Steam Theory Brewing in Dallas has closed. Well, kinda – The Dallas Morning News

Steam Theory Brewing Company poured its last beers from its facility in West Dallas on June 19, 2022. The restaurant and bar which former Bachelor and Bachelorette host Chris Harrison invested in has closed permanently. But it isnt the end for this 4-year-old Dallas company.

For about a year, Steam Theory has operated what co-owner Chuck Homola calls a virtual brewery with North Carolina company Bevana. From an East Coast facility, Bevana is brewing four Steam Theory beers and mailing them to customers in dozens of states, Texas included.

Through the pandemic, Steam Theorys restaurant and taproom remained open, but it struggled because of decreased traffic.

We were very dependent on people coming through the door, Homola says.

The company received two rounds of PPP money and some Restaurant Revitalization Fund money. It wasnt enough, so Homola says he started looking for other ways to save Steam Theory.

Im an extremely stubborn person, he says. I love this company and I didnt want to see it go.

Homola believes the virtual brewery could keep his business afloat and cut out rent costs. (Though hell miss the taproom, which was especially beloved for its French fries.) His ambition for Steam Theorys virtual brewery charts a new path for businesses in the craft brewing industry, which has endured a tough two years. Recent brewery closures in North Texas include BrainDead in Deep Ellum, Legal Draft in Arlington, Armadillo Ale Works in Denton, and Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery in Farmers Branch.

Homola describes the dilemma as creatively challenging.

His company is one of the only Dallas-Fort Worth based companies pivoting to a virtual brewery model. Restaurants have taken similar steps, selling their food nationwide in ghost kitchens.

Steam Theory engages in taste tests to check the quality of their product being made some 1,000 miles away. From North Carolina, Bevana is currently brewing and selling: Vamonos Hermanos, a Mexican lager; Juice Caboose, a hazy IPA; Hops Against Humanity, a West Coast IPA; and Threat Level Midnight, a stout with coffee, chocolate and caramel notes.

Bevana has partnered with nine beverage companies, and Steam Theory is the only one from North Texas.

Homola says hes choosing to look forward, despite the loss of the taproom.

Well still be in beer festivals and beer competitions. Well be doing all the things we always did. Just not in a brick and mortar, he says.

We figured youd want to know.

One of TVs most famous reality dating show hosts, Harrison, was a silent partner in Steam Theory. Hes a friend of a friend, Homola says, and a Dallas native.

Harrison told The Dallas Morning News in 2018 that he thought it would be neat to invest in a Dallas-based brewery and set some roots back in Texas.

And is he really into craft beer? Well, he is now: We actually turned him into a beer drinker, Homola says.

Harrison seemed to most enjoy one of Steam Theorys popular beers, Singularity. Its so named because its a simple beer, a blonde ale, says the website. But surely Singularity is also named after Harrison, the former dating show host.

Original post:

Steam Theory Brewing in Dallas has closed. Well, kinda - The Dallas Morning News