New Braunfels Brewing Company in New Braunfels is making some pretty unique beers. Not only do they make wheat beers, but they go the extra effort to make “sour” beers. The results might surprise you.
NBBC’s brews range from a subtle tartness to a pucker-up sour of a lemon while maintaining a smooth wheat-beer flavor. The sourness is achieved by a secondary fermentation with wild yeast, or by adding a bit of fruit. Other than the Belgians, most brewers try to avoid the process because it can be unpredictable and difficult.
For brewmaster Kelly Meyer, NBBC’s tank room is a laboratory. Among the shiny, stainless steel tanks that bump the ceiling are used wooden whiskey and wine barrels doing double-duty fermenting beers. At any given time, Kelly will have 20 to 30 beers going.
NBBC reopened in 2013 and will celebrate their second anniversary this May. On Valentine’s Day, the brewery will offer couples a chance to renew their vows with a special strawberry-vanilla hefeweizen and an ordained minister.
New Braunfels Brewing Company is at 180 W. Mill, on the same block as the Comal County Courthouse. You can try one of their sour beers during “hoppy hour” in the Das Lokal Tap Room every Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9pm, on select Saturdays, and during monthly tours. The brewery’s bottle club offers members a sneak peek at some of Kelly’s special beers. For more information, call 830/626-2739 or go to www.nbbrewing.com.
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This article appears in January 30 • 2015.