community beer company 2nd anniversary

By Chris Davidson

I was able to attend last year's 1st Anniversary bash at Community Beer Company and had a blast, so when Matt mentioned that he wouldn't be able to make it and asked me to go in his stead, I jumped at the chance. Anyone who has visited Community before knows how large the taproom and indoor brewing areas are - and it's a good thing. People came in droves to toast the second year of Community's success. Long lines of thirsty beer lovers snaked among the brewer's massive tanks, oak barrels and shipping pallets. I guess it's no longer a secret that Community makes some of the best beer in North Texas.

Two years really flew by. I remember when I first heard about the new brewery while at The Libertine. I ordered an Inspiration and immediately realized that these guys were not playing around. The party they threw this past weekend was a testament to what they've accomplished and it offered a glimpse into what may/will come. In addition to the greatest hits (yes, they have those a mere two years in), a slew of special brews showed off what these guys are capable of.

Brett's Get It On

The Brett's Get It On (the special 2 Year Anniversary beer) was light, fruity and funky. Although not a session beer at 6.6% ABV, this one was extremely refreshing and the crisp Citra hops paired with the funky Brettanomyces yeasts didn't get old.

Official 2 Year Anniversary Beer: Brett's Get It On

The Un-official mascot of the 2 Year Anniversary

Community knows how to throw a party. Kick drum thumps and country/roots rock riffs from two great local bands (Foxtrot Uniform and The Hazardous Dukes) bounced around the crowded, cavernous warehouse. Local vendors sold everything from art to lamps to t-shirts while those taking a break from the tasting lines signed a giant cinder block wall.

Foxtrot Uniform performs

Outside, food trucks lined the perimeter and a giant tent housed a t-shirt screen press and even more beers (like the Public Enemy #1 - a delicious double ESB that's aged in a White Burgundy barrel with a tart cherry finish). The Mosaic White also impressed. It's a blend of the Witbier and Mosaic IPA where the spices or the Wit match perfectly with the forward hops in the Mosiac.

Witbier blended with Mosaic IPA

The 2nd Anniversary bash was everything it should have been: loud, crowded, funky, boozy and fun. Community has found it's way into this community's heart by making great beer, sharing their passion and embracing Dallas. If the past two years are any indication, we have many things to look forward to in the years to come.

Chris Davidson is a guest blogger for Stay Hoppy Dallas. Follow him on Twitter.

For more information on the Dallas beer scene, check out You Stay Hoppy Dallas on Facebook and Twitter.

Batman makes an appearance

community 2 year anniversary party

Your favorite community beer slingers are turning two years old and they are working overtime in order to throw a party to end all parties before it. With 30 different beers, 11 beer stations, 3 live bands and food trucks, you won't want to miss this one.

NOTE: Ticket prices increase Saturday 1/17 so be sure to buy quickly!

FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/854780421252974/

Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/community-beer-company-2883058119

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2015

Time: Noon - 6pm 

Location: Brewery (1530 Inspiration Drive, Dallas, TX 75207)

A lot of special beers will be pouring during the event, ones you probably won't be able to get anywhere else.

2nd Anniversary Beer

Brett's Get It On - American Pale

Dry Hopped with Centennial, Citra and Motueka (New Zealand) hops

100% Brettanomyces fermentation

~6% abv

Six barrel aged beers, including a Community favorite:

Bourbon Barrel Aged Glenstemmons

Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy

Aged in bourbon barrels

~9.8% abv

Pilot batch created by two assistant brewers:

Amateur Hour

Belgian Saison

Four (perhaps more) Firkins, including:

Mandarina Legion Firkin

Legion Imperial Stout with Mandarina hops (zesty) and Centennial hops

Raspberry Legion Firkin

Legion Imperial Stout with organic raspberry puree

Jamie's (head brewer) Station - A station dedicated to pouring beers brewed by Jamie to commemorate the birth of his children (specially brewed to age 21 years of course)

Fritz Reserve

Imperial Amber

11.6% abv

Jack's Reserve

Barleywine

10% abv

Minivan (because, minivans y'all!)

Wheat Wine

10.8% abv

And those are just SOME of the special beers that will be poured. Ticket prices will increase Saturday (1/17) so be sure to buy quickly!

For more information on the Dallas beer scene, check me out on Facebook and Twitter.

Sexy Barrels

Dogs are welcome to the party as well

lone star taps & caps - game changer in the north texas beer scene

North Dallas has never been quite the craft beer destination like the downtown area (with the occasional exceptions like Holy Grail Pub or Jack Mac's) but Father-Son duo Sam and Tariq (Rick) Ali are changing that with their newly opened Lonestar Taps & Caps growler shop, located at 121 and Josey. Taps & Caps is the sibling shop to Lonestar Beverages, their craft beer store that has fast become one of the best bottle shops in North Texas (if not the best). Taps & Caps, however, is a game changer.

50 taps? Check.
Growlers? Check.
Flights? Check.
Pints? Check.
TV? Check.
Live keg readout? Check.
Create-your-own-six-packs? Check.
Crowlers? Check.
 - If you don't know what a crowler is, Taps & Caps is only the second in Texas to get it, and it's pretty freaking awesome. 32 oz cans filled and capped before your very eyes. Little to no oxidation and better control over CO2 leakage makes these bad boys great stocking stuffers (or Shotgun Friday candidates).

Not only do they fill gr(cr)owlers, you can get flights or pints of beer here too. Just be mindful that they are still young, new and very busy already and are still working out early life kinks. Sam and Rick are passionate about what they do and about beer, and it shows in the level of detail they put into the place. Even the flight boxes are handmade.

If you're in North Dallas, you owe it to yourself to check out Taps & Caps. Cheers!

For more information on the Dallas Beer Scene, check me out on Facebook and Twitter.

top dallas beer releases of 2014

As the new year has rolled around, now is a good time to reflect on all of the great beer Dallas has given us over the past year. It seemed to be a year of experimentation and bravery with new hop varieties, barrel aging and gaining confidence. As I am the only person doing this blog right now, it's damn near impossible to taste every single release, but I did my best to keep up.

Now if your brewery/beer didn't make this list, it doesn't mean I didn't like your beer(s), these are just the ones that really stood out and wow'd me. Also remember, this is COMPLETELY subjective, and I would love to hear from y'all as well on what YOUR favorites were!

Lakewood Lions Share II

This Berliner Weisse was perfectly tart and had a beautiful color with the addition of barrel aging with black currants. This was a close one as my favorite release of 2014.

Community Legion
9.99% abv, this one was a huge beer, boasting huge aromas of vanilla and chocolate and hints of an alcohol bite. A bit of residual sweetness made this one almost chewable. I didn’t get a chance to try the Bourbon Barrel release, but I heard it was fantastic.

Grapevine Sir Williams

This one caught some flack on social media, first being honored with the best NTX beer of the Big D magazine but then getting called out by a blogger (they’re the worst aren’t they!?) as being overrated. Then, almost like a slap in that blogger’s face, gets honored with a gold medal at GABF. Well deserved in my opinion. On draft, this one gives off huge toasty aromas with hints of toffee and a slightly earthy hoppiness from the English hops used.

Rabbit Hole Off With Your Red

Hoppy Imperial Red with a similar hoppy profile to Peticolas’ Velvet Hammer...what’s not to love? It was even more divine from a cask.

Peticolas Thrilla in Brazilla
One of the most exciting world cups in a while deserved an equally exciting beer, and soccer loving brewery Peticolas delivered with an IPA boasting huge tropical fruit aromas and an intense hoppy bitter finish.

Deep Ellum Oak Cliff Coffee Ale

One of the most well known breweries in Dalls paired with one of the best coffee roasters, delivering a smooth oatmeal brown with huge coffee notes on the nose with hints of chocolate.

Four Corners Peppercorn Pale
Released during NTX Beer Week 2014, this pale boasted floral notes from the hops, but also fruity aromas from the pink peppercorns. The finish on this beer was dry with just a hint of peppercorn bite. Not spicy, but just a nice bite, like after chewing on a peppercorn.

Rabbit Hole Hole Lang Syne

Many were lucky enough to ring in the new year with a bottle of this effervescent Belgian Golden strong ale brewed with blackberries and raspberries, which gave the brew a complexity and tartness that made me crave more.

Franconia Triple Dunkel
One of Franconia’s most popular beers was brewed with triple the amount of everything, giving the public one of their best beers boasting huge chocolate and caramel aromas and a velvety smoothness. at 10% abv, this one hid the alcohol to a dangerous degree. Coming out of their 200 year old wooden keg left me speechless.

And my favorite release of 2014 is...

Lakewood Bourbon Barrel Temptress

Silky smooth, sweet as suga and the smell of bourbon just put this one over the top. An amazing beer by all accounts.

I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us. Cheers!

For more information on the Dallas beer scene, follow me on Twitter and Facebook.