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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Brew Aleworks opens in Granbury

      Located just south of 377 in Granbury, Brew Aleworks opened recently. They currently have 4 house beers on tap and a handful of guest taps. They will have 6 “core” beers on tap year round and some seasonal rotators. Their 6 core beers are Dizzy Blonde, Bugsy Lager, JitterBug Pale Ale, Charleston Amber, 33 Hefeweizen and Speakeasy Stout. Their beers are a speakeasy theme obviously with their beer names. My favorite beer I had was their seasonal “Autumn Lager” Festbier. They do have appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches made fresh in their kitchen. I really enjoyed their “Brewhouse Burger” and fries. 

         Brewer Nate Swan is currently brewing their beers at Hop and Sting in Grapevine but hopes to be brewing on their 7 barrel system in Granbury in the next month. Brew Aleworks’ beers will also be served at their sister location in downtown Granbury “Brew Drinkery”. Next time you’re in the area, stop by and say hello to my friends at Brew Aleworks.  

Clint Doherty

DFWBeerscene

Twitter - @DFWBeer

Untappd - Cldaggie

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

Untappd - Cldaggie 

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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Twitter @DFWBeer

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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