Fort Worth, a cowtown, and the Cowtown, has long been accustomed to trails weaving their way to and from our fair city: from the Chisholm Trail, that would take cattle north to Kansas; to the...err…other Chisholm Trail, that will take you to Cleburne. If these trails aren't enough for you then hold onto your hats, ‘cause there's a new trail in town, fellers. A trail of the Ale variety.

The Fort Worth Ale Trail, a production of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau and sponsored by our very own Justin Boot Company, will weave you through nine breweries, in a choose-your-own-adventure-like journey, scattered inside the 820 loop and out. Featuring established breweries known hither and yon to even the least beer-savvy cowpoke, along with a few up and comers, the Ale Trail provides a fun, informative way to “catch’em all”.

How would I go about finding this trail and following it, you may ask? Well, it's pretty simple. Visit one of the breweries listed below during their tour or taproom hours, and pick up an Ale Trail passport (You can also pick one up in the Stockyards or print online), responsibly enjoy a beverage or two, and then have your passport stamped before heading on your way.

The participating breweries are as follows:

As a bonus, included in the Ale Trail passport is a list of “Off The Trail” options that features a few local distilleries and wine joints (for those who are less beer-focused), as well as a list of services to get you safely to and from your brewery destination.

So, fellow beer drinkers: Hitch up your wagon - or dial up an Uber - and make your way out onto the dusty trail toward a beer adventure of Texas-sized proportions.

Cheers!

When David Riddile isn't professing the good word of the French Horn at Texas Wesleyan University, you can find him talking tubes (French or otherwise) on Twitter (@ProfessorOTubes), serving up a beer at The Collective Brewing Project, or in front of a dart board.