Garland, Texas boasts a thriving craft beer scene that reflects the city’s passion for quality brews and local pride. From the historic downtown area to welcoming neighborhoods, beer enthusiasts can explore a variety of taprooms and breweries offering unique flavors and experiences. Garland’s craft beer landscape features several notable establishments, including Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery, Lakewood Brewing Company, and Bankhead Brewing
These local breweries showcase a range of styles, from year-round favorites to seasonal specialties. Many operate their own taprooms, allowing visitors to sample fresh beers directly from the source. The breweries often utilize state-of-the-art equipment, such as Oak Highlands Brewery’s fully automated 30-barrel brewhouse, to craft their distinctive offerings.
Garland’s craft beer community continues to grow and evolve, with new breweries and taprooms regularly emerging. This dynamic environment ensures there’s always something new for beer lovers to discover. Whether seeking a refreshing lager, a hoppy IPA, or an experimental brew, Garland’s local craft beer scene has something to satisfy every palate.
The Rise of Craft Beer in Garland, Texas
Garland, Texas has experienced a craft beer renaissance in recent years. Local breweries have emerged, offering unique flavors and styles to beer enthusiasts.
Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery pioneered the movement, opening its doors in historic downtown Garland. Their success paved the way for other craft breweries to follow suit.
Lakewood Brewing Company, located just outside Garland, has gained regional recognition. Their popular Temptress Stout has become a local favorite.
New breweries continue to pop up across Garland, each with its own specialty:
- Bankhead Brewing: Known for traditional German-style beers
- Four Bullets Brewery: Focuses on English-inspired ales
These establishments often feature taprooms where visitors can sample fresh brews directly from the source. Many offer tours, giving patrons insight into the brewing process.
Local restaurants and bars have embraced the craft beer trend. They now stock a wide variety of Garland-brewed options alongside national craft brands.
Beer festivals and tasting events have become popular in Garland. These gatherings showcase the city’s growing brewing talent and foster community among beer lovers.
The craft beer scene has contributed to Garland’s economic growth. It has created jobs, attracted tourists, and revitalized certain areas of the city.
Discovering Garland’s Local Breweries
Garland boasts a vibrant craft beer scene with several local breweries offering unique flavors and experiences. These establishments showcase the city’s brewing talent and commitment to quality craft beer.
Lakewood Brewing Co
Lakewood Brewing Co stands out as a popular destination for beer enthusiasts in Garland. Founded in 2011, this brewery has gained recognition for its diverse range of craft beers. Their taproom offers a rotating selection of brews, including seasonal specials and year-round favorites.
Lakewood’s flagship beers include the Temptress Imperial Milk Stout and the All Call Kolsch. The brewery also produces limited-release beers that experiment with unique ingredients and brewing techniques.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the brewing facilities on weekends. The spacious taproom and outdoor beer garden provide a welcoming atmosphere for sampling Lakewood’s creations.
Intrinsic Brewing
Intrinsic Brewing combines craft beer with barbecue, offering a unique dining and drinking experience in Garland. Located in the historic downtown area, this brewpub has become a local favorite since its opening.
The brewery produces a variety of beer styles, from IPAs to stouts. Their IPO IPA, a silver medal winner at the 2019 US Open Beer Championships, is a must-try for hopheads.
Intrinsic’s taproom features 36 beers on draft, including their own brews and selections from other local and national craft breweries. The combination of house-made beers and slow-smoked barbecue creates a distinctive Texas flavor profile.
Four Bullets Brewery
Four Bullets Brewery, founded by two homebrewing friends, brings a touch of British-style ales to Garland’s beer scene. The brewery focuses on creating approachable, well-balanced beers that appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Their core lineup includes the Royal Flush Red Ale and the Black Jack Brown Ale. Four Bullets also produces seasonal and experimental brews that showcase their brewing creativity.
The taproom offers a cozy, pub-like atmosphere where visitors can sample flights or enjoy pints of their favorite Four Bullets beers. Regular events, such as trivia nights and live music, add to the brewery’s community-focused vibe.
Hemisphere Brewing Co
Hemisphere Brewing Co emphasizes creativity and quality in their craft beer offerings. This Garland brewery produces a diverse range of styles, from traditional ales to innovative flavor combinations.
Their flagship beers include the Shapeshifter IPA and the Roasted Expresso Brown Ale. Hemisphere also excels in producing seasonal and limited-edition brews that highlight unique ingredients and brewing methods.
The taproom provides a laid-back environment for sampling Hemisphere’s latest creations. Visitors can often find food trucks on-site, complementing the brewery’s beer selection with local cuisine.
Brewery Tours and Tastings
Garland’s craft beer scene offers immersive experiences through brewery tours and tastings. Visitors can explore the beer-making process firsthand and sample a variety of locally crafted brews.
Touring the Facilities
Brewery tours in Garland provide insight into the art and science of beer production. Lakewood Brewing Company opens its doors to the public on Saturdays from noon to 3 pm. For $10, guests receive a souvenir glass and four beer samples. The tour showcases the brewing equipment, fermentation tanks, and packaging lines.
Visitors learn about ingredient selection, brewing techniques, and quality control measures. Knowledgeable staff explain the differences between ales and lagers, highlighting the unique characteristics of each style. Some tours offer a glimpse into the creation of specialty brews like saisons or imperial milk stouts.
Sampling the Brews
Tasting sessions allow beer enthusiasts to experience a range of flavors and styles. Local breweries often feature flights of their signature beers, seasonal offerings, and limited-edition releases. Samples typically include light lagers, hoppy ales, and rich stouts.
Guided tastings educate participants on proper beer evaluation techniques, including:
- Appearance
- Aroma
- Taste
- Mouthfeel
Staff provide tasting notes and food pairing suggestions. Many breweries host special events featuring live music, food trucks, and exclusive beer releases to enhance the tasting experience. These gatherings foster a sense of community among craft beer lovers in Garland.
Varieties of Beer Available
Garland’s craft breweries offer a diverse selection of beers to suit different tastes. The local beer scene features traditional styles alongside innovative and experimental brews.
Ales and Lagers
Ales dominate Garland’s craft beer landscape. Hoppy IPAs showcase bold flavors and aromas. Smooth amber ales provide a balanced malt profile. Rich stouts offer roasted notes and creamy textures.
Lagers are also well-represented. Crisp pilsners quench thirst with their clean, refreshing taste. Vienna lagers deliver a subtle malt sweetness. Bocks provide a stronger malt flavor for cooler months.
Some breweries produce milk stouts, combining lactose with dark malts for a silky mouthfeel. Imperial versions amp up the alcohol content and intensity.
Specialty Brews
Garland’s brewers showcase their creativity through unique offerings. Fruited sours tantalize taste buds with tart, juicy flavors. Barrel-aged beers develop complex profiles from time spent in wood.
Saisons bring farmhouse character with spicy, dry finishes. Seasonal releases celebrate local ingredients and holiday themes. Some breweries experiment with unconventional adjuncts like herbs, spices, or even peppers.
Limited-edition brews keep locals coming back to try new flavors. Collaboration beers between Garland breweries foster community spirit and innovation in the local beer scene.
Brewpubs and Bars: Garland’s Best Kept Secrets
Garland’s craft beer scene boasts hidden gems that combine great brews with unique atmospheres. These local establishments offer diverse beer selections and memorable experiences for both residents and visitors.
Lakewood Brewing Company’s Taproom
Lakewood Brewing Company stands out as a cornerstone of Garland’s craft beer culture. Located at 2302 Executive Dr, their taproom provides a firsthand look at their brewing process. Visitors can sample a wide range of beer styles, from traditional lagers to innovative seasonal offerings.
The spacious taproom features long communal tables, encouraging a social atmosphere. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy flights to taste multiple brews or grab a pint of their favorites. Lakewood often hosts events, including brewery tours and special release parties.
Their outdoor beer garden is perfect for sunny days, allowing patrons to relax with a cold brew in hand. Food trucks frequently park on-site, offering tasty pairings for the beers.
Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery
Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery combines craft beer with Texas-style barbecue, creating a unique brewpub experience. This establishment has quickly become a local favorite, drawing in beer lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
The brewery produces a variety of beer styles on-site, ensuring fresh pours for every visit. Their tap list rotates regularly, featuring both classic styles and experimental brews. Patrons can enjoy flights to sample multiple offerings or settle in with a full pint.
Intrinsic’s smokehouse menu complements their beers perfectly. Slow-cooked meats and hearty sides provide ideal pairings for their robust brews. The rustic interior, with its wooden tables and bar, creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for guests to linger and enjoy their meals and drinks.
Pairing Local Brews with Food
Garland’s craft beer scene offers excellent opportunities to discover perfect pairings with local cuisine. The city’s breweries and eateries collaborate to create memorable flavor combinations.
Food Trucks and Local Eats
Food trucks have become integral to Garland’s craft beer culture. Many breweries partner with mobile vendors to offer diverse culinary options. Lakewood Brewing Company frequently hosts food trucks serving barbecue, tacos, and gourmet sandwiches.
Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery takes a unique approach by combining a brewery with an in-house smokehouse. Their smoked meats pair exceptionally well with their robust ales.
Local food artisans often set up at brewery events, offering artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and baked goods that complement specific beer styles.
Restaurant Pairings
Several Garland restaurants curate beer lists featuring local brews to enhance their menus. The Flying Saucer boasts an extensive selection of craft beers, including many from nearby breweries. Their knowledgeable staff can recommend pairings for each dish.
New York Pizza and Pints specializes in pairing craft beers with their signature pizzas. They offer flights of local brews to sample alongside different pizza styles.
The Whistling Pig Neighborhood Pub features a rotating tap list of local craft beers. Their menu includes beer-infused dishes, creating harmonious flavor profiles between food and drink.
Staying Informed: News and Updates
Garland’s craft beer scene thrives on timely information and community engagement. Local enthusiasts have multiple channels to stay connected with the latest happenings in the city’s brewing landscape.
Join the Community Newsletter
Beer aficionados can subscribe to Garland’s craft beer community newsletter. This digital publication delivers curated content straight to subscribers’ inboxes. It features:
• Upcoming beer releases from local breweries
• Profiles of new brewmasters and their creations
• Event announcements for tastings and festivals
• Exclusive interviews with industry experts
The newsletter often includes special discount codes for subscribers. These offers can be redeemed at participating bottle shops and taprooms across Garland.
Bottle Shop Releases
Garland’s bottle shops serve as hubs for the latest craft beer releases. Many shops maintain active social media presences to keep customers informed. They post about:
• New arrivals from local and regional breweries
• Limited edition and seasonal offerings
• Tasting notes and staff recommendations
• Pre-order opportunities for highly anticipated releases
Some shops host weekly or monthly release events. These gatherings allow beer enthusiasts to sample new products and meet fellow craft beer lovers. Bottle shops often collaborate with local breweries to offer exclusive releases, fostering a strong sense of community among Garland’s beer scene.
