Unfortunately you’ll find more breweries struggling or even closing, despite my attempts to bring more attention to them. But rarely will you find a brewery opening a second location. But today’s brewery is doing just that, so we just had to stop by and talk about Odd Muse Brewing Company.
Located right on Spring Valley in Farmers Branch, Odd Muse has quite the great location. It’s in a shopping center, but they have a corner lot, along with a huge outdoor space with a ton of picnic tables. They obviously share the parking lot, but we’ve never had a problem finding parking. Also in the parking lot, you’ll usually find a food truck, which is great. Through the front door you’ll see a good size area of seating to the left, and the bar right in front. The merch and to-go fridge is to the right, and the patio entrance in to the left. Past the bar on the far wall is the restrooms, which are only two single use spaces, not nearly enough for the crowds they attract. Also on the back wall is the entrance to the brewing area, which has extra seating, and you know how we love the brewing equipment to be exposed, and this is a great set-up. There’s not a ton of TV’s, so catching a game may be hit or miss. I don’t love the subway tile on the entire bar area, it has kind of a cafeteria feel. But the rest of the decor has a nice flow, open beams on the roof, whiskey barrels, and a ton of open windows. There’s string lights hanging, and some random decor, but it’s a very relaxed vibe.
Coffee beers are becoming more and more common, but they’re very easy to mess up too. Obscura is a 6.0% ABV cold brew coffee brown ale, conditioned on espresso beans. You definitely get the malty sweetness, with the clean and crisp mouth feel of a brown ale. The biggest way to mess up a coffee beer is to make the flavor too strong, but they got it perfect with this one. It’s definitely present, but doesn’t overwhelm the brew. They made a great coffee beer here.
It’s definitely still stout season, and they’ve got some good ones, including Candy Aisle. It’s a 12.5% ABV pastry stout conditioned on cocoa nibs, peanuts, and caramel. It’s meant to taste like a Snickers, and it’s crazy how close the taste actually is to the candy bar. Despite having a high alcohol content, it doesn’t drink overly thick or heavy. Each sip brings chocolate, peanuts, and caramel to your taste buds. They nailed this stout, it’s as if you’re drinking a Snickers bar.
The other stout we loved was Phish Food, another 12% ABV pastry stout inspired by Jam Band ice cream. It’s conditioned on cocoa nibs, caramel, and marshmallow, and it’s fantastic. Just like the previous, it doesn’t drink heavy, and the stout profile is good. You taste the chocolate, caramel, and marshmallow notes, and it gives you a little bit of a sugar rush, but doesn’t overwhelm you. I’m a sucker for a marshmallow beer, and this one was really, really good.
Overall, our experience at Odd Muse Brewing Company was great. Having a food option is always a must, the vibe was good, the beer was really good. The lack of TV’s was a little disappointing, and the subway tile bar was a little strange. And the two, single use bathrooms were a big drawback. But it really is a great place with great beer. We’re giving Odd Muse an 8 🍺 rating! Be sure to check them out, and Always Drink Local!
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