When craft beer pioneer Fritz Rahr debuted his namesake brewery in a ramshackle South Fort Worth warehouse in 2004, Fort Worth was “very much a Miller-Coors town,” he says. Stouts, porters, pale ales — these were foreign words among local beer drinkers, who weren't looking to change their imbibing habits.
Now, 20 years later, Rahr & Sons Brewing Company has established itself as a godfather of sorts in Cowtown’s craft beer scene, outliving other breweries who’ve come and gone and maintaining relevance in an industry known for rapidly changing trends.
The brewery has weathered: a snowstorm that once destroyed its building. A recession. A global pandemic. And Rahr’s own recent battle with colorectal cancer. His two sons, Will and Hayden, both in their 20s, are now also involved in the business. A culture based around “family, neighborhood, and community” is what Rahr says has retained the brewery’s success.
“We never went out to create this culture. It just organically grew into what it is today,” says Rahr, 57. “The brewery went through a lot over the past 20 years, and our supporters have experienced those bumps in the road with us as part of the Rahr Brewing family.”
In its early days, volunteers would help package bottles in exchange for free beer. Countless local musicians and food trucks have made their way through the brewery for weekly tasting events. An Oktoberfest-themed 5K debuted in 2010 and draws more than 2,500 participants each year. On any given week, Rahr welcomes more than 700 visitors to the brewery.
Industry reports say that about half of new breweries fail, and the majority of the beer market share is held by large corporations. But Rahr seems to have found stable footing in a shaky market.
Fritz Rahr, the man, the legend.Tara Harper Rahr
“I think the beer industry is a very difficult place to gain a foothold,” says Rahr. “So many breweries fail because I think people come in thinking they can make a quick buck, or they are undercapitalized for their needs, or the timing is just off.”
Rahr’s ongoing success can also be attributed to its evolving roster of beers that change with its customers’ palates. The lineup includes classics like Texas Red American ale (5% ABV) along with newer favorites like Dadgum IPA (6.6% ABV) and the easy-drinking (and playfully named) Adios Pantalones (4.5% ABV).
“We have also expanded on our Paleta series with new flavors in the same style,” Rahr says, referring to flavors like mango, orange crema, and cherry cream in the fruit-forward brews. “As trends move towards healthier lifestyles, we are also coming out with Rahr's Texas Light Beer, which comes in at 86 calories and 3.6 carbs.”
The 3.5% ABV lager is currently a taproom exclusive on draft and will be available in stores soon, Rahr says.
Patrons can try it during Rahr’s 20th Anniversary Party, set for Thursday, December 12 at the brewery. Guests can sip more than two dozen brews from over the years paired with bites from local restaurants, including Teddy Wong’s, Fred’s Texas Café, Reata, Fitzgerald, and more. Tickets are $75 and the party will run from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Ticket sales will go to Rahr to the Rescue, the dog rescue group that Fritz does with his wife, Tara Harper Rahr, an avid animal advocate.
“We brewed especially for our 20th anniversary party a Double Barrel Aged Winter Warmer coming in at 15% ABV and sold only in our beer to-go section,” Rahr says. “A very special treat for this holiday season.”
