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.

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.

Franconia Brewery Now Open

Texas' newest operational brewery is now the Franconia Brewery, located in McKinney. Franconia was built and owned by Dennis Wehrmann, former master brewer at the Addison Two Rows location.

Franconia will sell in draft and keg only for now. Originally planned are four beers: a light lager, a wheat ale, a third beer that will either be a kölsch or a schwarzbier, and one as yet unnamed that will be sold exclusively through the Two Rows chain.

The McKinney brewery will be run by Wehrmann and his brewer, Gavin Secchi. A website is still under development.