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Bus, bike and laugh: 4 unique ways to explore Dallas-Fort Worth's breweries

First came the bus tours, then the bike tours and then the Brew-HaHas. With more ways to tour the North Texas beer scene than ever before, local enthusiasts should consider new pairings. How about cycling with a saison or giggling with a gose?

Here are four unique ways to tour Dallas-Fort Worth's breweries.

Dallas Brew Bus

Brew Bus tours include a glass to be filled several times at each brewery.
Brew Bus tours include a glass to be filled several times at each brewery.(Dallas Brew Bus)

"It's kind of funny to get the looks we get pulling up in a school bus," says Matt Dixon, executive director of North Texas Beer Week, who describes his bus tour as an "adult field trip" and extension of his Dallas Brew Scene blog. "Our whole mission is to try to bring more people to beer to show them that local beer is good and it's being made fresh here in D-FW."

The first tour rolled out to Garland's Lakewood Brewing Co. in 2013, and since then the bus has toured through every part of the region, gained thousands of followers on social media and added lunch as a perk. The complimentary pint glass can be filled with up to four beers at each brewery on the tour.

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The Dallas Brew Bus is accessible for all beer lovers.

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"We see all kinds of ages," says Dixon.

Public tours run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select Saturdays. The bus is available for private parties or corporate outings. Visit dallasbrewbus.com for more information.

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Dallas Pedals & Pints

A new local ride group grabbed the beer scene by the handlebars last year, as Dallas Pedals & Pints began hosting weekly events through Meetup.com.

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"Tuesday night is always pint night, and a lot of our pint nights happen at The Lake House," said Marlys Armstrong, one of the group's three founders.

Pint night riders take a few laps around White Rock Lake before gathering as a group for dinner and drinking. Armstrong also maps out many tours for the group, including the Saturday brewery tours that take riders to three or four breweries, putting up to 7 miles between stops. Some businesses on the tour even offer free swag to participating riders.

"The breweries have been very welcoming and accommodating. I have a list of 25 places that have all donated generously," Armstrong says, adding that the group has received a variety of freebies, such as $10 gift cards to Lakewood Brewing Co. and growlers from BrainDead Brewing.

Visit meetup.com/dallas-pedals-and-pints to stay up to date on rides.

North Texas Bicycle Brewery Tours

Since 2013, Jonathan Braddick has organized the North Texas Bicycle Brewery Tours on behalf of Bike Friendly Oak Cliff. Typically, the rides attract about 200-250 cyclists who travel to at least five breweries in five hours and ride a mile or two between each location.

The idea for the tour started in Dallas and has since expanded to Denton and Fort Worth. There's no cost to attend. Participants pick up wristbands at the start of the tour to receive discounts from breweries along the way.

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"It's more of a tasting tour than a bar crawl," says Braddick, adding that the necessity of coming home safely on one's bike requires participants to be mindful of their sobriety.

Almost 500 riders joined Braddick's tour through Dallas last fall, and he's met people who return every season for rides.

"We've got some really hardcore veteran riders," says Braddick. "Everybody feels a part of something because they're all riding together."

Visit facebook.com/bikefriendlyoc for more information.

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Brew-HaHa Comedy Series

Mama Michelle Henderson headlines the Brew-HaHa comedy show at Tupps Brewery in McKinney, on...
Mama Michelle Henderson headlines the Brew-HaHa comedy show at Tupps Brewery in McKinney, on Friday, October 7, 2016.(Allison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

For less moving and more laughing, check out Brew-HaHa comedy shows. Each week, a different brewery hosts a different comedian on this tour, created by D-FW comedian and NBC American Ninja Warrior contender Tyson Faifer.

"It's a staple in Dallas comedy," says Faifer. "We've had quite a few people who have been to every single show. People love it."

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Ten shows happen at 10 breweries each season, and newly opened ones play host every year.

"Last year, Oak Highlands [Brewery] blew it out of the water with over 200 people," says Faifer.

The tour hits Lakewood Brewing Co. on Nov. 11 before finishing the season at Community Beer Co. on Dec. 1. Visit brewhahacomedyseries.com to stay up to date.