ETBrews Update:

Yeah, yeah, we said June.

But here’s the deal: the ETBrews relaunch isn’t canceled. It’s just packing its bags. Because before we pour the next chapter, we’re checking a big one off the bucket list.
We’re going to Oktoberfest.

Live from Munich. Steins. Pretzels. Lederhosen optional.

The full relaunch is still coming. Cleaner, bigger, bolder, and more East Texas than ever. But first, we drink.

Prost, y’all.

 

 

Craft beer isn’t dying. Let’s start there.

Yes, closures outpaced openings across the U.S. last year for the first time in decades. Yes, Texas saw production dip. But this isn’t a crash. It’s a course correction.

The boom years brought thousands of breweries to life. Some amazing, some mediocre, some hanging on by vibes alone. Now the market’s maturing. Breweries that can brew great beer and create a strong community around it? Those are still going strong.

In Texas, we’ve seen a slowdown but not a collapse. Some cities lost long-standing taprooms. Costs have gone up. Consumer tastes have shifted. And a lot of small-town breweries found out that passion doesn’t always pay the rent. But when beer is paired with purpose, when it revitalizes neighborhoods and brings people together, it still works. Especially out here in East Texas.

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East Texas: Our Craft Beer Story Keeps Pouring

Out here in the Piney Woods, the craft beer boom never felt like a trend. It felt personal. We weren’t chasing hype. We just wanted a good beer close to home.
And now? 

That dream’s reality.

Marshall: Rüeggenbach Brewing Co. opened its doors during the Christmas parade in 2023 and wowed the community with their beautiful facilities, delicious food, and great beers. It's housed in the old fire station and features a rooftop beer garden, small-batch brews, and beer taps built into a vintage hydrant. It’s community storytelling in pint form.

Tyler: True Vine continues to be the gold standard for live music, outdoor hangs, and family-friendly energy. Down the road, ETX Brewing pours award-winning beers like their silver-medal Dunkel, paired with hot food and hometown vibes.

Longview: Oil Horse Brewing offers gluten-removed beers in a welcoming taproom with board games, acoustic nights, and regulars who treat you like kin.

Winnsboro: Cypress Creek Southern Ales may be tiny. Operated by a husband-and-wife duo on a single-barrel system. But their Belgian-inspired beers and intimate taproom bring a loyal crowd. It's proof that passion still scales.

Sulphur Springs: BackStory Brewery, perched right off the courthouse square, balances a great food menu with creative brews and regular community events.

Texarkana: Pecan Point Brewing and Redbone Magic anchor the downtown beer scene, with rotating house taps and true “beer on both sides of the border” energy.

Carthage: Yep. Even Carthage has a brewery now. Grind & Grain Beverage Co. proves there’s no town too small for a little local pride in a pint glass.

Athens: Athens Brewing Company sits right on the square, serving up house-made craft beer and local flavor in a historic downtown building. It's the kind of place where your bartender might know your dog’s name.

Cedar Creek (Seven Points): Cedar Creek Brewery has been in the game since 2012, offering award-winning beers, a laid-back beer garden, and one of the most family-friendly setups in East Texas. Come for the Belgian Blonde, stay for the vibe.

Nacogdoches: Fredonia Brewery keeps the taps flowing in the oldest town in Texas with local vibes, live music, and a killer patio.

Lufkin: Rusty Axe Brewing is putting Lufkin back on the craft beer map with a laid-back taproom, rotating house brews, and a growing local following.

Are some places closing? Sure. Angelina Brewing in Lufkin shut its doors. Anvil Brewing in Pittsburg is no longer pouring. Gilmer Brewing had to call it. But those closures didn’t happen because people stopped caring. They happened because craft beer is still hard. The ones left standing are adapting, refining, and serving their people better than ever.

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Shreveport-Bossier: Our Backyard Bonus

Just across the border, Great Raft, The Seventh Tap, and Flying Heart keep the Louisiana-side scene alive and well. Even with Red River Brewing closing last year, the community support in Shreveport-Bossier is strong. And for many of us, it’s all part of the same craft beer family.

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Why I’m Still Hopeful

Here’s the truth. The craft beer industry isn’t as explosive as it was five years ago. But that’s not a bad thing. What we’re seeing now is clarity. Purpose. Heart.

East Texas brewers aren’t chasing trends. They’re restoring old buildings, hosting trivia nights, sponsoring fundraisers, and building places where neighbors become friends. They’re not just selling beer. They’re creating spaces for connection.

And maybe that’s the future of craft beer. Smaller, more personal, and deeply local. Not trying to be everywhere. Just trying to matter somewhere.

Out here, we still believe in that. And as long as the lights are on at your local taproom and there’s a familiar face behind the bar, the craft beer spirit is alive and well.

Sláinte.

Joel Patrick Heflin

Great Raft 318 in the Lone Star State

     It seems like it was yesterday, but over 3 years ago Great Raft Brewing brought their lineup of beers to our market and East Texas has never been the same. The ability to grab a six pack of Commotion from just about any gas station or grocery store changed the beer game for many of us. Great Raft already felt like they were part of our East Texas craft beer family but bringing their beer to our market solidified that relationship. Great Raft beers are now distributed across the region in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.

We are happy to report they are shaking things up again! Great Raft Brewing is bringing their wildly popular 318 Golden Ale to the East Texas market. If you are not familiar 318 is their light, refreshing beer brewed with local honey and orange peel. It was originally launched exclusively in the 318 area code in March of 2018 and, according to Great Raft, almost immediately became their most popular beer throughout North Louisiana. Since the launch Great Raft has brewed and packaged over 1,200 barrels of 318 Golden Ale. To put that into perspective that equals nearly 300,000 pints of beer!

Being the only production brewery in Northwest Louisiana, Great Raft set out into the craft beer community “with one goal in mind - to share our beer across the region and create a craft beer culture within the community we serve. Since 2016, East Texas has been a part of that broader community and Great Raft Brewing has been very active in local events and fundraisers, while spreading the craft beer gospel”

East Texas Brews attended the November, 2016 launch parties at Rotolo’s, Lone Star Icehouse and Bootlegger’s in Longview and Charlie’s Backyard in Marshall. Great Raft also had launch parties in Tyler at Razoo's, Old Chicago, Jul’s, Rose City Draft House. From the start Great Raft showed East Texas they were serious about being a part of our community. Despite not being available in the East Texas market 318 Golden Ale still found a way to many a fridge and cooler in the Piney Woods. We certainly muled our fair share back from the Bayou State. Great Raft Brewing has been producing quality beers in Shreveport, Louisiana since 2013. As soon as they opened Shreveport’s first local brewery taproom in December of that year East Texans have been pouring over the state line to hang out at the brewery and enjoy a few pints.

When asked why Great Raft would now bring their formerly 318 area code exclusive beer to East Texas they had this to say:

“And really, as much as folks may not like to admit it, East Texas and Northwest Louisiana are more alike than different. While there may be a state border separating our identities, we actually share something in common - the type of beer we like to drink. The majority of people in our corner of the world like to drink beer that tastes like...well...beer. 318 Golden Ale is our answer for people who ask for a no frills, easy-drinking beer. We wanted to share this light, local, full-flavored option with more consumers who will really appreciate it.

And ultimately, the consumers drove our decision to finally send 318 Golden Ale across state lines and out of the area code. We have a lot of fans from East Texas who visit the tasting room often and ask if we would ever consider selling it outside of the 318 Area Code. Instead of hauling it back “Smokey and the Bandit” style, fans will now have options throughout East Texas to purchase locally.”

The ties between Great Raft and East Texas are stronger than ever. For example last year the East Texas Homebrewers Guild brewed a collaboration beer with Great Raft. This beer was even featured at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. What does the East Texas market mean to Great Raft Brewing?

“The East Texas market has supported Great Raft from day one, and our relationship with the homebrewers guild has grown significantly over the last year. The collaboration brew was a first of its kind for us and a fun excuse to brew with our friends from the homebrewing community. The experiences we’ve had at East Texas festivals including Dogtoberfest, Red Dirt Dirt BBQ & Music Festival, and the Zonta Brewfest have been positive. Our mindset from the beginning has been to grow deeper within our backyard and surrounding markets versus expanding into more markets further away from home. There are a lot of thirsty folks in East Texas and we hope to see a 318 Golden Ale in their hands in 2020.”

In the past you would see beer drinkers stay loyal to one brand but as the craft beer community has grown many people have become curious and have expanded their horizons. 318 Golden Ale is very approachable and easy to drink. While it is a craft beer many people who traditionally stay away from craft beers should enjoy this beer. It is light bodied with a subtle citrus kick from the orange peel and is only 4% ABV. 318 Golden Ale costs the same or less than many domestic 12 pack options despite being crafted locally with premium ingredients. Great Raft puts quality and consistency at the forefront. If you tour their brewery you will see firsthand they put their money where their mouth is when it comes to quality. For those who are health conscious it only has 120 calories per can. As a craft beer drinker this beer for me can be the everyday “fridge beer” for the house, pool, golf course, camp out etc.

318 Golden Ale is currently available on draft at your favorite bar and will be available in 6 and 12 packs at your local grocery store, bottle shop or gas station near the end of March. You’ll find it priced lower than most other craft beers but with all the quality you’ve come to expect from Great Raft. Throughout the month of March they will be having launch events across East Texas. We are thrilled to have Great Raft bring another delicious craft beer option to our area!

Click here to read the entire press release

Sláinte

Joel Patrick Heflin

It's Been a While

We wanted to check in and let everyone know we are still around. We have been quiet here on the website but our Facebook Page has been full of local craft beer news and events. If you aren't following us on Facebook you are missing out on the VAST majority of our content. We'll try to do better about posting our original content here on the website but know that our Facebook Page is currently the best way to keep up with all that is going on in the East Texas craft beer community.

We have been busy visiting breweries and drinking craft beer. We are honing our taste buds and learning more each day so that we can bring better news, reviews and events to you. Feel free to let us know about your craft beer adventures. Send us your pictures and stories and we might share them with our community.

See you soon!

ONE WEEK TILL HOMEBIERFEST!!!!

Yes it is again that magical time of year when we get to enjoy over 40 hand crafted beers from our local homebrewers: HomeBierFest!!!

You do not want to miss out on this event. Brewers from all over East Texas, as well as some from Louisiana, will be bringing their homemade craft beers for you to sample while you enjoy live music and several food trucks at Longview's newest park, The Green. 

To attend you must register to become a member of the East Texas Brewers Guild which you can do HERE. Don't worry! You do not have to be a home brewer to join. If you enjoy drinking beer and having a good time you are qualified. It's only $25 to join the guild for a whole year! That give you access to all of their events, meetings as well as discounts at some of your favorite craft beer bars, restaurants and breweries. 

TABC rules prevent memberships being sold the day of the event so make sure you register in advance!

SEE YOU THERE!!!