Rahr and Sons Brewing Company - Developments Since 2005

Developments Since 2005

In September 2005, Rahr introduced its first seasonal: Pecker Wrecker Imperial Pilsner, a Sterling- and Perle-hopped pilsener with the substantial strength of 7% alcohol by volume (ABV). This tap-only release was accompanied by a logo design contest, in which entries had to include a woodpecker in a tow truck. The winning logo appeared on tap handles, t-shirts, and beer glasses.

At about the same time, Rahr was forced to lay off most of his employees due to financial pressures and take on the role of brewmaster himself. In the wake of this change, Rahr worked long hours and received help from a volunteer team of over two dozen local home brewers and beer enthusiasts, particularly with bottling and packaging. At this point, the company also shifted the task of distribution over to distributors in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the regional Coors distributor and Authentic Beverages Co., Inc.; as a result, Rahr beer became available across a larger geographic area. By the next year, the Miller distributor in Denton was handling the supply for the Denton/north Dallas region.

Rahr's Bucking Bock appeared in the spring of 2006 and was preceded by a logo contest similar to the one for Pecker Wrecker. Summertime Wheat appeared on July 8, followed in November by Winter Warmer, the first non-German Rahr beer.

In January 2007, Tony Formby joined Rahr as an equity partner. Following this, the company re-expanded its staff. Gavin Secchi of Addison was hired as brewer. Two new beers were introduced by Rahr in 2007: Stormcloud IPA, released in March, and Oktoberfest Fall Celebration Lager, released in September. Rahr began working with Andrews Distributing of Dallas in autumn 2007.

Brewer J. B. Flowers joined Rahr in December 2007, following the resignation of Secchi, who now works for Goose Island.