Texas Brewing Legislation Fails

AUSTIN - All three pending bills in the State House of Representatives were left to expire as the current Texas legislative session ended this week.

House bills HB 602, HB 660 and HB 2436 all dealt with modest modifications to the state's TABC codes for selling beer directly to the public. HB 660 and HB 2436 were left pending in committee, whereas HB 602 successfully passed committee but was never placed on the calendar. None were ever scheduled for a vote on the House floor.

Austin Beerworks Opens

AUSTIN - The newest Texas craft brewer opened this weekend, with Austin Beerworks officially pouring its first beers commercially at the Texas Craft Beer Fest in Waco.

Along with a fully updated website, Austin Beerworks plans to bypass bottling operations and sell only canned beers for the Austin area and eventually state-wide.

Twisted X Brewing Opens

CEDAR PARK - Twisted X Brewing Company became the newest independent Texas brewery at an Austin event this week (official opening, May 5th -- Cinco de Mayo).

Twisted X Brewing is located in Cedar Park just outside of Austin and plans to produce several beers with a "Tex-Mex" flair.

Double Horn Brewing Opens

MARBLE FALLS - The Double Horn Brewing Company brewpub opened this week in the Hill Country just northwest of Austin.

New Republic Brewing Opens

COLLEGE STATION - The New Republic Brewing Company has become the latest craft brewery to open commercially in Texas, now fully licensed.

Draft products will be available as soon as this weekend, with bottles to follow after a few months.

World of Beer to Open in Arlington

ARLINGTON - Florida-based beer-bar chain World of Beer plans to open its first Texas location in south Arlington, scheduled for August 2011.