The Dallas-area beer scene is growing almost too quickly to keep track of, with news of another brewery coming almost monthly and enough beer festivals in the near future that hardcore suds lovers should consider opening a liver-transplant savings account.
Fort Worth's Martin House Brewing Company is the project of Deep Ellum Brewing Co. intern Cody Martin, his wife, Anna Martin, and co-founder David Wedemeir. It's among the latest start-ups in the area and is unique in that the company is committed to canning rather than bottling its product. Cody says that officially the company is looking at a spring 2013 launch but that it could actually happen much sooner than that. Kegs will precede cans by a month or so, pending TABC approval of the can labels. Negotiating on two different properties near downtown and the Stockyards, and both close to bike path trailheads, he plans on tours and cycling events being a big part of the business.
Cody says he plans to mostly focus on the Fort Worth market, but there are two Dallas events in the near future. "The Four Nights, Four Decades" video art series features four screenings at The Power Station (3816 Commerce St.) at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning August 30; Martin House will pour There Will Be Stout, a "pretzel stout" (made with pretzels), and Daybreak, a lighter four-grain "breakfast beer" (inspired by breakfast cereal with barley, wheat, oats and rye) on the 6th. The Septemberfest American brown ale with smoked malts and River House Saison are likely to follow on the 13th. Denton's Armadillo Ales will serve on the 20th.
More details have emerged about The Common Table and Spune Productions' music and beer party, Untapped Festival, September 8 at the western foot of the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge, including the beer and band lineups. VIP entry ($60) is at 11 a.m., with Beer Ticket (the standard tasting card of a dozen 2-ounce samples, with additional cards at $5 apiece) and General Admission (no card but may purchase 12-ounce beers at $5 apiece) entering at 1 p.m. Givers, The Antlers and Akron/Family are the big-name headliners of the 11-band schedule. The outstanding beer lineup features rarely seen brews such as Dogfish Head 120 Minute, Deschutes Black Butte XXIV and Brooklyn 2010 Monster, along with festival exclusives collaborations and modified brews like Peticolas Vanilla Bean Velvet Hammer and new brews including Deep Ellum Sorachi Ace/Green Tea. Another new regional brewery, Cedar Creek Brewery, from Seven Points, about an hour from Dallas, will also be featured.
Of course, the Observer's Brew Fest in the Arts District follows just a week later at 7 p.m. on the 15th. Tickets are on sale now at $30 in advance and $40 day of, and VIP entrance is $60 in advance and $75 day of. VIP includes early entrance at 6 p.m., plus liquor and food samples and an air-conditioned VIP area. Cody Canada & The Departed and Kirby Brown provide the tuneage. Keep checking City of Ate for the beer lineup, which I'll post as soon as I get it.
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