Community Beer Company [Dallas]

For my Minnesota readers, this area of Dallas is not unlike Northeast Minneapolis, now complete with a few breweries. There is a certain gritty charm about the neighborhood and those who flock to it. If I lived in Dallas, I’d live here.

Community Beer Company was founded by Kevin Carr and he graciously took some time to sit down with me and my local expert, Airon. While drinking a Regalement, their winter seasonal, Kevin explained how happy he was with the neighborhood and the building. “We have plenty of room to expand” he says, while still being so close to downtown.

Community opened its doors in January of this year and the demand for their beer has only risen. Texans could only get their beer in kegs and directly from the brewery until the last few weeks when the brewery started bottling on a very modest bottling and packaging line.

Kevin’s vision for a community gathering place is evident when you talk to him, although the space is less than intimate. The company is interested in local artists, philanthropy, and fellowship among neighbors.

Even since new laws in June allow taprooms, the taproom idea hasn’t taken the city by storm they way it did in Minneapolis. Plans are underway, however, for a taproom at Community, providing for a beer experience more in line with these values. It is a very exciting time to love beer in Texas!

Fortunately for the entire brewing community, the biggest focus for Community is the quality of the beer. The guys behind the business each came with a different background and approach, and Kevin began the love affair as a homebrewer, quickly becoming very interested in brewing and bringing quality beer to Dallas, his hometown. He set his sights on a very experienced brewer, Jamie Fulton, formerly of The Covey Restaurant and Brewery, who has been involved in beer endeavors throughout Dallas for years. Joined by microbiologist Aric Hulsey and development specialist Mike DeMarco, the team consistently delivers top-notch beer.

Besides their new bottling line, taproom, and upcoming anniversary, what is on the horizon for Community? They plan to host more local events, including a beer school which reveals their passion for beer education.

Year-round beers from Community include several well-decorated brews. Look for their Mosaic IPA, Public Ale, Vienna Lager, Community Witbier, Inspiration Ale, Trinity Tripel, and Community Pale Ale year-round.

The winter seasonal, Regalement, that we tried was from last winter and the aging process had been very kind!. It was spicy and complex with a nice depth of malt without being sweet.

And, what is going on with the barrels sitting around the brewery, looking majestic? Inside is Community’s first anniversary beer to be released in January.

A visit to Dallas absolutely should include a visit to Community, or at the very least a few pints of Community beer. I was happy to bring some Mosaic IPA home to Minnesota to share with my beer-loving friends.

#traveltexas