Summer in Texas is hot, especially in Fort Worth, and it's not getting any cooler for a while. When we think of something to cool us off we think crisp, cool, refreshing; maybe even life saving. Water? No. Tea? Maybe... if its sweet. But still, no. Think a nice, cold, revitalizing beer (if you're of legal consuming age, of course).
Fort Worth is full of culture everywhere we look. One of the best parts of that Fort Worth culture is the rising Craft Brewery scene that has formed around the city. Rahr and Sons was one of the first in the area, started by a TCU alum (Go Frogs), and from that point on, there were many more to come.
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Here's my list of a few beers you should be sipping on now:
1. Martin House Brewing Company: Daybreak
ABV: 5% / IBU: 20
Have you ever woken up and immediately thought: "man, I could use a beer." Of course not, because you're a civil human being, this isn't Animal House. But if you were in the mood to go out and grab yourself some morning brunch, this is the beer to have. Brewed with four different grains and finished off with honey, sugar, and milk, this is the perfect morning beer. And that's exactly what they were going for. The four different grains create a dry tasting beer, and topping the brewing process off with the honey, sugar, and milk give it a decadent and very sweet character matching that of a breakfast pallet. They say it's "like a sunrise in your mouth" and I couldn't think of a better way to put it. So if you're morning is needing that extra little kick, or even if you're just looking for something refreshing, grab yourself a Martin House Daybreak. (extra: throw in a "to-taste" splash of orange juice, it's delicious. trust me)
2. Rahr and Sons: Summertime Wheat
ABV: 6% / IBU: 19
There's really nothing better than a refreshing, thirst quenching wheat ale in the hot Texas summer. Brewed by a TCU alum, Rahr and Sons perfectly captures summer in a bottle. With a light, yet full body, the summertime wheat has the perfect touch of sweetness without surpassing the great character of an ale. This refreshing wheat ale has light hints of banana, clove, and, of course, wheat. It's a great brew to have if your typical pallet consists of a lot of light beers. It is mild in tartness and captures the perfect full body that wheat ales strive for. Kick back in a lawn chair, throw on some cheap shades, and optimize your summertime experience with a Rahr and Sons Summertime Wheat.
3. Revolver: Blood and Honey
ABV: 7% / IBU: 20
Revolver has created a crisp American wheat ale with the perfect full-bodied character, with hints of tang and tart from blood orange zest, then corrected by thick, sweet, local Fall Creek Farms Honey. Blood and Honey is the perfect balance between light and hoppy and a rich medium-body, with a strong 7 percent alcohol content that goes unnoticed because of the rich aroma and thick, decadent, and sweet flavors that rush to your lips from the first sip and continue to satisfy and mature until you gulp it down. Imagine the delicious flavors from a Blue Moon topped with an orange, then multiply that satisfaction by 10 fold and add the rich sweetness of honey and you have yourself a Revolver Blood and Honey. Grab yourself a draft pour at a local brew pub or just a six pack at the grocery, but keep in mind that strong 7 percent ABV as you enjoy one of Fort Worth's finest.
4. Grapevine Craft Brewery: Lakefire Rye Pale Ale
ABV: 5.5% / IBU 35
This pale ale is stepping it up from the wheat ales covered so far. With an IBU of 35, Lakefire Rye Pale Ale captures more complex characters from the hint of fruity composure to the satisfying hoppy finish. This is a medium-bodied beer that is slightly bitter with the first touch to the lips, like jumping into a cold pool on a warm day, but soon followed by the sweet aroma of the mild malty flavor. If you enjoy beers on the hoppier and slightly bitter sweet side of the spectrum, this is a great pick. The refreshing rye body keeps you sipping and wanting more on a hot summer day.
5. Rahr and Sons: Blonde Lager
ABV: 5% / IBU: 20
Leave it to a Frog to brew two of the best beers in the Fort Worth area. The blonde lager is one of Rahr and Sons' most popular beers, and rightfully so. The medium bodied beer holds a great malty character without being overwhelmingly heavy. It contains a great hint of sweetness that tops off the great wheat and malt characteristics, but doesn't overpower a traditional and almost ale-like flavor. When you first pop the top off this blonde lager it has a hint of fresh biscuit-like smell to it with a refreshing wave of malt and light grain that will have your mouth watering within seconds. The smooth taste and slight bitter flavor goes perfect with a shaded canopy overlooking a hot Texas day by the pool. So "have some fun with a blonde today!" as their website proclaims.
(Dallas Area Extra) Deep Ellum: IPA
ABV: 7% / IBU: 70
While it's not from the Fort Worth area and located in Dallas, Deep Ellum has still successfully captured one of the best craft IPAs around. Recognizable from it's punch orange and earthy green cans, this India Pale Ale (IPA) doesn't disappoint from the first sip. If you're not used to IPAs or stronger hop beers, this one will pack a punch at first taste, but then settle down to give you a refreshing beer. Taking pride in the creative bitterness crafted from a variety of American hops, Deep Ellum has captured a great pale ale with slight citrus flavors from the first touch to your lips, quickly followed by a pine and floral body. This beer is for those that enjoy the sharp bitterness of a high hop infused texture; and that's exactly what they take pride in providing.
(Dallas Area Extra) Four Corners Brewing: Local Buzz
ABV: 5.2% / IBU: 20
Four Corners Brewing put a refreshing and unique twist on their rye golden ale with a sweet and crisp honey flavor. While the honey adds a summertime feel to the beer, it still holds true to its rye characteristics and even flaunts a more bitter and hoppy body. The Local Buzz, creatively with a large bee on the can, flaunts a floral aroma when first cracked open and leads with the bitter edge of the hops and slowly meshes in the decadent honey flavors to complete the experience. The unique can also has a custom "360 End" design that allows can's top to be entirely removable, creating a 360 degree drinkablity similar to a typical draft beer in a glass. The can also opens the beer up to the air to allow the drinkers to enjoy the full aroma of the beer. I suggest letting it remain open for a few minutes to let the bitterness settle and the honey rye flavor to really open up. This beer will give you a great summertime buzz.
Enjoy Responsibly and Legally.
ABV- Alcohol by Volume
References: Miller Lite and Coors Light: 4.2%, Shiner: 4.4%
IBU- International Bitterness Unit Scale
References: Miller Lite and Coors Light: 10, Shiner: 13
