and is very inviting with an open patio and games to play. The downtown area is currently going through a redevelopment approved by the city so there will soon be a lot going on in that area. They have 12 great beers on tap and my favorites were the Bomb Bay IPA and their Firehouse Blonde. They distribute to many restaurants and bars around the Shreveport/Bossier City area. The craft beer scene is starting to grow in the Northern Louisiana area. If you're heading east towards Louisiana, Flying Heart Brewing should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Bossier City!