Summer Sipping: The 5 Best Craft Beers in Dallas

Photo Credit: Jenn Durfey

If you lived in Dallas in the 1970s your beer choices were pretty much either Coors or Lone Star, with maybe a Budweiser tossed in when you felt like something more exotic. Not so anymore, the craft beer business in Texas is booming and North Texas may just be the epicenter. The number of breweries in the state increased by right around 20 percent between 2013 and 2014 and some of the best can be found right here in DFW.

Many of these breweries have tastings, tours, and special events so check out the websites for more information. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday and try a few beers worthy of your time.

Rabbit Hole Brewing: Hole Lang Syne

Rabbit Hole Brewing in Justin hasn’t been around very long but they are definitely getting attention with their unique, Alice in Wonderland, brewing magic. Hole Lang Syne is a new addition to their repertoire but, in our not-so-humble opinion, maybe their best to date. This Belgian golden strong ale style brew was created for the brewery’s first anniversary. Brewed with blackberries and raspberries, this complex beer has an aroma that is sweet and sugary with the scent of berries and floral notes. The flavor? Well, it’s tart with a hint of spice mixed in with the subtle flavor of the berries.

Definitely a winner for Rabbit Hole Brewing. They are just launching a new brew, Rude Jester, which we are anxiously waiting to try.

Photo Credit: Rabbit Hole Brewing

Bearded Eel Craft Brewery: Texican

First of all, what red blooded, salsa loving Texan could resist a beer with a name like Texican?  Bearded Eel Craft Brewery is a small, nano-brewery in Fort Worth that brews small batch beers. They have a few, likelike Texican,  that are available all year, and then others that are just seasonal. This serrano infused ale has just enough heat to keep us interested plus a slight citrus tang. It’s crisp and refreshing — just right for lingering on the porch to watch the fireflies come out.

We look forward to trying more beers from this relatively new brewery.

Photo Credit: Bearded Eel Craft Brewery

Bitter Sisters Brewery: Hissy Fit

Maybe it’s the name but Hissy Fit from Bitter Sisters Brewery in Addison makes us smile. A nice Oktoberfest kind of beer with a pretty, coppery red color, Hissy Fit is a true Texas girl — sweet but packs a punch.  Malt flavor blends with nut and caramel to make this German lager full bodied and satisfying.  The brewery is the creation of one, large family and we think that the beer is infused with that big-family-crazy vibe. Whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it right.

Another Bitter Sisters Beer we’d like to try is Catfight, a grapefruit and melon concoction.

Photo Credit: Bitter Sisters Brewery

Armadillo Ale Works: Brunch Monkey

Armadillo Ale Works in Denton is perfectly willing to do mad-science experiments with their beers and it shows. Their motto is apparently, “what if?” and we are grateful for their fearless forays into the land of beer possibilities. Brunch Monkey is a golden stout with no fewer than 13 ingredients that give it one of the most unique flavors around. Coffee, vanilla, caramel, and a little honey make this malty brew perfect for… brunch? Sure, why not? It’s made with maple syrup and freshly brewed coffee and we think that perhaps someone has finally found a way to bring beer to breakfast.

The brewery suggests that migas or chicken and waffles are the perfect foods to enjoy with this unique, stout-inspired, golden ale

Photo Credit: Armadillo Ale Worls

Lakewood Brewing Co.: Bourbon Barrel Temptress

Like most women, Temptress from Lakewood Brewing Co. has a variety of different personalities (Mole, Raspberry, Sin Mint, French Quarter…) but we like Bourbon Barrel best of all. It’s a smooth and sultry milk stout with hints of vanilla, toffee, caramel, roasted coffee, and a little vanilla. There’s a faint, lingering scent of bourbon that takes this brew over the top. If it was a perfume it would be created by Yves St Laurent. Luckily it’s not a perfume but a very drinkable, very smooth beer.

There’s a temptress for your every whim.

Photo Credit: Lakewood Brewing Co