Tyler Station in Dallas is a repurposed Dixie Wax Paper factory that’s been turned into a small business hub, and there’s a really cool little brewery in there too. Oak Cliff Brewing sits on the end cap of the Tyler Station, and you may not even know they were there unless you were looking. But it’s definitely worth visiting, and you could even ride the dart train to and from because there’s a stop right next to it.
There’s a decent amount of parking around the building, but keep in mind there’s a number of small businesses that people frequent here too. You’ll have to go up a small staircase, and then you’ll see the long line of doors to all these businesses, and at the front is Oak Cliff Brewing. Walk in and your eyes are immediately drawn to the huge bar on the back wall with the menu hanging above. There’s tons of seating to the left and right, but none of it is all that comfortable. To the left of the bar is a small merch area, to the right you’ll find the decently nice bathrooms. On the left back wall by the entrance is a tiny stage, but I’m sure there’s bands that still love to play here. They have a huge projector TV they use for games, but there’s not many other TV’s hanging. To the far left is an entrance to the brewery with additional seating, and some games here and there to play. Allowing patrons to walk next to the equipment is always a huge plus for us. They frequently get food trucks, and there’s a Hispanic family who cooks great, fresh cuisine inside the brewery, and they’re usually there on the weekends. They’ve got a kind of log cabin type feel, and they were decorated for Christmas, but there’s not much to the design inside besides that. It’s definitely a good spot to hang out with friends and grab a craft brew though.
If there’s a craft beer in Oak Cliff called Lee Hazy Oswald, how can you not try it? Hazy IPA’s are usually the ones I like, and this is their version of that style. This is a dry hopped style, which leads to more flavor and less bitterness, which is great. They describe it as juicy stone fruit and melon flavors, and the juicy fruit notes are definitely present. And at 6.9% ABV, it’s not too strong as some IPA’s can be. It’s a great representation of the style, and a good little brew.
With the weather turning cold, it’s definitely stout season, so I had to try Sombre, a 13% ABV Imperial Stout. Higher ABV beers tend to drink heavier, but this one wasn’t so bad considering how high the ABV is. But it’s everything they describe it as, rich, roasted coffee & chocolate notes with vanilla and caramel sweetness. The richness is immediately noticable, followed by the sweeter notes, and this stout is one of the best I’ve ever tried. Absolutely loved it.
Our favorite of the day was the Winter Brown Ale, a 6% ABV English style brown ale. The English style tends to have more sweetness than the American style, with a deep brown color, but not as intense as a stout. They brewed this with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cacao nibs. The cinnamon and nutmeg are present, but they don’t overwhelm the taste of the beer. This brew is excellent, and it fits the season extremely well. You feel like it’s the Christmas season when you take a sip, but it still has the appropriate notes and mouth feel of a beer. We absolutely loved this brew!
Our visit to Oak Cliff Brewing was great. The beer is always on point, and having food options is a must. They even have a crowler machine, so you can take any brew home with you, not just what’s pre-canned. The environment is very relaxed, and they had Christmas music playing to get you in the holiday spirit. The only drawbacks are the seating, a lack of TV’s for entertainment purposes, and a lack of decor or design inside. With all that, we’re giving Oak Cliff Brewing an 8 🍺 rating! They’re definitely worth checking out. We’ll be back in the new year, and Always Drink Local! Happy Holidays!
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