North Texas breweries are working hard to help the Lone Star State move up to the ranks of Oregon, California and Colorado in terms of quantity and quality of beer. Local favorite Franconia Brewing Co. in McKinney is celebrating it's 8th year at the end of February, and is doing so in style by unveiling not one, not two, but three icebocks at the anniversary event.
What’s an Icebock, you ask?
An icebock (or eisbock) is created by taking a previously brewed beer and freezing off a portion of the water in the brew, thus creating a more concentrated beer in flavor, body, and of course alcohol content.
Hopefully you can make it to the event, or find some of the very limited quantities of these special beers around town after the fact. Only 10 slim-kegs of the icebocks will hit the market after the party, so be on the lookout for tappings!
Here are the beers you can expect on tap, in addition to the standard Franconia lineup:
- Triple Dunkle IceBock
- Winter Wheat IceBock
- Double IPA IceBock
- Irish Red
- English Stout
The icebocks will be served and tapped from 200-year-old wooden kegs. The tappings will happen around 1:30 p.m. with a ceremony and a toast.
What: Franconia Brewing Co. 8th Anniversary
Where: 495 McKinney Pkwy, McKinney
When: Saturday, Feb. 27, from noon to 5 p.m.
Why: Three icebocks and a slew of other delicious beers are reason enough, but you'll also see Backyard Bayou catering company onsite with a crawfish boil, and Van Cleave Dry Goods with jerky to pair with the beers.
How much: $30 + $2.64 in taxes per person online here, or $30 at the door. There will be 250 tickets sold online, with up to 100 tickets sold at the door, for a total of 350 tickets available.
What else:
Food will be available for purchase onsite. Checkout the event on Facebook for updates to the current lineup.
Parking is a bit wonky. It's all on the street, but it's a nice, long street. Still, I recommend car pooling (or better, Uber!).
Kids are allowed, free of charge. Dogs are allowed, but only outdoors on the green space and it will be crowded, so while it pains me to say so, it may be best to leave the pups at home.
Folding chairs are allowed outside.
Booze News Insider Mae Rock is a craft beer enthusiast, and local brewery groupie.
