Secrets of the City:
Fort Worth

Who doesn’t love breweries? From their juicy IPAs to crisp hefs and everything in between, breweries are an excellent place for beer lovers to find old favorites and new brews that tickle their taste buds. But in a brewery town like Fort Worth, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the great options available. Not to worry – we’re here to help. Here are my top five favorite breweries that no visit to Fort Worth is complete without.

5. Rahr & Sons Brewery


A Cowtown staple, Rahr & Sons opened their doors in 2004 and were the first of their kind here in Fort Worth, making them pioneers of the local craft beer scene. The brewery was founded by Fritz and Erin Rahr and has roots extending back to the 1800s, when Fritz’s great-great-grandfather immigrated from Germany to Wisconsin and opened the first lager brewery there. Today, Rahr & Sons remains one of the most popular breweries in town, drawing up to 1,000 visitors weekly and producing over 20,000 barrels annually. Whether you’re sipping on a Dadgum IPA, Rahr Blonde, or their famous seasonal Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer, beer fanatics always find something up their alley among the brewery’s 20+ rotating taps. Stop by their taproom Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evenings to order a pint or grab a pack to go.

*Insider’s tip*
Want even more bang for your buck? On Wednesdays from 5pm-8pm and Saturdays from 12pm-3pm, Rahr & Sons sells wristbands for $15 that get you three different pours and a souvenir pint glass to take home!

4. HopFusion Ale Works


Located deep in the heart of “Near Southside” and just down the street from Fort Worth’s historic Hell’s Half Acre, HopFusion has become a popular neighborhood hangout for Fortworthians and visitors alike. HopFusion’s taproom is open seven days a week and offers a range of creative and award-winning brews. Can’t decide between a Feisty Blonde or Feisty Redhead? Battle it out with the board games on site to decide once and for all which is best. Whether you’re the next Whitney Houston or completely tone-deaf, Hopfusion also offers karaoke on Wednesdays and other events such as trivia throughout the week.

*Insider’s tip*
DoorDash is your friend! HopFusion is BYO-Food, so feel free to order delivery or bring in food from a neighborhood restaurant while you sip on some delicious beer. You can even try your hand at a themed food pairing. For instance, what could go better with HopFusion’s Orange Sex Rocket than a Lust Burger from the Bearded Lady?

3. Second Rodeo Brewing

Located in the beloved Stockyards district, Second Rodeo is one of the newest additions to Fort Worth’s brewery scene! Second Rodeo offers house-made brews, an outdoor beer garden, and free live music every day of the week! The brewery’s interior design is packed with hidden gems and Instagrammable photo ops inspired by cowboy outlaws, and as crazy as it sounds, you must check out the downstairs bathroom. Sip a house-brewed Mexican Lager, chow down on an unbeatable cheesesteak, and soak in the Wild West vibes that made the Stockyards famous.

*Insider’s tip*
Visit Second Rodeo on the birthday of a country-music legend for dollar beers and other great deals. The brewery pays homage to Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash by encouraging rough-and-rowdy celebrations that any outlaw singer would be proud of. Just don’t complain to your bartender if you end up recreating one of Waylon’s or Johnny’s notorious mugshots.

2. Funky Picnic Brewery


This local gem puts the funk in Funkytown! Funky Picnic started with friends brewing beer in a garage before winning homebrew competitions and now operating a full-on microbrewery and restaurant. We asked lead brewer Harper what makes Funky Picnic stand out among the rest, and he said it is their emphasis on brewing beer and creating food that pairs perfectly together. Funky Picnic also offers exciting events from trivia to stellar drag shows featuring local Fort Worth queens! With a focus on community and inclusivity, this is a must-try in Fort Worth.

*Insider’s tip*
Check out Funky Picnic’s newest extension, The Back Room. This new speakeasy-style bar
offers not only house-brewed beer, but also high-end cocktails, artisan pizza, and delicious
appetizers. Did we mention that The Back Room is adult only? Parents, leave the kiddos at home and come enjoy a child-free evening in style.

1. Panther Island Brewing

With a nod to Fort Worth’s nickname “Panther City,” Panther Island Brewing truly encompasses everything that makes Fort Worth’s craft beer scene special. Their taproom is open Wednesday through Sunday and offers a wide variety of unique brews along with frequent trivia games and other events. Sip on an Allergeez, their signature wheat beer, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Sweet Fang chocolate-peanut butter-milk stout. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find something you like at Panther Island.

*Insider’s tip*
Feeling loose after a few rounds? Tense after a long work week? Panther Island regularly offers “beer yoga,” so slip into some athleisure wear and get ready to bust a move. For those animal-lovers out there, Panther Island has you covered. They have recently introduced goat and pig yoga to their repertoire. No word yet on panther yoga.

Written by Annie, a local expert guide for Fort Worth Crawling. After living in NYC for three years, this Fort Worth native is excited to return to her roots in Panther City. She enjoys traveling and the great outdoors and is passionate about the arts, community, tacos, and (of course) Texas beer. Join Annie for history and beer on Fort Worth Crawling’s Cowboy Pub Crawl!