Commentary. I recently had the opportunity to attend the maiden voyage of the The Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park. This was an event committed to furthering the cause of the craft beer industry and no less than 60 independent breweries were present to pour two-ounce samples of their finest broth. Craft beer stalwarts such as Spoetzl and the New Belgium Brewing Company were in attendance promoting their newest fare – much of which was well received (I’m thinking Dig by New Belgium) – but my attention was drawn to those creative, delightful and somewhat sinister batches that originated in the hinterlands of the beer fiefdom. These are three beers that fondly captured my interest as I meandered enthusiastically about the hallowed grounds of the Fair Park Automobile Building with my pad and pen in tow.
Small Batch 471 IPA (Breckenridge Brewery) – Breckenridge Brewery had a neatly run exhibit. As I approached the the counter to grab a sample, I couldn’t help but think I was only going to taste another smarmy effort mired in redundancy. No way. I had just sipped the Small Batch 471, a man’s IPA and a well constructed blend that is both bold and floral, with an unexpectedly tart finish. Breckenridge describes this limited edition ale as an IPA to separate “the weak from the strong.” The floral insanity is derived from Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe and Fuggles Hops.
Boxer’s Revenge (Jester King Craft Brewery) – This was the first station I roamed to that had a 10-minute line just to reach the sampling area. My interest was immediately piqued. Immediately after tasting Boxer’s Revenge, my jaw dropped and saliva fell to the floor. If the brain is the mind’s eye, and the tongue is beer-tasting’s nose, then this beer just inserted Peperoncini Peppers into my nose. I found out later that what I was tasting was a barrel-aged wild ale loaded with “tropical fruit and funk with a tart earthy edge.” Although truly created sans peppers, I can’t help but describe Boxer’s Revenge as a pepper fest for your mouth. Your eyes may water and your nose may start running after you drink this thing. Unique beyond your imagination.
Billy’s Chillies (Twisted Pine Brewing) – Just when I thought Boxer’s Revenge was the sickest beer I’ve ever tasted, I had this one and it is truly the spicefest that I originally mistook Boxer’s Revenge for. You can actually smell the aromatic pepper fumes before the beer even reaches your lips. Whereas Boxer’s Revenge does not have a lasting aftertaste, you can taste the spice from Billy’s Chillies in your pallet long after the beer has entered your rotten food balloon. If you don’t have a chance to try this beer, imagine being punched in the nape and then having blenderized chillis mixed with light ale sprayed down your throat with a RoundUp applicator. The late Steve Irwin would have simply taken a sip and said, “Whammo!
I tasted dozens of other beers and many of them were great. If you are aiming to sample some unique craft beers I would begin with this list, and then move on to some of the batches made by No Label Brewing Company, Lakewood Brewing Company (they weren’t pouring at the festival but they have some insane stuff that is about to hit the streets), and North Coast Brewing Co. If my personal enjoyment were to be used as a measuring stick, then the Big Texas Beer Fest was a huge success. It was the first time I can remember so many great craft brewers converging on one space in Dallas, and I hope they do it again soon.
