DALLAS—While Labor Day officially marks the end of the summer picnic season, the Texas climate makes outdoor barbecues possible most of the year and Texas breweries will finally be able to legally sell beer-to-go now that House Bill 1545 has officially passed. With its recent passage, more entrants to the craft beer scene are expected, increasing competition and revenue for craft breweries across the state which has been previously hindered by restrictive laws surrounding alcohol sales.

The passing of the beer-to-go bill is one of many positive legislative changes the industry has seen in recent years, increasing awareness, competition and sales of Texas craft beer. And, Texas breweries are getting greater exposure nationally, thanks to the production of quality product, acquisitions and partnerships, according to a recent study by JLL.

Milton Black, JLL associate, concurs that Dallas brewery locations have made a significant local impact.

"When you look at a map of all the breweries in the metroplex, most of them cluster in and around the urban core. It's not until you get out towards the suburbs where you generally see one or two breweries serving each community," Black tells GlobeSt.com. "Due to the density in the urban core, breweries tend to open in edgy, emerging submarkets. They set up shop between quasi-industrial properties and areas with food, beverage and entertainment, where the buildings are cheap enough for small business owners to afford and accommodate the unique equipment. It also allows for a creative buildout and ability to customize the tap room. Having a successful brewery in these neighborhoods spurs more investment in the surrounding properties, in turn driving more traffic to the area."

In Dallas/Fort Worth, Deep Ellum Brewing Co is a well-known brewery with a 2018 production of 45,466 barrels. It is known for Dallas Blonde 2. Another brewery, Rahr and Sons Brewing, had a 2018 production of 18,500 barrels. It is known for Rahr's Blond 3. A third brewery, Community Beer Co., had a 2018 production of 16,791 barrels. It is known for Mosaic IPA.

Blake Rogers, JLL senior associate, says craft brewing has also impacted Fort Worth.

"Craft beer has continually impacted and adapted our social and commercial landscape here in Fort Worth," Rogers tells GlobeSt.com. "Rahr brewery began in 2004 in what is now known as the Near Southside District of Fort Worth. At that particular time, Rahr's Saturday brewery tour and tasting was the only reason to go into that part of town. Now the Near Southside is a vibrant renewed district, and the brewery continues to be a lively destination for a few Saturday afternoon suds with friends and live music. A few other brewers have followed a similar template to this model, and they continue to provide excellent social settings in Fort Worth."

Texas now has more than six times the number of active beer production licenses than at the beginning of the decade. However, the state continues to rank 30th in economic impact per capita and 46th in number of breweries per capita in the US.

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