Spec’s appreciates Texas brews, and strives to offer great beers in every possible form. In some cases, that means keg-only offerings. Although there’s been a recent, explosive growth of great Texas breweries, many of them do not have bottling equipment and a limited distribution radius.
While individual bottles from these breweries may be missing from the Spec’s shelves, it’s easy to order them at the stores for special-occasion keg parties and kegerators. Draft-exclusive beers make an awesome addition to any garden party!
Here’s a list of local keg-only brews for several Spec’s regions. To get a taste of one of these great brews, call ahead to your local store – if it’s not on-hand, they can special-order a keg for you!
In the Dallas-Fort Worth Area:
Peticolas Brewing is a very new entry to the Texas craft beer market, with their first production run in 2012. They currently produce three ales year-round, with occasional seasonal releases.
Revolver Brewing, another recent brewery, is located in Granbury, TX. They regularly produce two ales as well as a bock-style beer. Their Blood & Honey wheat ale is produced with blood orange zest and local honey.
Fire Wheel, based in Rowlett, TX, also focuses on ales and specialty brews.
Franconia, in contrast to the ale-based breweries, has two lagers – a Dunkel and German-style – and a wheat beer in their basic roster.
In the Houston Area:
Buffalo Bayou has spent the last couple of years crafting a variety of tasty ales, stouts, and IPAs, including their flagship 1836 Ale.
Fort Bend Brewing offers blonde and Belgian-style ales, as well as an IPA and a stout in their great lineup.
8th Wonder currently boast three ales in their lineup – all of which combine the best aspects of a few different ales into exciting new brews.
In the Austin Area:
Live Oak is the granddaddy of keg-only breweries. Their excellent lineup of easy-drinking craft beers makes for a great experience, satisfying the tastes of neophytes and experienced craft drinkers alike.
(512) Brewing may occasionally bottle special releases of their bigger, more intense beers, but their regular rotation has always been sold exclusively in kegs. These are generally more complex beers crafted with an eye for pairing potential over sessionability.
Thirsty Planet Brewing has a West Coast influence. They offer innovative and experimental brews, with a seasonal lineup that includes a Double IPA and a smoked porter. Of course, that’s not to say that their Thirsty Goat and Yellow Armadillo brews aren’t delicious.
Circle Brewing has quietly been making some of the best beer in Austin since 2010. Their commitment to simplicity and quality traditional ingredients makes theirs some of the most reliably delicious beers on the local scene.
Whatever you’re craving from a keg, the experts at Spec’s can help you pick just the right brew for any bash!
Submitted by Levi Castello in Austin
