The Brewers Association just announced their Top 50 craft breweries of 2016 list and Real Ale is #49!
Real Ale Brewing Co. of Blanco, Texas Named in Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S.
Real Ale is one of two Texas breweries listed and also one of two with single-state distribution
In a release from the Brewer’s Association on March 15, 2017, Real Ale Brewing Co. of Blanco, Texas was named #49 on the list of the Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. by sales volume. Real Ale is one of two craft breweries from Texas on the list with Gambrinus (owner of Spoetzl Brewing in Shiner, Texas) at #5.
This is Real Ale’s third time to be named to the Top 50 list. Their first time was in 2010, again at #49. That year they were joined by Saint Arnold Brewing Company of Houston, at #48, and Gambrinus/Spoetzl at #4. They made the list the next year (2011) as well, moving up to #45 (with Saint Arnold at #43 and Gambrinus at #4), which was the last time they were listed before 2016.
Real Ale’s beer is only sold in Texas, which makes it one of only two breweries on the top 50 list to distribute in a single state. Their decision to sell only in Texas is a purposeful one, as their website emphasizes: “We’re Texans. We care about Texans. So, we want to make sure the people we care about have the highest quality beer possible.” New Glarus Brewing of New Glarus, Wisconsin (#16) is the other single state craft brewery on the list.
The brewery is celebrating it’s 21st anniversary in 2017 with the launch of Real Spirits Distilling on April 8th and a kegger party on April 22nd. Real Spirits whiskey and gin are distilled from Real Ale beers, grain-to-glass, and barrel-aged on-site. The 750ml bottles will only be available to purchase at the brewery, and specialty cocktails will be available over the bar for patrons visiting the Tap Room. The annual Real Ale anniversary party will be on April 22nd at the brewery. To celebrate it’s 21st birthday, they’re throwing a “kegger” party and releasing pre-prohibition lager style beer known as “21”. Tickets are on sale now and include 4 beers, a raffle ticket for a custom Real Ale kegerator, and access to a day of live music and food at the brewery.
For more information about all the upcoming events at Real Ale, visit realalebrewing.com.
Working in the Texas Hill Country for over 20 years from a foundation of time-honored brewing tradition, Real Ale Brewing Co. believes minimal processing produces maximum flavor. In addition to making beer that is unfiltered and unpasteurized, we never use preservatives or artificial colors. We believe doing less to the beer actually creates more complexity, aroma and flavor. We only sell Real Ale in the great state of Texas because we’re Texans, we care about Texans, and we want to make sure the people we care about have the highest quality beer possible.
Come on out to the brewery to visit our tap room and take a tour, open every weekend. Beers are available for purchase in the tap room and free tours happen on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Visit realalebrewing.com for up-to-date hours and event information.
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