This week in, The Brew! Well July quickly came and went now we move towards the back end of summer. We told you last week that this was going to be a big one so let’s get right to it. This week we talk about a massive celebration for an Austin establishment, we talk about a festival in the Hill Country, we see what unique brewery is spreading across Texas, we talk about a new brewery opening this weekend near Dallas and finally we raise a pint glass to two amazing breweries celebrating 3yrs this weekend. Finally we give you the heads up about the Beer Lover’s Texas book signing event. Check it out now in this week’s edition of, The Brew!
Austin – While bars are not usually the focus on Texas Beer Guide, it is impossible not to salute Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. This Saturday they will be marking their three year anniversary and they’re basically throwing a beer festival to celebrate. They will have live music, over 25 varieties of sausage, 4 pigs cooked 4 different ways oh and over 100 of some of the best beer available in the state. 5 Stone Artisan Brewery, Jester King, Lone Pint will also be featuring some specialty one off brews and the latest releases from Brash Brewing. The best part about this event? It is completely free! With the exception for the cost of your beer and food but attending is free. Hats off to the great group at Banger’s and we wish them many more continued years of success! Click here for more information.
Horseshoe Bay – This Friday and Saturday head on out to the Beer by the Bay Music Festival at the gorgeous Horseshoe Bay Resort overlooking Lake LBJ. The festival features Texas music legends such as Asleep at the Wheel and Dale Watson but the reason we are even mentioning this great event is because they are featuring a package with all you can eat and drink. So you may be asking what that has to do with Texas beer, it has everything to do with it because the beers featured are from Real Ale, South Austin Brewery, Saint Arnold, Twisted X, Solid Rock, Save the World, Double Horn and Revolver Brewing. Now whether you are into the music or not, a beer line up like that for all you can drink sounds like a fun weekend to me. Click here for tickets and more information.
Houston – Last year when Austin based Whole Foods opened a brewery in their new Houston store, it left many other cities wondering if and when they would see a Whole Foods in their city with a brewery. Unfortunately, there won’t be breweries added to the nearly 30 stores across Texas at least for the time being. Instead, the Houston location will start distributing their beers to stores across Houston in August and across the state starting in September. Soon head brewer Dave Ohmer will be working overtime to make enough beer to be distributed. Due to their very limited size at the brewery, the beer will only be available on draft for the time being. Fear not, Whole Foods always offers growler fills so make sure to take your in on your next shopping trip.
Rockwall – This weekend we see the opening of yet another brewery in Texas and we are more than thrilled to see the scene grow. We welcome the opening of Woodcreek Brewing Company just east of Dallas in the town of Rockwall. Founded by friends Noah Cutshall and Brad Bramblett, the Woodcreek Brewery is doing their part by bringing craft beer to their small community. They will feature six beers to make up their line up including their New Horizon Wheat, Texas Star Bock, Rockwall Red, Lakeside Blonde, Vanilla Porter and their Highway 66 IPA. This weekend they will kick off the grand opening celebration at the brewery on Saturday from 12-8pm. We would like to wish Noah and Brad all the best of luck on their new endeavor. Click here for more information.
Garland – This weekend Lakewood Brewing Company celebrates their 3rd year anniversary and they are breaking up the celebration over two days. On Saturday, they will host a huge party at their brewery to mark the occasion but unfortunately tickets are already sold out. For those lucky 500 people that were able to snag their tickets in time they will get to enjoy a day of live music, food trucks and over 20 of their amazing beers on tap. If you were unlucky enough to get a ticket for Saturday, they are hosting a second party on Sunday at Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House. They will have a limited number of souvenir glasses but they will have a lot of beer on hand (which is listed below) to keep the celebration going. Congrats to Lakewood on all of their success over the years and keep making great beer. Click here for more information.
The debut of our third anniversary beer, Lion’s Share III – an Old Ale aged in premium Napa Valley red wine barrels – 9% alc/vol
Druon’s Reserve** – a Belgian golden strong ale brewed w/ cherry wood-smoked malt aged in a wine barrel with Brettanomyces – 11.5% alc/vol
Barrel-aged Holiday Bonus** – our festive, winter seasonal Robust Porter brewed w/ chocolate and orange peel, aged in oak barrels – 7.7% alc/vol
Merlot barrel-aged Till & Toil** – Saison – 8.2% alc/vol
Tempranillo barrel-aged Till & Toil** – Saison – 8.2% alc/vol
Brabo’s Reserve** – a merlot barrel-aged Belgian dark strong ale brewed w/ wildflower honey – 9.6% alc/vol
La Dame du Bois** – a red wine barrel aged Biere de Garde – 9.3% alc/vol
Saint Dymphna – Belgian Tripel brewed w/ linden flowers – 8.6% alc/vol
Bokkenrijders – Doppelsticke Altbier – 8.5% alc/vol
Mole Temptress – Imperial Milk Stout brewed w/ vanilla; guajillo, pasilla, ancho, and chipotle peppers; cacao; and cinnamon – 9.1% alc/vol
Zomer Pils – Bavarian Pilsner – 4.8% alc/vol
The Temptress (on Nitro) – Imperial Milk Stout brewed w/ vanilla – 9.1% alc/vol
Hop Trapp (both regular and on Nitro) – Belgian-style IPA – 6.4% alc/vol
Hopochondria – Session IPA – 3.5% alc/vol
Lakewood Lager – Vienna-style Lager – 4.6% alc/vol
Rock Ryder – American Rye Wheat – 4.8% alc/vol
Seven Points – Yet another brewery is marking their 3rd year anniversary this weekend. A big hats off to Jim Elliot and the crew at Cedar Creek Brewery on all of their hard work. Cedar Creek is a brewery that has lived many lives in the sense that it has been moved around a few times before it finally found its foundation in the lakeside town of Seven Points in northeast Texas. This weekend they will be throwing a celebration at the brewery to mark this occasion and there is no charge for entry. Bring a chair and head out to the brewery. They will have all of their core beers on tap including some specialties and firkins. At 5pm, they will be tapping a limited amount of their award-winning Belgian Dubbel. They will have live music and food available so head on out Saturday from noon till 10pm. Congratulations on three years to Cedar Creek Brewery. Click here for more information.
Austin – Well I know I have been constantly pushing the release of my book “Beer Lovers Texas: Best Breweries, Brewpubs and Beer Bars” but the shameless self-promotion continues. We have a great event coming up on August 21st at BookPeople in Austin. Not only will you be able to pick up a signed copy of the book but I will also be brewing a few brewing friends who will be sampling some of their beers. We are currently planning events in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio coming soon so stay tuned. Click here for more information.
As always, if you’re looking to get out this weekend we suggest you visit a local brewery, don’t forget that we have a list of all of the breweries near you so head over to the Breweries and Brewpubs page and go support your local brewers.
