Rahr & Sons closed in the space in May to search for a new location.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A new whiskey distillery is taking over the former longtime Rahr & Sons space in Fort Worth, which the renowned craft beer company recently vacated after two decades.
Blue Flag Distillery this week announced plans to open the first North Texas distillery focused on American single malt whiskey in the redesigned, 37,000-square-foot space at 701 Galveston Ave., which will also include a private tasting room and event space for gatherings of anywhere between 50 and 600 people. It’s expected to open in fall 2025, according to a press release.
“The concept for Blue Flag began with evenings on our family’s porch, where friends and neighbors would gather for drinks and conversation,” said Blue Flag Founder and President Will Rucker, who will lead the distillery with its head of operations Nate Swan. “We’d fly the flag to let the neighborhood know that all were welcome to join us. Blue Flag Distillery is our extension of that hospitality and connection to our city on a large scale – to aspiring spirits enthusiasts, seasoned whiskey connoisseurs and everyone in between.”
American Single Malt was just recently recognized as a whiskey category by the U.S. government’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), according to a press release. The designation means the product must be mashed, distilled and aged in the U.S., distilled from 100% malted barley at a single distillery and aged in oak barrels.
In addition to American single malt whiskey, which will age for about three years, Blue Flag will also produce gin and brew beer on site.
As for Rahr & Sons, it closed its taproom in May to search for a new space.
“Our goals for the future of Rahr Brewing have surpassed the capabilities of our current location, so we are searching for a new home,” Fritz Rahr wrote in a post on Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.’s Facebook page when the move was announced. “We are so grateful for all the memories, the laughter, and all the life events we’ve shared together at the brewery.”
Our content partners at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Rahr & Sons is using Wild Acre for production while it searches for its permanent space.
Rahr wrote in a Facebook comment that Rahr & Sons will host its Oktoberfest run this year at the Flying Saucer at 111 E. 3rd St. in Fort Worth.