Draft or can? Last May, a new brewery opened its doors to the North Texas community and just recently began distributing canned beers to grocers and bars. The dog-friendly, kid-friendly and friend-friendly TUPPS is located in the McKinney Cotton Mill Historic District, created from the 1910 cotton mill that stands today as a popular wedding venue.
Co-founders Keith Lewis and Tupper Patnode homebrewed a collection of five different beers for six years, and once perfected, they decided to fulfill beer-lovers’ hearts by opening TUPPS Brewery. “The power of the location is important and sets the tone of [our brewery]—laid back, good friends, good beer and good music,” said Keith. A multitude of factors proves this to be true.
Keith’s three adult kids, Chris, Chase and Katie, work full-time at the company, and Tupper’s daughter and wife occasionally join the small team on the weekends. The beer, you’ll have to taste for yourself, but let me assure you, one of the nine brews they offer will tickle your fancy. Choose your poison from IPAs, Pale Ales, Stouts, Porter and Wheat.
The 15,000-square-foot brewery and outside area feature a lot of artsy and rustic decorations refurbished from the Cotton Mill, such as creatively welded parts made into art and wind turbines. Outside, you’ll find the beer garden with a nearby homemade water fountain and wine-bottle tree, hand-painted by family members impacted by cancer. (Anyone can bring paint for a blank canvas bottle or bring an already painted one to add to the tree). Or enjoy the large open space to play games such as life-size Jenga and corn hole. Inside the antique warehouse is the 30-barrel brew house; ring toss; a ton of giant wooden spools set up as unique tables; a stage where live music is played on the weekends; a 168” projector screen frequently used to watch college and pro games of all sorts; and of course, a long bar featuring delicious flowing draft beer.
Have I mentioned there’s not a cover fee to enter the brewery? Beers are just $5 each or $8 for a flight of five, 4 oz. tastings of your choice.
Join the TUPPS One Year Anniversary Celebration party at the brewery on Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m.-Midnight! The day’s event includes: new beer releases, local grub, Triple G BBQ (available all day and night), live tunes, tailgating games, brewery tours & more. VIP tickets are $40 online and purchasers can start tasting the newly brewed and brewery only available beer at 11 a.m. and includes a tasting card for either 10 beer samples or three full pints. The doors open at 12:30 p.m. for General admission ticket buyers ($25 online or $35 at the door) and includes a wristband for three beers. Everyone walks away with a special edition one year anniversary pint glass. See event details below.
Try TUPPS beer at any one of the 100+ bars in Dallas/Fort Worth that house a variety of the nine brews on tap. Or find a location now selling their five original brews (Texas Shade, Cotton Mill Gold, Black Ale, Northbound 75, and TUPPS IPA) in a can.
Throughout TUPPS you’ll notice bicycles and bicycle parts, including on top of the rusty/vintage car posted up as decoration at the entrance. Bicycle donations are happily accepted here due to their partnershp with the nonprofit ReCycles McKinney. TUPPS other partners include, McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Habitat 4 Paws, Hugs Café, Griffins Rugby, Independent Bank, Main Gate and Cadence Cyclery.
Photography by Colbea Smith
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TUPPS One Year Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m.–Midnight
Where: TUPPS Brewery
Cost: $25–40, purchase online here.
Who:
MUSIC LINEUP
11 a.m.– 2 p.m., Matt Tedder (2016 Voice competitor)
2–5 p.m., Chris Watson (Singer-songwriter from Fort Worth)
8 p.m.-Midnight, Petty Theft (led by Mike Rhyner of The Ticket radio station)
TUPPS Brewery
721 Anderson St., McKinney, Texas 75069
Hours:
- Wednesday–Thursday: 4–8 p.m. | Friday: 4–10 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (tours at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.)