Karbach Brewing Company

HOUSTON - Another new brewery is currently under development in Houston, the Karbach Brewing Company, and hopes to open sometime in 2011.

Eric Warner, originally of Colorado's Flying Dog Brewery, is rumored to be their head brewer.

The Barber Shop Opens

DRIPPING SPRINGS - The newest Texas independent brewpub, The Barber Shop, is set to open this weekend at a historic downtown location in Dripping Springs, just west of Austin.

In-house brewing operations are not yet ready but until then, the beer bar will offer a selection that favors the region's growing commercial craft breweries.

Black Star Co-op Review

AUSTIN - Austin's newest brewpub, the Black Star Co-op, was recently reviewed by Mike Sutter of the Austin American-Statesman in the piece, "Atlas chugged: The Black Star Co-op experience."

Jester King Boxer's Revenge

AUSTIN - Jester King has released their next year-round beer, Boxer's Revenge Farmhouse Provision Ale. This beer will be a Belgian-inspired, farmhouse-style "stock ale" aged in oak wine barrels and blended to taste.


Boxer's Revenge will debut at their grand opening celebration this weekend, and should appear on tap and in bottles in the following months.

North by Northwest's New Website

AUSTIN - Local Austin brewpub North by Northwest launched a newly redesigned and updated website this week. Improvements include a more modern design as well as current menu, beer and live music listings.

Circle Brewing Opens

AUSTIN - Circle Brewing Company has become the latest Austin-area brewery to begin brewing and selling commercially.

According to Emma Janzen of the Austin American-Statesman, Circle Brewing will be selling their first beers this week at the Draught House and expanding local tap accounts over the next weeks.

Texas Brewpub Legislation

AUSTIN - Two new bills have been introduced into the current state legislative session that could impact Texas brewing laws, HB 660 and HB 602.

Sponsored by San Antonio's Rep. Mike Villarreal (D), HB 660 seeks to allow brewpubs to bottle and enter distribution for off-premise consumption.

Sponsored by Houston's Rep. Jessica Farrar (D), HB 602 seeks to allow breweries to charge for tours and to give bottled beers away to paying participants for off-premise consumption. The current language of this bill does not provide for brewers to ultimately sell directly to consumers.

Jester King Wytchmaker Rye IPA

AUSTIN - Jester King has received label approval for their Wytchmaker Rye IPA, a hoppy 6.6% ABV American IPA with a rye addition that has been available only on draft until now.

Saint Arnold Growth in 2010

HOUSTON - Saint Arnold grew by 22% in 2010 despite a lagging economy, as reported by Ronnie Crocker in the Houston Chronicle piece, "Saint Arnold thrives during lukewarm times."

Also included in this piece are a few other interesting items regarding the brewery:

• The Divine Reserve No. 9, an imperial pumpkin stout, will become an annual fall seasonal named The Pumpkinator.
• Capacity for 22-oz bottles will be added this year for special releases.
• Expect two or three releases of the Divine Reserve series in 2011.

Real Ale in Imbibe Magazine

Erik Ogershok of Blanco's Real Ale Brewing was featured in part of a piece on brewing with rye in this month's Imbibe Magazine entitled, "Against the Grain."

Brock Wagner on Forbes Blog

Saint Arnold owner Brock Wagner was featured in a short interview with Forbes contributor Christopher Helman on his Southwest Bureau blog.

Poll Results 2010

Poll 20 (January): Monthly Spending for Beer?

1. $50 to $100 (45%) #2 in 2009
2. $20 to $50 (22%) #1 in 2009
3. $100 to $200 (12%)

Total 31 votes

Poll 21 (February): Best Session Beer in Texas?

1. Rahr & Sons Ugly Pug (37%) #1 in 2009
2. Spoetzl Shiner Bock (22%) #2 in 2009
3. Real Ale Fireman's #4 (20%)

Total 58 votes

Poll 22 (March): Best Beer Store in Texas?

1. Spec's (50%)
2. Central Market/Whole Foods (42%)
3. Majestics/Grapevine (14%)  

Total 14 votes

No Poll (April)

Poll 23 (May): Favorite Beer Style?

1. IPA (45%) #2 in 2009  
2. (tie) Belgian ale (22%)
   (tie) Hefeweizen (22%)

Total 31 votes

Poll 24 (June): Best Brewery in Texas?

1. (tie) Real Ale (25%) #2 in 2009
   (tie) Saint Arnold (25%) #3 in 2009
2. (tie) (512) Brewing (14%)
   (tie) Live Oak (14%) 

Total 35 votes

Poll 25 (July): Best Summertime Beer in Texas?

1. Live Oak Hefeweizen (35%) #2 in 2009
2. Saint Arnold Summer Pils (27%)
3. Real Ale Fireman's #4 (21%) #3 in 2009

Total 37 votes

Poll 26 (August): Is Spoetzl a Craft Brewery?

1. Yes (47%) 35% in 2009 
2. No (42%) 57% in 2009 
3. Depends (10%)

Total 38 votes

Poll 27 (September): Best IPA in Texas?

1. (512) IPA (37%)
2. (tie) Real Ale Lost Gold (17%) #3 in 2009
   
   (tie) Saint Arnold Elissa (17%) #2 in 2009

Total 29 votes


Poll 28 (October): Best Oktoberfest in Texas? 

1. Real Ale Oktoberfest (32%) #1 in 2009
2. (tie) Franconia Oktoberfest (21%)
   (tie) Saint Arnold Oktoberfest (21%) #2 in 2009

Total 37 votes


Poll 29 (November): Best Brewpub in Texas?

1. Freetail Brewing (68%) #1 in 2009
2. Uncle Billy's Brew & Que (15%) #1 in 2009
3. North by Northwest (10%)

Total 19 votes


Poll 30 (December): Most Anticipated New Brewer for 2011?

1. No Label Brewing (33%)
2. Austin Beerworks (25%)
3. (tie) Circle Brewing (16%)
   (tie) Kreuz Creek Brewing (16%)

Total 12 votes