Press Release:
(Fort Worth, TX) — North Texas’ award-winning brewery, Rahr & Sons, is topping off a banner seventh year with national accolades and an addition to its Fort Worth headquarters.
The new 10,000-square-foot building will primarily be used as an event space, available for rentals and also serving as the setting for the brewery’s increasingly popular Wednesday and Saturday tours. Slated to open September 17, the structure can accommodate up to 600 people, making it an ideal venue for weddings, corporate events, and other private parties.
The brewery expands following a year of notable growth in the face of adversity. Last winter, record-breaking snowfall caused the brewery’s roof to collapse, temporarily leaving Rahr without a headquarters and suspending operations. With the support of the local community, Rahr rebuilt and went on to experience banner growth in 2010 – doubling its barrelage and adding eight new Texas cities to its distribution list, including Galveston, Corpus Christi and Austin.
Along with larger distribution came bigger awards. Zymurgy, the American Homebrewers Association magazine, named Rahr the 2010 “Brewery of the Year” and fan-favorite Ugly Pug ranked top of its class at the 2011 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships. Fort Worth’s “little brewery that could” recently garnered national acclaim when its lagers were featured in The Wall Street Journal and GQ.
Rahr has come a long way since 2004, when owner Fritz Rahr decided to follow in his forefathers’ footsteps and pursue his passion for craft brewing. Initial production was small, but word of Rahr’s fine German-style craft beers spread, and a strong local following developed. Over the past seven years, Rahr has increased its brewing capacity tenfold, and its award-winning beers are now available in 15 Texas cities. In November, barrelage is expected to surpass the 20,000 mark with the addition of three new 100-barrel tanks.
“There’s no way we’d have made it this far without our talented brewmasters,” said owner Fritz Rahr. “The blend of science and artistry these guys bring to their craft is inspiring.”
Two of Rahr’s dedicated brewers – Austin Jones and Jason Lyon – studied biology in college before trading their beakers for barrels and steins. Jones, who has been home-brewing for six years, joined the Rahr Posse full-time in 2009. Louisiana native Lyons grew up touring breweries and distilleries and serves as Rahr’s resident handyman as well as a beer craftsman. The team added yet another talented brewer this spring when Craig Mycoskie came aboard. After discovering his passion for the American craft beer scene, Mycoskie attended Siebel’s World Brewing Academy in Chicago and Munich.
Rahr’s leadership credits the brewers as being as essential to Rahr as the beers themselves. “It’s always exciting to see what they’ll concoct next,” said Rahr. “We’re looking forward to many more years of innovative Texas brewing.”
About Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.
With a brewing history dating back to 1847 Wisconsin, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. made its mark on Fort Worth in 2004, thanks to the hard work of Fritz Rahr and a large group of volunteers. Since then, Rahr has increased its brewing capacity tenfold to become Fort Worth’s local, award-winning brewery. For more information, visit www.rahrbrewing.com.