The art of brewing has been around for centuries, but only recently has the craft beer industry really begun to boom. Breweries are popping up all over the place as more and more people turn to alternatives to macrobrews like Budweiser and Miller Lite.
We discovered what the craft beer hype is all about at a special brewery located north of Dallas on I-30 in Rockwall, TX. Here is a review of our first ever craft beer tasting experience at Woodcreek Brewing Company, guest-written by my husband Austin!
The History of Woodcreek Brewing Company
Woodcreek’s story begins in brewmaster and owner Brad Bramblett’s garage. With a background in microbiology, Bramblett combined his molecular expertise with his passion for great tasting beer. He developed multiple flavors and planned his vision for the ultimate brewery as a passion project in his suburban garage. In 2015, Bramblett invested in a bar and distillery space with the perfect rustic vibe he envisioned. He named his new space “Woodcreek” after the neighborhood where it all began.
The Brewery Atmosphere
Upon walking into Woodcreek, we were immediately captivated by its warm and friendly atmosphere. It was getting pretty packed as couples, colleagues, and families alike joined in a game of Bingo. Woodcreek hosts Bingo games every Thursday night, along with trivia on a seasonal basis. Plus, folks can enjoy some intense games of giant Jenga all the time!
The attentive bar staff go out of their way to give patrons a one-of-a-kind craft beer experience, and are on a first name basis with many of their regular customers. To enhance the passionately local spirit at Woodcreek, the brewery offers a Mug Club membership perfect for frequent patrons. Members can enjoy awesome perks like their own 22-ounce karat gold logoed mug, larger pours throughout the year, a free birthday pour, a Mug Club t-shirt, and a private brewing session.
The Craft Beer Menu
We sampled ten different craft beers, which comprises almost the whole menu at Woodcreek. Here are our thoughts on each flavor.
- Lakeside Cerveza – Those who love light beer are sure to fall in love with this Mexican-style blonde ale! I especially enjoyed the hint of lime which gave it a light and refreshing flavor. Lakeside is one of Woodcreek’s most popular brews, and a must try for fans of Corona or Miller Lite or anyone new to the craft beer scene.
- New Horizon – This American Wheat beverage had my taste buds singing with its bold orange notes and crisp citrusy flavor. Brewed with coriander and orange peel, it reminded Julie and I of Blue Moon, only with a more pronounced orange flavor that kept us coming back for more sips. Julie’s favorite of the flight, and also one of Woodcreek’s most popular brews.
- Devil’s Highway IPA – I loved the aroma of this brew, and it had the flavor to match. The slightly bitter citrus and malty body make this a solid IPA worth trying.
- Raspberry Sour – The tartness of this sour ale may have shocked my taste buds at first sip, but its fresh and fruity aftertaste instantly made it one of my top favorites of the flight. It reminded Julie of cider, but tangier.
- Forefathers – Out of all the darker beers we sampled, this one left perhaps the biggest impression on me with its spicy fruit flavor. One of the most unique-tasting beers I’ve ever tried, with a fun combination of malt and sugar undertones.
- Bourbon-Barrel Bock – This brew uses the same base flavor as Forefathers but is distilled for four to six months in bourbon barrels. You can taste the bold bourbon in every sip.
- Black Gold – This was my favorite out of the flight. This chocolatey brew sweetened with lactose sugar had me feeling warm and cozy after just a few sips. One thing’s for sure – this imperial stout would definitely be my beer of choice on a cold winter’s night.
- Vanilla Porter – The scent and taste of this American Porter brewed with fresh Madagascar vanilla beans strongly reminded me of coffee. Very rich and flavorful, with a mouthwatering aroma to boot.
- Imperial Saison – Distilled in white wine barrels, this sweet and fruity beer tastes almost like wine! This would make a perfect drink for anyone who isn’t normally a beer fan, or craft beer connoisseurs who like to try unique flavor combos.
- Bordeaux Saison – This beer is distilled in red wine produced in the Bordeaux region of southwest France. It’s an exclusive flavor only served during the month of Woodcreek’s annual anniversary party, but we got to try it a whole month early! If you want to taste it for yourself, come to the Woodcreek anniversary bash on September 15.
The Verdict: All craft beer lovers should give Woodcreek Brewing Company a try!
Woodcreek Brewing Company’s great selection of microbrews and family-friendly atmosphere make it a gem for craft beer geeks and newbies alike. If you want to know what makes craft beer so special, drop in and taste the difference!
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