Karbach Sympathy for the Lager

HOUSTON - New brewer Karbach Brewing Company just received approval for their labels of Sympathy for the Lager, which may indicate the brewery is close to beginning commercial brewing.

Of note, this is the first Texas beer label seen to include the QR code on the label for the product.

Middleton Brewing Opens

WIMBERLEY - Middleton Brewing became the most recent independent craft brewery in Texas this month and are now licensed to sell to the public.

Owner and brewer Dennis Middleton also operates a homebrewing supply retail store adjacent to the brewery, and is frequently the focal point for area club meetings and instructional events. A grand opening celebration is planned for August 20th.

Spec's to Open in North Texas

DALLAS - Houston-based chain Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods has plans to open two or three stores in the greater Dallas area, with the first opening before the end of the year.

Currently with 93 stores and a goal of expanding state-wide, North Texas is the last major metro area in Texas without any Spec's locations.

Pecan Street Brewing Opens

JOHNSON CITY - Pecan Street Brewing became the latest independent Texas brewpub to open earlier this month in Johnson City. A formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for August 27th.

Freetail Suspends Location Search

SAN ANTONIO - Freetail Brewing has suspended indefinitely its plans for a second brewpub location, citing "an increasing level of resistance in capital markets."

Owner and brewer Scott Metzger had previously announced plans to expand this past spring, with Houston being the location of choice.

Saint Arnold Santo

HOUSTON - Saint Arnold will release a new beer, Santo, on September 1st as reported recently by Craft Austin. This beer will be a limited-run dark koelsch-style ale around 4.9% ABV.

Rumors suggest this may be the beginning of a new series of limited-release beers by Saint Arnold, but no official word has yet been released.

Big Texan Opens Brewpub

AMARILLO - The Big Texan Steak Ranch, the Route 66 steak house made famous for its offer of a free 72-ounce steak to anyone who can finish it, has added licensed brewing operations to its restaurant.

The addition effectively makes the Big Texan the state's newest brewpub. Restaurant co-owner and homebrewer Danny Lee is initially offering six beers to customers using a partial mash/DME system, with plans for expansion to 900 square feet of dedicated brewing space.

Franconia Plans to Bottle

MCKINNEY - Franconia Brewing is developing plans for a bottling format to include special 1-liter flip-top returnable bottles, according to Jesse Hughey of the Dallas Observer.

Several North Texas liquor stores have agreed to participate in the environmental-friendly bottle program but negotiations with larger retailers continues. Franconia bottles are expected to be available before the end of the year.

ABInBev Buys Area Codes for Beer

Anheuser-Busch (ABInBev) has applied for federal trademarks for metropolitan area codes around the US, including "713" for Houston and "214" for Dallas.

ABInBev already own Goose Island Beer Company, which makes a 312 craft beer named after a local Chicago area code. The brewery may be preparing to release their own competing products in local markets under these region-specific brand names.

Flix Brewhouse Opens

ROUND ROCK - The Flix Brewhouse movie-tavern opened this week to show first-run movies and provide a full-service restaurant with an on-site brewpub as well as a selection of craft beers.

Independence Brewing's head brewer Justin Rizza is leaving his position with the Austin brewery and will be running the Round Rock brewpub operations. Flix should be brewing and selling their own house beers within a few weeks.