The end of an era is coming for the corner of Second and Main Streets.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, Texas Beer Company will shutter the doors of its taproom at 201 N. Main Street to focus on statewide distribution of their beer from their brewery, located at 1331 W. Second Street, adjacent to Randy’s Icehouse.
“Texas Beer Company’s tap room in the McCrory- page 1
Timmerman building has been a fixture of a rejuvenated downtown and was itself a catalyst for the dramatic revitalization of the heart of our city in recent years,” said Mayor Brandt Rydell. “While the tap room’s closure represents the end of one chapter, it introduces an exciting new one, both for our increasingly vital downtown district. And for the Texas Beer Company as it consolidates operations at its brewhouse down the street.”
Co-owner Megan Klein said TBC will be focused on distribution.
“Our statewide distribution has grown, and in order to have the time, and have capacity to practically grow, we need to simplify operations in Taylor,” Klein said . “So it’s going to take time and effort to get the word out Houston and Dallas and in the Valley to let them know that our beer is there and make sure that it’s in bars and is available to folks, so we are just trying to simplify operations.”
TBC has distribution contracts all over Texas and their revenue in this area has grown by 30 percent this year, according to its Facebook page.
Nonetheless, since opening the taproom in November 2016, Texas Brew Company has been a fixture in the community, from sponsoring a team for this year’s Texas Mamma Jamma Ride to partnering with the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation for its annual Christmas Toy Drive to live music shows and other weekly events, such as salami and beer pairing nights, etc.
In addition, during Winter Storm Uri, when many area residents were left without electricity and water for many days during record breaking cold, the brew company stepped in to help.
“I think what people know us best for is when the pipes froze in Taylor, and the water system went down, and we were getting ready to brew, so both of our big tanks of water were full,” Klein recalled in the current issue of 76574, a sister publication of the Taylor Press. “So as soon as we could get out of our house, because we were frozen in in our driveway, we did a drive-through water station where people could bring like any container and fill them up with water and have drinking water. We shut down our normal operations and did that for two solid weeks that we just gave people water. “
“They do so much giving in the community, it’s unbelievable,” said Amber Macias with the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation. “They were our first partner in our operation Christmas, and every year they do an angel tree for us.”
While many locals are mourning the loss of their regular hangout, which has been open in Taylor since 2016, there are still some reasons to take heart.
TBC’s brewery already has a small taproom, which Klein said they are looking to expand for regular hangouts on a limited basis.
“We have a small taproom, a backyard beer garden, and most importantly, an impressive 30-barrel brewhouse that brews the delicious beer distributed across the great state of Texas,” according to their Facebook farewell. “We look forward to welcoming you to the brewery for everything from large events, brewery tours, family-friendly activities like cornhole and giant jenga, or just kicking back to watch a game. More to come on that in the coming weeks. “
In addition, Klein said the company will host pop-up events around the city and region. In the meantime, the owners encourage the community to come out to the taproom during the rest of the month of December, and for a final event on New Years Eve.
“What started as small community beer tasting events featuring small batches of home brew has now grown into an award-winning statewide brewery known for charity collaborations and community support,” according to TBC. “On that note, our Bill Pickett Christmas Toy Drive is still ongoing through December 18th at our downtown taproom. We’re offering a free beer to supporters who donate a toy, so come enjoy a Bill Pickett Porter and support this great cause.
The Taylor community is the heart and soul of the Texas Beer Company, and we hope you are proud of what we’ve built together. Onward!”
