This week in, The Brew! We had to take some important time off to focus on work but drinking beer along the way. So many things have gone by but we are gearing up for a lot of big things including some special projects leading up to, as well as at the Great American Beer Festival. Summer is coming to a close soon so we will be look forward to Oktoberfest and festival season coming up. This week, we talk about a big 3yr celebration for a San Antonio brewery, we talk about a big shock from a popular north Texas brewery, we talk about your last chance to become an investor in a local breweries expansion and lastly, we talk about a great event that is very special to us. Check it out now in this weeks edition of, The Brew!
San Antonio – Nothing screams a laidback Texan like one rocking sandals, even if they are busted. What started a drunken joke between founder Michael DiCicco and brewer Rob Garza when they stumbled upon a busted sandal in an Austin parking lot, evolved over the years to become the great brewery they are today. This Saturday from 3-8pm, Busted Sandal Brewing Company will celebrate 3yrs and they are having a big party to mark the occasion. Tickets are going for $50 but you will get a glass along with seven pours, a can of beer and food. They will have Sonic Radio rocking out 80’s and 90’s covers and because we are in Texas and it’s dreadfully hot, they will have a cooling area to get a little relief. Tickets are still on sale but they are capping the event to 200 tickets so get them now before they sell out. Congratulations to the great team over at Busted Sandal and wish them many more years of success! Click here for tickets and more information.
Granbury – As Texas craft beer continues to grow, the scene becomes more competitive. Unfortunately over the last 2yrs, we have seen smaller breweries come and quickly go but today we received news that Revolver Brewing has been purchased by Tenth and Blake Beer Company which is the “Craft Beer Division” of MillerCoors. Revolver will be joining their portfolio with the likes of Blue Moon, Terrapin Beer Company, Batch 19 and others.
Revolver Brewing was founded in 2012 by father and son Ron and Rhett Keisler in the small town of Granbury. They broke into the market with their Blood & Honey, a 7% ABV American Wheat Ale that was a quick favorite for many that for a while, they had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Now ther is no telling what the future holds for revolver but according to a press release from Tenth and Blake Beer Company, “Revolver’s management and employees will continue to create, brew, package, market and sell Revolver’s portfolio of brands”.
With the huge influx of craft breweries across the country, big beer conglomerates like MillerCoors and AB InBev (Anheuser-Busch) have seen their profits sink. They have starting looking at purchasing smaller craft breweries in an attempt to recover their loss but will craft beer fans follow? In the past we have seen many who would go on the hunt for the elusive Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island Beer Co but once it was purchased by AB InBev, one-time loyal fans turned their back. So it goes to ask, if your favorite local brewery was sold to AB InBev or MillerCoors, would you stop supporting them?
San Marcos – Two months ago, Austin based Hops & Grain put out a notice that they had reached maxed capacity at their current facility and were looking to build out a second location in San Marcos. They setup a page on WeFunder to assist them with raising the necessary capital for the new location and almost as soon as the buzz started they broke well over their $100K goal. Now in its final 24hrs, they have raised almost $844K from over 300 investors. So far, there has been no word yet on when we can expect to see the new brewery. Hops and Grain, founded by Josh Hare in 2011, launched the brewery with Alt Eration and Pale Dog but over the years they have expanded their line up and have won prestigious awards for their beers. The new brewery and tap room will be located in San Marcos near the Texas State University which will be a great stop when heading down to float the river. The WeFunder page is still active and they are still taking investors but the page closes tomorrow at 10pm CST. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a local breweries expansion. Click here for more info.
(*Disclaimer, this is not a sponsored pitch but we are participants as an investor*)
Houston – While this does not involve beer, this is something that is very near and dear to my heart. When I had the official launch party for Texas Beer Guide on Sept 8, 2012, I was in bad shape and just a couple days later I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Luckily, I beat cancer a month later but it wasn’t an easy task. This past Monday my doctors gave me an all clear for being 4yrs cancer free. There are so many great organizations that raise funds for cancer research such as Pints for Prostates and 1400 Miles, but I will be participating in the MD Anderson Boot Walk to End Cancer on November 12th in Houston. I would like to all to consider joining be on the walk by signing up with team Bite Me Cancer or consider making a donation to one day help make cancer history. Click here for more information.
As always, if you’re looking to get out this weekend we suggest you visit a local brewery. 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. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of our book “Beer Lover’s Texas: Best Breweries, Brewpubs & Beer Bars”. Click here and pick up a copy today!
Know of some events coming up that we should be talking about? Reach out to use and let us know so we can put the word out. Texas Beer Guide is working to keep the public informed about all things Texas beer! For press releases, news and events, email us at Admin@TexasBeerGuide.com.
