Zio Carlo "an Italian Brewpub"

[Old_Airman]

It looks as if Zio Carlo "an Italian Brewpub" is coming together. They are at 1001 W. Magnolia Ave in Fort Worth. They are asking for folks to answer a few question survey. Their website is not very robust, but you might take a look and share some of your thoughts.

http://www.gr8ale.com/

[gwbbc]

Too cool.

[gr8ale]

Ciaody guys,

Thank Old Airman to give me this opportunity.

My name is Chuck (formerly Carlo) and I am going to open the Italian Brewpub. I have been here since 2006 when my Italian company delivered me to Texas to work with LM. I do not want to bother you with the story of my life, only few things more. Starting from the 1st of January 2009 I am not any more an engineer but finally brewmaster. Yuppie!!
So, I am Italian and I have the passion for beer as you all I guess. I spent my last 3 years in Fort Worth, brewing in the backyard. I built a wonderful brewsystem much bigger than my basic 5 gal brewsystem I had in Italy. I always forgot to thank the guy who posted on Internet his project.
It is so nice and important to me that I would like to move it at Magnolia Ave for public use. For the moment it is an idea, because I bet I will need additional permits from TTB, TABC, God, and maybe more. It should be nice if homebrewers could brew at my premises (in the patio for example), ferment the beer at the right temperature till is ready to be brought at home. Plus, the homebrewers could rate the best beer and if it good it could be produced for public use with the name of the brewer. I do not know, I would love to do something of this kind. I really do not know how many legal problems there could be and how to solve them. I will study more this topic.

Another thing I would like to do is to bottle. I know it is not a easy thing to do (labels, permits, etc) expecially in Texas, but I bet it could be a great idea for people that want to make a present to a beer consumer.

Because I like to cook too, I will make pizza (the Italian one). That's it.

It would be very useful to me to receive your suggestions/comments/advises. I mean whatever you want and not only the survey on www.gr8ale.com (http://www.gr8ale.com) I still wonder what kind of beer Texan would like to drink (other than budweiser): lager/ale, bitter/malty, …. I was thinking about the following types:

Bock, IPA, Witbier, Weissen,Stout,Brown, Belgian Golden Ale, … maybe a Pilsner or a refreshing light lager (light means low alcohol).

But he reason of this thread it is not only to have a feedback from you all, It is also because I really miss somebody with whom to share my beer passion

Ciao,

Chuck

[nickpgoodman]

Another brewpub is very exciting!

I love the idea of an Italian Brewpub, can't beat a great pizza and beer.

I'm sure the guys in the cap and hare would love to help out, and the offer of fermentation space is especially exciting.

Look forward to the opening.

[gwbbc]

Thanks Chuck for chiming in. Looking forward to sharing a brew or two with you.

[mwedge]

Welcome Chuck. As far as hosting a mini competition and then brewing the winning beer there are no legal issues in doing this. Quite a few of the brewpubs and some of the small texas micros already do this.

Just curious but how many fermentation tanks will you have and what size is your brewhouse? From the pic on your website looks like about a 7 BBL.

[gr8ale]

Yeap, the system is 7 bbl, 4 fermenters adn 7 BBTs. It is a used one. The pic is relevant to the dismantling from the original location in FL

[jayellis]

Wow, it will be great having another brewpub in the local area!! With real pizza--not that American c--p covered in plastic cheese!

[gr8ale]

you betcha!

[jayellis]

Haven't heard much about this recently. How's progress on the place? Getting the roof problem resolved?

[Old_Airman]

I rode by on Saturday and the place was standing open. Not a good sign. There were make shift supports nailed to all the columns and cross beams. Looks as if they are quite a distance away from becoming a brewpub. Too bad I was looking forward to riding there for a cold one.

[jayellis]

Bummer... :(

[Mr.C]

I'm getting a "survey disabled" message.

I'm looking forward to drinking a few with you as well, Chuck. I hope you can get up and running sooner rather than later.

[Lumpher]

will have to make a visit and see it when it happens

[Old_Airman]

I stopped by the building that was supposed to house this brewpub. There was a For Sale sign in the door window. He is also selling his 7 bbl brew system. I guess he will be giving up at least this attempt at a brewpub. I am sorry about that.

[schooly]

The club has money, let's upgrade our brew system!!!!!!!!

[TurboBrew]

Let's do it. There's always enough people at the big brews to take beer home.

[Old_Airman]

I just talked to Carlos. Great news. He is hoping to open in May. Slower progress than he had hoped. But I think that is normal. If you are driving by,stop and talk to him. Seems like a great guy.