Almost a decade ago, when the North Texas craft brewery boom began, new ventures needed to do little more than open their doors for thirsty hopheads to eagerly visit.
But that was then. These days, rare is the brewery that doesn’t open with at least a well-appointed taproom full of televisions and a creatively designed layout for visitors to gather in. And in these pandemic patio days, a local brewery without an inviting, safe outdoor area is likely missing out on more than a few drinkers looking to break quarantine for a bit.
Since holding its soft opening in October, Maple Branch Craft Brewery in Fort Worth has taken keen advantage of the excellent fall weather while showcasing one of the region’s finest and newest outdoor brewery spaces. Located in Cowtown’s emerging Foundry district, Maple Branch’s massive, tree-covered biergarten is more than a mere patio.
Owners Stuart and Allyssa Maples placed a great deal of emphasis on the biergarten. The couple, who met while attending Texas Christian University, visited Germany for their honeymoon in 2018. The couple’s fascination with German beer culture blossomed as they began envisioning how they would design their own brewery.
“We were always wowed by the biergartens of Germany,” Stuart Maples says. “We got to see so many kinds of breweries and try tons of different beers.”
It was important to the Maples to include authentic touches, like trees and gravel. Many old-world Bavarian biergartens, dating back to the 16th century, scattered loose gravel on the ground and planted a number of trees to keep their underground cellars cool during summer months.
Included in the half-dozen trees Maple Branch has planted, a pair of them, fittingly, are maples.
“We really wanted to keep it traditional with our own feel,” Stuart Maples says about the layout of Maple Branch, which includes an indoor taproom inspired by the large Oktoberfest beer halls of Germany. “That’s why we installed the trees outside. We also loved the idea of a big beer garden gate as a grand entrance, and the beer fountain was something fun we wanted to add to give it our own unique twist as well.”
Maple Branch’s outdoor gate is definitely grand. Arching high above the entrance, it’s hard not to feel you’re walking into something more than just another neighborhood drinking joint. The ivy lining the garden’s bordering wall adds to the verdant vibe. Almost immediately after passing through the gate, you see the fountain. With the brewery’s tree-inspired draft tap handles jutting out from each side, the flowing fountain is a quirk but stately spot for a bit of beer-splashed Instagramming.
A welcoming place to drink a few beers is certainly a great deal, but if the brews aren’t worth returning for, then an intriguing fountain doesn’t really matter, does it? Stuart Maples has been an active homebrewer since 2013 and has won more than 40 homebrewing competition awards, and the selection at Maple Branch shows attention to detail.
The Into the Unknown Imperial Kolsch offers a pleasant, weighty take on the crisp, easy-drinking classic Kolsch style, while the There and Bock Again offers the malt-forward taste you expect with an earthy flair. The Igoe or You Go milkshake IPA and Russhin' and Rollin' Russian stout are both fine examples of beers that prove to be highly approachable without being watered down, which is a nice feat for a couple of styles often considered to be acquired tastes.
As important as these details are for the Maples when brewing beer and offering visitors a unique environment, Stuart Maples says it’s all about bringing something bigger to the neighborhood.
“Overall, our goal is to create a space where people could come and unwind and disconnect from everything else while enjoying good beer and community.”
Maple Branch Craft Brewery is located at 2628 Whitmore Street, Fort Worth. maplebranchbrew.com.
