Accident at Franconia Brewing

McKINNEY - A fermentor ruptured under pressure and was blown through an interior wall yesterday at Franconia Brewing, injuring several people.

Two visitors were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred minutes after the regular Saturday tour concluded, with about 100 visitors still on-site. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Photo: Winston Edwards (Connoissaurus)

Franconia employees were treated for only minor injuries. No word yet on when the brewery will be operational once again.

Lone Pint Brewery Under Development

MAGNOLIA - The Lone Pint Brewery has moved into the construction phase, with production equipment to be delivered this summer.

Owner and brewer Trevor Brown anticipates their first commercial batch to be available in August.

Union Bear Opens

DALLAS - Union Bear opened this week in the West Village area of Dallas, sporting 40 craft beer taps and plans to operate as a nanobrewery.

The latest venture from the owner of Eno's Pizza Tavern in the Bishop Arts district, Union Bear will dedicate at least one tap to beers brewed on-site. Brewing equipment is still being set up but they expect to have their first beer ready within two months.

Darkside Moving to Production Facility

SAN MARCOS - Darkside Fermentation, the in-house brewing operation of the Root Cellar Cafe & Brewery, is leaving to establish its own production brewery.

Darkside Fermentation will end its association with the Root Cellar at a second anniversary block party on February 11th. One of the goals of the celebration is to reduce the present stock as much as possible to make way for the Root Cellar's new brewer and new beers.

Darkside Fermentation plans to have their facilities open in San Marcos before the end of this year.