BrainDead Preview

Bevvies and nosh at Deep Ellum's BrainDead Brewing rise above run-of-the-mill

As the minutes tick down to the opening of BrainDead Brewing, details have emerged about the food and beer that will be served at this anticipated brewery and brewpub in Deep Ellum.

BrainDead is the project of a beer super-group that includes Sam Wynne, Rodeo Goat co-founder and former beer director for the Flying Saucer; Jeff Fryman, formerly of Common Table; Andrew Huerter, ex-brewer at Deep Ellum Brewing Co.; and chef David Pena, formerly of Palomino Euro Bistro and Henry's Tavern in Plano.

At BrainDead, they'll feature 42 taps, a dozen of which are their own beers made onsite. Patrons also will have the opportunity to take beer to-go in growlers.

According to Wynne, BrainDead's core beers will be "drinkable and balanced, complex but not complicated." These are the staple beers at opening time:

BrainDead Red. A red AIPA with piney and grapefruit flavors and woody and spicy hop notes; 6 percent ABV.
Pre-Prohibition cream ale. A pale golden beer descended from pilsners and helles with fruity ale yeasts; 4.4 percent ABV.
Wheat APA. American pale wheat ale meets session IPA, with an emphasis on orange-citrus hops; 4.8 percent ABV.
Foreign Extra Stout. A dry stout with oats and American hops; 6.6 percent ABV.

Other possible limited-edition offerings include rye American brown ale, Irish red ale, double pale ale featuring Texas malt, stock mild ale, biere de mars and palm sugar rye tripel, with an even longer list of things to try such as maple steam lager, coconut raisin Belgian brown ale, watermelon mint Berliner weisse and green tea sorachi ace DIPA.

Pena's menu will be regionally and "beer influenced," with burgers made from a mix of brisket, sirloin and bacon; house-made French fries; house-smoked bacon; chicharrones fried in lard; and turkey legs, brined and smoked. "Chili will be cooked in the same cast-iron pot my grandfather used for 50 years," Pena says. Desserts will include warm chocolate and oatmeal cookies.

Following craft beer tradition, the brewery is offering a pre-opening charter membership, which grants special perks and discounts on food, beer and merchandise. The membership will close once opening-day arrives, which is currently targeted for late February.

BrainDead staffers Andrew Huerta and Sam Wynne ready their space in Deep Ellum.

Photo courtesy of BrainDead

BrainDead staffers Andrew Huerta and Sam Wynne ready their space in Deep Ellum.

unspecified

Coffee News

Italian brand Lavazza Coffee opens training facility in Dallas

Lavazza

Lavazza Coffee

A coffee brand from Italy has planted a stake in Dallas: Lavazza, founded in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1895, has opened a state-of-the-art training center in Dallas, at 1722 Routh St. #960, where it will serve as a hub for coffee enthusiasts throughout the Southwest.

Dallas is the newest outlet in Lavazza's coffee training network, joining locations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, West Chester Pennsylvania, and Toronto — part of their expansion across high-growth markets in the U.S., and its mission to elevate coffee culture globally. (They're also doling out endorsement dollars in commercials featuring Steve Carell and John Krasinski.)

The facility is equipped with espresso, brewing, and coffee innovation equipment, and will serve Lavazza partners, industry professionals, baristas, and distributors. They'll offer hands-on training, SCA certification, menu development, and emerging coffee trends.

Lavazza already partners with many respected hospitality groups and culinary destinations in Dallas including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Coury Hospitality Group, Al Biernat's Steakhouse, and Vandelay Hospitality.

In October 2025, Lavazza also began serving coffee on flights by Fort Worth-based American Airlines — further strengthening their connection to the North Texas market. The facility will enable Lavazza to provide closer, more consistent support to these partners and help elevate their coffee programs through continued training and collaboration.

Lavazza has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today they're one of the leading players on the global coffee scene, with a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, such as Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild, and Kicking Horse.

In a statement, Lavazza North America president Hossam Ashraf says that "Dallas has an incredible energy and an ever evolving coffee scene," while Lavazza North America Marketing VP Daniele Foti says that Dallas is great, and we must concur.

"As one of the fastest growing hospitality and culinary markets in the country, Dallas represents a tremendous opportunity for Lavazza," Foti says. "Our investment in this new Training Center demonstrates our commitment to the region and to the partners who bring the Lavazza experience to life every day. Dallas is a city of innovation and high standards, and we are excited to deepen our roots here."

coffee openings