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13 new breweries in Dallas-Fort Worth you should know about

Update Aug. 13 at 4:25 p.m. to include opening details of the breweries to come.

North Texas' beer scene has been feverishly bubbling this year.

In addition to Union Bear Brewing Co. in Plano, Armadillo Ale Works in Denton, and Flix Brewhouse in Little Elm, which we've previously covered, more than a half-dozen new breweries have opened in 2018 -- and more are on the way.

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Here's a guide to the newest beer makers in town. (Note: Some of these names may look familiar, as they were anticipated to open in 2017.)

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Cellarman's Pub and Brewery

For nearly 20 years, Cellarman's Pub has been Sherman's craft beer stalwart, serving brews from across the nation and world. In January, it began serving house suds made on its 10-barrel brewing system. Owner Randy Derzapf, who is a home brewer of more than 20 years, built an 1,800-square-foot addition to the restaurant where he now brews a variety of styles, including the Cosmic Goat cream ale, the Loco Lima Cerveza Mexican lager with hatch chile and lime, and non-alcoholic root beer and orange cream soda. If patrons find one they like, they're be able to have a pint at the bar and take some home in a growler.

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Fort Brewery and Pizza

A new owner took over the Fort Worth brewpub formerly known as Chimera Brewing Co. in February and, after a brief renovation, officially debuted its new moniker in June. According to general manager Mike Armstrong, the biggest changes were to the food menu, which now focuses on sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. Fort Brewery and Pizza also hired a new brewer, Jeremy Whitehead, to churn out recipes including a hoppy lager, Kolsch, and India pale ale, among others.

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Hop and Sting at Grapevine Craft Brewery

Hop and Sting Brewing Co. began producing beer locally in late-2017, but it only recently landed a location where drinkers can visit. The small company purchased the brewery formerly known as Grapevine Craft Brewery in its namesake suburb. Brewers there now make Hop and Sting's original recipes, such as the Galaxy Haze Belgian white IPA and Remedio wit beer, in addition to beloved Grapevine recipes like Lakefire rye pale ale.

New Main Brewing Co.

North Texans now have a reason to visit Pantego, Texas. New Main Brewing Co. opened there in February in what used to be a gym. That gives the brewery a unique aesthetic anchored by an enclosed lounge in the middle of the first floor. It started by serving beers from around the Lone Star State, but president and co-founder David Clark has since released recipes he's made on a pilot system, including a witbier, pale ale, India pale ale, porter and stout. The brewery is the only place you'll find these beers, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a local taqueria sets up shop there to serve tacos.

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Old Town Brewhouse

Formerly known as Cobra Brewing Co., this brewery rebranded after its owners split. Co-founder Bill Shaw kept the building and brought on brewer Mike Samford to help reshape the brewery's image and portfolio. The vibe is now classic rock-inspired, down to the name of beers such as Double Vision double IPA and All Night Long pale ale. The beers are predominantly sessionable styles like ambers and lagers, compared to Cobra's heavyweights, though it's possible some beloved recipes like Dawn of the Dank may reappear in the future, Shaw says. The facility is still located near downtown Lewisville and often hosts live music.

Outfit Brewing Co.

By day, Jordan Young works in the insurance industry. By night, or on weekends at 4 a.m. before his kids' soccer games, he loves to home brew. This summer, Young, his father and brothers plan to open a small professional beer brewing operation near Love Field Airport in Dallas, complete with a five-barrel brewing system and taproom where he can showcase original recipes. He's currently working on a hoppy saison, an India pale ale, a cream ale, and others in advance of his anticipated August 17 debut.

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Parker County Brewing Co.

Parker County Brewing Co. is the first brewery to open in its namesake county since Prohibition, according to owners, professors and longtime home brewers Joshua Tarbay and Ryan Stewart. The two began serving original recipes alongside a menu of Neapolitan pizzas in February. The grub is mostly traditional Italian, but "I did have to add jalapeños and ranch dressing to the menu," says Tarbay, "because this is Texas." The European flair carries over into the bar, which has three cask engines to serve beers with lower carbonation.

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Railport Brewing Co.

Waxahachie's Railport Brewing Co. comes from husband-and-wife duo Richard and Shannan Womack, who opened the first and currently only brewery in Ellis County. With its five-barrel brewhouse, it's a small operation, but Richard has made more than 12 recipes since opening in May, such as a honey blonde ale made with Texas honey, a saison, coffee porter and more. Know before you go: The brewery is currently open every other Saturday, but owners hope to expand hours of operation soon.

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Steam Theory Brewing Co.

Something new is brewing in Trinity Groves. The West Dallas neighborhood was once home to Four Corners Brewing Co., but when that moved to the Cedars in 2017, it lost its lone beer maker. Steam Theory Brewing Co. opened its doors in mid-July to begin serving elevated pub fare such as charcuterie. And it's about time, say owners Chuck Homola and Jonathan Barrows, who began scouting locations in 2012. They enlisted Kirk Roberts, formerly of Newport Beach Brewing Co. and San Diego's The Beer Company, to brew classic beer styles such as an extra special bitter ale and West Coast IPA to pair with chef Michael Weinstein's menu of sandwiches, salads and entrees such as pecan-smoked rib eye with whipped potatoes and collard greens. House beers are expected to make their debut in August.

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Turning Point Beer

A flight of beers from Turning Point Beer in Bedford, which specializes in New England-style...
A flight of beers from Turning Point Beer in Bedford, which specializes in New England-style IPAs.(Staff / Tiney Ricciardi)

Turning Point Beer opened in an inconspicuous strip mall in Bedford in March, and has since garnered a reputation for its New England-style IPAs, one of the trendiest styles of beer right now. Characterized by a hazy appearance and juicy hops flavors, the style has made such a splash it earned an official designation from the Brewers Association in 2018. If you get a flight of Turning Point's NEIPAs, such as Xtra Pulp or the fruit-flavored Shake Zula series, know the differences in appearance and tastes may be subtle. Still, hopheads love them. You, too? Turning Point offers their beer for sale to-go.

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White Rock Alehouse and Brewery

White Rock Alehouse and Brewery opened in East Dallas in late-2017, but only began serving its house-made beers in April. Drinkers will find about a half-dozen original recipes, like the Bringin' Mexi Back Mexican lager, Big Thicket Blonde and IPO New England IPA, to pair with it's menu of apps, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and entrees. The rest of its 36 taps offer guest beers, and the bar also serves wine and cocktails. But perhaps the brewpub's biggest seller is its access to White Rock Creek Trail, which means you can reward yourself with a frosty brew after a walk, run or bike around White Rock Lake.

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Still to come...

Cowtown Brewing Co.

Beer and barbecue are the name of the game at this Fort Worth brewpub, expected to open this fall. Suds come courtesy of Shawn Kidwell and Doug Nipper, home brewers with a combined 28 years of experience who specialize in big and bold styles like the Belgian quadrupel and milk stout. Kidwell plans to have lighter, summer weather beers like a Vienna lager, Kolsch, altbier and double IPA ready when Cowtown Brewing opens its doors. Their partner, Jordy Jordan, is in charge the smoked meats, which he says will include pork, brisket, chicken, turkey, sausages and baby back ribs. Locals can get a taste of what's to come at Big D Barbecue restaurant in Mansfield, which Jordan opened in 2013.

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Oak Cliff Brewing Co. 

Joel Denton's family has lived in Oak Cliff for four generations, so when he decided to open a brewery, the neighborhood was a natural fit. Since 2015, he's been working to outfit a space in the historic Tyler Station with a 30-barrel brew house and taproom with an additional three-barrel pilot system for experimental onsite releases. Denton brought on brewer Todd Holder, who worked at Oklahoma's prestigious Prairie Artisan Ales for three years, to helm operations. When it comes to the beer, Holder says nothing is off limits. "We're trying to appeal to anybody who likes well-made beer," he says. Drinkers can now find Oak Cliff Brewing's beers at select bars and the taproom opens Sept. 1.

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Thirsty for more news? Follow beer reporter Tiney Ricciardi at @tineywristwatch and visit GuideLive.com/craft-beer to get your fill. 

CORRECTION, 1:36 p.m., Aug. 15, 2018: An earlier version of this story misspelled Chuck Homola's name.