Skip to main content

5 Breweries to Visit in Dallas — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re looking for a place to relax with a craft beer unlike any other, Dallas has become a hub for exceptional breweries. Whether you want to take a closer look at the beer-making process or just find a new favorite beverage, the Dallas area doesn’t disappoint. Ready your taste buds and plan a stop at one of these fine breweries, as chosen by local experts.

Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

A local favorite, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. offers craft beer lovers a friendly place to find new favorites. This brewery was one of the first to open in Dallas when it launched in 2011, and now it gives tours of its facility during a weekly open house. Each tour ticket comes with a special pint glass and three beer samples. After a tour, visitors can hang out in the shade or sun, and enjoy live music or a game of cornhole.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth.]

“Deep Ellum Brewing Co. is a quirky craft brewery that offers tours for those visiting and has plenty of food trucks outside,” says Eloy Rey Calvo, concierge at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton. “They also have a great dog-friendly patio and plenty of beer to sample — including their signature [Dallas] Blonde.”

Deep Ellum Brewing Co.’s open house is every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., with tours at 1 and 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance online or $15 at the door. The taproom and kitchen are open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to midnight and Saturdays from noon to midnight.

Braindead Brewing

Braindead Brewing in downtown Dallas packs in the fun with events ranging from trivia nights to Nintendo 64 video game battles. And of course, it brews top-notch beer: A sign proclaiming “in beer we trust” asserts the brewery’s commitment to its craft.

“It has this culture where they offer great brews, and they have this incredible patio where they can accommodate a lot of people,” says Frank Everet, W insider for the W Dallas — Victory.

Visitors can also order food. If you’re in the mood for brunch on Sunday, try the bacon flight, which serves up four types of bacon paired with four beers, or check out Braindead’s “anytime” menu if you stop by during the week.

Braindead Brewing is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Four Corners Brewing Co.

It’s hard to miss Four Corners Brewing Co. when you’re driving through the Trinity Groves area of Dallas. Painted on the side of the garage-turned-brewery is a huge rooster crowing against an electric blue backdrop.

[Read: 5 Dallas Parks to See on Vacation.]

A favorite at Four Corners is the “Local Buzz,” a honey-rye golden ale brewed with locally sourced honey. This laid-back brewery (the taproom is called the All Day Alehouse) invites visitors to stay awhile under the covered patio, listen to music or play the outdoor games. No food is served at this brewery, but it’s moving to a new location with a kitchen in September 2017.

Free tours are held on Saturdays at noon and 1:30 p.m., and include samples. Reservations are encouraged. The brewery is open Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Revolver Brewing

Known for its Blood & Honey beer, Revolver Brewing “is doing wonderful things,” says Andrew Milke, concierge at The Adolphus. Indeed, he says it’s attracted attention from MillerCoors’ Tenth and Blake Beer Co., which bought the Granbury craft brewery in 2016. Revolver Brewing is also set to open a working brewery inside Arlington’s in-development Texas Live entertainment district in 2018.

Until then, the brewery holds a weekly tour event on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. The entrance fee is $10 per person for those 18 and older. The tour itself starts at 1:30 p.m., but come early to grab a bite at the picnic tables in the brewery’s spacious outdoor area. Visitors who arrive before 2 p.m. are allowed four 8-ounce tastings. After 2 p.m., all other visitors receive two 8-ounce tastings. The ticket price includes a collector’s glass. Children are welcome. Pets aren’t allowed.

Community Beer Co.

If you’re visiting around the time of the State Fair of Texas in the fall, you’ll want to try the Funnel Cake Ale from Community Beer Co. Stop by the brewery’s open house, held every Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. After you take a tour of the facility at either 3 or 4 p.m., stick around to listen to local musicians perform, watch sports games on the taproom’s two large projection screens or eat at one of the food trucks outside.

[Read: 5 Great Dallas Shopping Spots.]

Opened in 2013, Community Beer Co. is located near downtown Dallas in the Design District. “Community Beer Co. is in a trendy neighborhood, and it contains its own yeast lab,” says Kevin Alderman, chief concierge at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

Tickets for the open house are $10 in advance online or $15 at the door, and include three pints of your choice. The taproom is open Wednesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

To experience more of what Dallas has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

6 Can’t-Miss Dallas Museums — Locals’ Picks

The Best Hotels in the USA

The 15 Best Foodie Cities in the USA

5 Breweries to Visit in Dallas — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote