With North Texas having recently celebrated the opening of its tenth production brewery, Saturday afternoons have never been busier. As many as nine different breweries now offer tours on any given weekend, with start times ranging from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Given the proximity of some, and seeing as how the last brewery doesn't close its doors until 5 p.m., thoughts naturally turn to how best to explore more than one brewery in a single day. It's a far cry from a time not so long ago, when the only two breweries in the Metroplex sat a full 60 miles apart.
Introducing the Dallas Brew Bus.
The brainchild of Dallas Brew Scene (DBS) founders Jordan Moon and the husband-and-wife team of Matt and Vanessa Dixon, the Brew Bus sets off on its inaugural guided brewery tour on Saturday, February 23 at 11:30 a.m. Stops at Lakewood and the Community Beer Company will be on the agenda, as will exclusive Saturday access to the brewhouse at Four Corners. Ticket prices are set at $50 (available by way of Eventbrite), which gets you transportation, four samples at each brewery and a commemorative snifter glass. As an added bonus, riders on the maiden voyage will be treated to on-board snacks provided by LUCK, a soon-to-be craft beer inspired kitchen and bar concept currently scouting locations in the city of Dallas.
To start, buses will run monthly, with demand guiding a possible move to bi-monthly tours down the road. Future plans also call for private parties, customizable routes, and expanded scheduling to provide coverage for every local brewery.
According to Matt Dixon, this venture is the next logical step in the realization of goals he and his co-founders set when they first started DBS in 2011. Through Brew Bus and other activities, the group seeks to "facilitate growth in the DFW craft beer scene through education and interaction." Efforts to that end have included their behind-the-scenes involvement in Dallas Beer Week, along with the organization and hosting of special events at Henry's Tavern and the Peticolas Brewing Company.
Going forward, look for the DBS crew to make regular appearances on Bottoms Up Dallas, a live online broadcast devoted to craft beer, and to provide beer-centric content to Jack on the Web, a landing spot for all things local, run by Jack FM and CBS Local Media.
On that note, "local" is a key element in all of this. In creating the Dallas Brew Bus, Dixon points to it as an avenue to bring people together in support of local beer and breweries. Along the way, he hopes to provide a fun and educational atmosphere that encourages everyone to get out and become more active in the craft beer community.
Besides, at least as far as Dallas and the surrounding area is concerned, local beer is good beer. And, "drink local"? That's been the working motto of DBS from day one.
Social media connections:
Facebook: Dallas Brew Scene, Dallas Brew Bus
Twitter: @DallasBrewScene, @DallasBrewBus
Have a comment, critique, or just want to talk about great beer? Contact me via email at planocraftbeer@yahoo.com, or follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
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