Starting a business is always a challenging journey, but launching a brewery comes with its own set of unique hurdles. Dean Weaver, the founder of Deanitude Brewing, knows this well. For him, the years of planning and the immense costs involved in opening a brewery were a risk worth taking.
“It took years of planning and consideration,” Weaver said in an interview with the Observer. “Starting a brewery isn’t for the faint of heart because it can cost you everything if it doesn’t work.” Fortunately, Weaver’s dream is now becoming a reality with his successful brewery, Autonomous Society, located in the Cedars neighborhood near downtown Dallas.
The building housing the brewery dates back to the 1940s, giving it a historic charm. On the day of the visit, it was a warm, sunny morning, and the brewery had just opened for the day. A customer, accompanied by a dog, relaxed on the porch enjoying a beer in the perfect Dallas weather.
Upon entering the brewery, visitors are greeted by Tom Graybael, Weaver’s trusted assistant and bartender. Graybael, who is known for his friendly demeanor, guided the guests through the extensive beer list, which features a variety of Deanitude brews. The selection includes offerings like the “English Biscuit,” an English pub ale, “The Red,” a beer with rich caramel notes, and the bold “Smooth Operator.” At any given time, the brewery offers at least two dozen beers from Deanitude, with additional limited-edition brews on rotation.
“We rotate our beer selection regularly,” Weaver said. “There’s always something new on tap for our customers to try.”
A fan-favorite at the brewery is the Smooth Operator, a Belgian dark ale that packs a punch with its 12.5% ABV. “It’s a one-and-done beverage,” Weaver explained, citing its rich complexity of caramel, dark fruit, and Belgian yeast. Other crowd-pleasers include the Elderweiss (a hefewiezen) and the Cascading Bavarian pilsner.
During the visit, guests sampled a trio of beers: the fruity IPA Bye Bye Spaceboy, the crisp Hot Flash Helles lager, and the robust Baron Von Schwartz, which boasts bold coffee and dark chocolate flavors. All three impressed with their quality and flavor profiles.
Weaver’s passion for brewing began long before the establishment of Autonomous Society. “I spent two years in Germany when I was in the army. That’s when I fell in love with craft beer,” he recalled. “In 1993, I started home brewing, and it grew from there.”
While brewing was his growing passion, Weaver’s first career was in the film industry, where he spent 33 years. Over time, his passion for film waned, and with the support of his wife, Weaver made the leap into the brewing business. “I wasn’t ready to retire, so I turned my brewing hobby into a full-time business,” he said.
Autonomous Society is known not only for its exceptional craft beer but also for its food offerings. “I didn’t have any experience in the restaurant industry, so we started with simple panini sandwiches,” Weaver explained. “But with the help of an acquaintance, we spent six months developing a menu that would complement our beer selection.”
The brewery’s food menu is designed to pair perfectly with the variety of craft beers, offering a range of pub fare that enhances the overall experience for customers.
In a thriving and competitive beer scene, Weaver’s dedication to quality beer and thoughtful food pairings has made Autonomous Society a standout in Dallas’ brewery landscape.
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