Dallas and Fort Worth may fight like cats and dogs, but hey, who can’t share a little good will and spread a bit of cheer over some suds? For the first time ever in North Texas, two breweries, Rahr & Sons Brewing Company of Fort Worth and Lakewood Brewing Company of Garland, are doing just that, crafting a special, limited edition beer that combines their unique styles. Breaking the mold among local brewers, their new Belgian-inspired Dubbel Ale is called DFW: A Collaboration of Two Breweries.
With an ABV of 6.4 percent, DFW will make its debut during North Texas Beer Week (October 31 – November 9). It will be available on draft at area taps and will be sold at local retailers in 22 oz. bottles beginning the week of October 27. “We are so excited to announce this collaboration,” said Fritz Rahr, owner of Rahr & Sons. “When we started talking about doing this, Lakewood seemed like it was a natural fit for us. Rahr & Sons and Lakewood are two breweries specializing in unique, well-known craft brews.”
It’s not like the two aren’t related to some extent. Lakewood owner and founder Wim Bens began his brewing career at Rahr & Sons. “I’m very excited to team up with Rahr & Sons to create a beer that showcases the heritage of both our breweries,” said Bens. “This is the first time two Texas production breweries have ever collaborated on a beer, so that makes it even more special.” To create a beer that encapsulates their unique styles, both breweries went back to their roots for inspiration. With a strong German background and 160-plus years of brewing tradition in his blood, Rahr decided to contribute a blend of German malts. Bens, a native of Belgium, added Belgian yeast and candi sugar. The result is a malty and sweet Belgian-style ale for easy drinking, according to the two breweries. Collaboration beers, although new to North Texas, are not uncommon in other parts of the country and around the world.