We probably should’ve figured as much, but it seems as though the pandemic isn’t even mighty enough to take down the annual Caligula’s den of commercialism known as Black Friday. Somehow, even in 2020, there will be big box outlets and trendy multi-use retail developments waiting to swing their doors open before most of us have stacked our plate with the storied two-slice combo of pumpkin and pecan pie.
Why should North Texas craft beer lovers be left out of the madness? After all, a generation of drinkers in Chicago have devoted an entire day to camping out for Goose Island’s famed Bourbon County Stout on the Friday after Turkey Day. The past couple of years have seen more D-FW Black Friday events, with many of them showcasing a boozy new stout (read: black) or otherwise dark and lovely brew.
This year, in spite of everything, there are some really intriguing chances for you to dive into some decadent local “black” beers.
Lone Star Beverages, Carrollton
Remember the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout we were just talking about? Carrollton’s Lone Star Beverages, a veritable North Star for local craft beer diehards, has been selling bottles of Bourbon County Stout variants on Black Friday for years. Thankfully, 2020 will be no different as this is a pandemic to-go beer dream. The shop will have bottles of four of the seven variants the noted Chicago brewery will release for this year. As an added bonus option, both the Lewisville and Fort Worth locations of the store’s sister beer bar, Lone Star Taps and Caps, will have bottles for sale as well as some vintage selections pouring from their draft taps. Face coverings are required for entry, and expect social distancing protocols to be in effect, especially should there be any sort of crowd looking to stock up.
3065 N. Josey Lane, #62, Carrollton. lonestarbeverages.com.
False Idol Brewing, North Richland Hills
One of D-FW’s newest taprooms, False Idol Brewing has quite the lineup planned for its first Black Friday event. The Darkest Timeline Stout Flight includes pours of a quartet of stouts, featuring flavors of maple, peanut butter cup, coffee and hot cocoa. In the door-busting spirit of the day, there will be raffle prizes perfectly suited to wrapping and placing under the tree, such as brewery growlers, hats and T-shirts. The brewery’s indoor space and patio area both feature socially distant seating, and masks are required when not seated.
7924 Maplewood Ave., North Richland Hills. facebook.com/events/661507607861773.
Bluffview Growler, Dallas
Save the leftovers for the weekend and check out Bluffview Growler’s Black Friday Beer and Beef Jerky pairing event. The popular neighborhood spot will have some special dark beers on tap, and will pair them with some small batch craft jerky, prepared by their new culinary partner, Saucy Savories. Masks are required inside, where there is socially distant seating, and both beer and jerky is available for pre-order and to-go instead of dine-in.
3850 W. Northwest Highway, #1180, Dallas. bluffviewgrowler.com/events.
TUPPS Brewery, McKinney
The McKinney brewer’s Full Grown stout series has become one of the more exciting spots to watch for dark beer lovers around town. Similar to Lakewood’s beloved Temptress or 3 Nations Brewing’s stellar Devout offerings, TUPPS continues to impress with an array of inventive Full Grown variants. Dedicated to launching its Full Grown Bourbon Barrel Aged Beast, this taproom event highlights the new, walloping 16.3 percent ABV imperial stout, brewed with coffee and chocolate.There will be a food truck and live music with necessary safety protocols including masks, lower occupancy percentage and distant seating for those who want to hang around and recover for a bit, or you can order two-packs of 12-ounce cans for to-go pickup ahead of time.
721 Anderson Street, McKinney. facebook.com/events/3340062896049118
3 Nations Brewing Company, Carrollton
Since moving into its massive, current home in the heart of downtown Carrollton, 3 Nations Brewing has made excellent use of its small batch brewing system. Each Friday, the brewery releases a different limited offering that rarely makes it past the weekend. Recent Friday small batch beers have been unique twists on a brown ale and a Berliner weisse, but on Black Friday, naturally, things will grow dark with a fudge brownie imperial milk stout being featured on draft. While you’re there, stay in the sweet, black lane and grab a four-pack of the Devout crème brulee stout. Masks are required upon entry and should you get up from your table, with indoor and outdoor seating all set in a socially distant setting, with loads of hand sanitizer everywhere you look.
1033 E. Vandergriff Dr., Carrollton. 3nationsbrewing.com.
