If something about the city seemed different the past few days, well, that was because most, if not all, local brewers hopped over to the Mile High City for the annual Great American Beer Festival, which started last Thursday and lasted through Saturday. It's the who's who of American beer, and tickets for the event usually sell out in a matter of hours, or however fast the system can handle the throngs of crowds that camp out online to buy tickets.
Texas brewers made us proud. In all, 10 Lone Star State beers took home medals this year, including one from the quirky Texas/Indian/bar/restaurant/thingy, the Whip-In in Austin. Locally, Cedar Creek Brewing out of Seven Points, southeast of Dallas, won gold in the Belgian-Style Abbey Ale category with their Belgian Style Dubbel.
This particular beer isn't part of their regular on-the-shelf rotation, but they said, "We will brew it again in the next few weeks. We are definitely excited to get the beer out there again."
Cedar Creek recently completed a new beer garden outside of the brewery, so now seems like a fine time for a road trip. The brewery is open to the public every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m. with tours at "peak times." Pets and families are welcome; $3 pints and $4 seasonals.
Community Beer Company in Dallas won a gold medal for their Public Ale in the extra special bitter (ESB) category. Public Ale is on tap at many bars around town. From CBC's website, this beer is made with 100-percent Maris Otter English malts, a blend of English, German and American hops, and their own house-made yeast strain.
Community's Head brewer, Jamie Fulton, previously nabbed awards for his beers at the GABF when he was with The Covey in Fort Worth. The brewery, located at 1530 Inspiration Drive near downtown, hosts weekly Taproom Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.
Below is a full list of Texas winners, which include two medals for Houston's Saint Arnold's Brewing Co., and six winners from Austin. (Listed as beer, brewery, category.)
Gold Bitterama, Namaste Brewing at the Whip In, Herb and Spice Beer Black Thunder, Austin Beerworks, German-Style Schwarzbier Public Ale, Community Beer Co., Extra Special Bitter Cedar Creek Belgian Style Dubbel, Cedar Creek Brewery, Belgian-Style Abbey Ale
Silver Saint Arnold Summer Pils, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Munich-Style Helles Brewers Cut Altbier, Real Ale Brewing Co., German-Style Altbier Elba, Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, Herb and Spice Beer
Bronze Saint Arnold Weedwacker, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., German-Style Wheat Ale Atrial Rubicite, Jester King Brewery, Belgian-Style Lambic or Sour Ale Blind Jake, Pinthouse Pizza, Brown Porter
