Drinking Diaries

New neighborhood bar White Rock Abbey has plenty of local beer but not enough parking

PBS got us in the mood for abbeys this week, but because England is so very far away, we went to White Rock Abbey instead. Edwardian-era fashion and antiquated notions of servitude were not present, but I did almost drop my monocle in pleasure at the attractive supply of craft beers on tap.

WRA has been open for about a month now at Peavy and Garland roads, literally around the corner from neighborhood beer garden and burger joint Goodfriend. In a retail strip just off the southbound side of Garland, WRA is nothing fancy, just a neighborhood pub that you could patronize a couple of times a week.

It might be new, but the Abbey has a lived-in feel that invites visitors to sit down at the bar or in one of the mismatched plush chairs. From there, you can watch the game on two flat screens behind the bar or, if you're on opposite side of the room, catch the action on one of two projector screens.

White Rock Abbey is nothing fancy, just a neighborhood pub that you could patronize a couple of times a week.

The bar sports 40 taps, mostly devoted to local and Texas brews, as well as around 60 beers in cans and bottles. The only local brewery not on tap when we visited was Community Beer Company, but, to be fair, Community wasn’t selling its beer yet.

The bartender expected they would pick it up soon enough, as they rotate their taps as often as they can. We had the Lakewood Temptress and the Southern Star Buried Hatchet from Conroe.

Speaking of the bartender, he learned my name right away, talked about his beer preferences and gave out samples to anyone who inquired about a beer — whether they asked for a taste or not. Good man.

That kind of service will earn loyalty among customers in a market that is fast becoming an arms race in putting local brews on tap. He even tried to convince a couple of women to try something other than Coors Light — though ultimately he was unsuccessful.

Another thing we like about the Abbey is brewer’s nights every other Tuesday, during which the bar highlights one local brewery and brings in the brewers to talk about their beers. The first glass night was January 15 with Cedar Creek, and the bar will spotlight Peticolas on January 29, from 6-8 pm. There is also trivia every Thursday, from 8-10 pm.

It has to be said that the parking at the Abbey is really terrible. It is awkward to pull off Garland into the parking lot, which is fine if there are no cars. But if it’s even the least bit busy, you’re driving on a busy road while looking in between and around cars for a spot. It’s less than ideal.

It remains to be seen if there’s enough space at Garland and Peavy for two beer-centric bars, but it’d be a shame if there weren’t. Put it this way — we wish White Rock Abbey were closer to where we lived, and if that’s not a sign that we liked it a lot then let us be frank: We liked it a lot.

White Rock Abbey is quite insistent that you drink local and so are we.

White Rock Abbey Facebook

White Rock Abbey is quite insistent that you drink local and so are we.

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A Toast

Dallas distiller launches zero-proof liquor line and hosting accessories

Photo courtesy of Teaspoon

It's the brand's first line of non-alcoholic beverages.

The zero-proof liquor movement keeps gaining momentum, and the latest to take a seat at the bar is Teaspoon, from the Dallas-based Dynasty Spirits.

The brand's first line of non-alcoholic whiskey, tequila, gin, and "Italian Spritz" (comparable to the main ingredient in a certain bright-orange cocktail) are already available for shipping nationwide, and the company promises they will be carried by more than 400 Texas retailers by year's end. Each 700ml bottle is priced at $32.99.

“Teaspoon was born from a simple belief: that the drink in your hand should match the moment you’re in,” says founder Devin Odell. “Teaspoon isn’t just zero-proof spirit alternatives, it’s a statement. It offers a fresh option for those who expect more from what’s in their glass: more flavor, more intention, more celebration.”

For the mocktail connoisseurs out there, here's a quick overview of each bottle's tasting notes:

The zero-proof whiskey has cherry, vanilla, caramel, and citrus zest on the nose. The palate opens with a bourbon-style sweetness and finishes dry and peppery.
The zero-proof tequila has the aroma of cracked black pepper with hints of pineapple and guava, and tastes of fresh bell pepper up front. Citrus mid-notes add brightness and it's rounded off with a lightly sweet oak finish.
The zero-proof gin's nose brings lemon zest and elderflower, and its taste is dry and herbal like a true London Dry gin.
The zero-proof Italian Spritz balances sweet red licorice and bitter orange peel on the nose. The palate starts with orange-candy brightness and progresses to juicy grapefruit before finishing with a lingering herbal bitterness.

The name Teaspoon is reflective of the culinary measuring tool's history, and how the gilt silver spoons were once prized by England's upper crust due to the initial rarity of tea imported from Asia.

The Texas-born Odell founded Dynasty Spirits in 2010, and the brand's portfolio currently includes Pezuña Blanca tequila, Townes vodka, Green House vodka and gin, Lasso Motel whiskey, and Painted Donkey tequila.

Launching in tandem with Teaspoon’s non-alcoholic beverages is a collection of custom retail products in collaboration with Marcello Andres, Shelton Metal, Tom Adam, Match 1995, A Bientot, WP Standard, and more. Currently, that includes linen cocktail napkins, glassware, and a set of artful pewter teaspoons, each representing a different zero-proof liquor.

Dallasites can taste and shop at Teaspoon's launch event: November 6 at at the Shop Swoon boutique inside the Joule Hotel. Bottles will be available for purchase there through November 9.

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