At Parker County Brewing Company, we believe that every beer has a story, and every story deserves to be shared. Our mission is to craft exceptional beers that not only tantalize the taste buds but also connect people to the rich tapestry of local legends and personal tales. We are committed to celebrating the spirit of our community, honoring the legacy of our land, and fostering connections through the timeless art of storytelling.
By infusing each of our brews with the essence of these narratives, we strive to create a unique and meaningful experience for our customers, ensuring that every sip carries a piece of our heritage and a taste of our passion.
One figure stood apart from the rest—Jedediah "J.T." Thompson. A tall, lean man with a wild glint in his eye and a quick hand, J.T. was known across Parker County as both a troublemaker and a genius. While many called him a renegade, those who knew him best called him something else: a craftsman.
J.T. had a knack for making ale that rivaled the finest drinks and had the rebellious spirit to match. Raised by a whiskey-running father and a card-dealing mother, he had grown up with one foot on either side of the law. By the time he was a young man, his brewing skills were as legendary as his run-ins with the law. But J.T. wasn't content with making just any ale—he wanted something that captured the wild, untamed spirit of the frontier.
J.T. stumbled upon a tattered, leather-bound book filled with ancient brewing recipes. One recipe stood out—a method for crafting Steam Beer using yeast fermented at warmer temperatures. J.T. saw it as a clear opportunity and decided to resurrect the old technique, believing it could capture the rugged essence of Parker County.
With a fire in his heart and a copper kettle in hand, J.T. set up a small, secret brewing shack on the outskirts of town. He worked night after night, using Munich and Pilsner malts, local spring water, and a few secret ingredients, brewing under the cover of darkness. The process was intense, and the risks were high. But when he finally tasted his creation—a German-style ale with a rich, copper hue and a slightly hoppy bite—he knew he had made something special.
Word spread like wildfire. J.T.'s "1879 Prohibition Era Ale" became the talk of the town, drawing crowds eager for a taste of history in a glass. With its bold flavor and outlaw roots, it quickly became a favorite among locals. But with Prohibition looming; the authorities began to close in.
J.T. stumbled upon a tattered, leather-bound book filled with ancient brewing recipes. One recipe stood out—a method for crafting Steam Beer using yeast fermented at warmer temperatures. J.T. saw it as a clear opportunity and decided to resurrect the old technique, believing it could capture the rugged essence of Parker County.
With a fire in his heart and a copper kettle in hand, J.T. set up a small, secret brewing shack on the outskirts of town. He worked night after night, using Munich and Pilsner malts, local spring water, and a few secret ingredients, brewing under the cover of darkness. The process was intense, and the risks were high. But when he finally tasted his creation—a German-style ale with a rich, copper hue and a slightly hoppy bite—he knew he had made something special.
Word spread like wildfire. J.T.'s "1879 Prohibition Era Ale" became the talk of the town, drawing crowds eager for a taste of history in a glass. With its bold flavor and outlaw roots, it quickly became a favorite among locals. But with Prohibition looming; the authorities began to close in.
But they found nothing—only a note left behind: "You can seize the barrels, but you’ll never capture the spirit." J.T. had vanished into the hills, taking his secrets with him.
For decades, his legendary ale was lost to time, until 2018, when the Parker County Brewing Company revived the recipe, bringing back the spirit of J.T.'s outlaw days. Today, every glass of 1879 Prohibition Era Ale is a tribute to the man who brewed against the grain, a taste of Parker County's rich history.
Today, every glass of 1879 Prohibition Era Ale carries with it the rugged flavor of Parker County’s past—a taste of history, rebellion, and the unyielding spirit of the West. So raise your glass to J.T. Thompson, the outlaw brewer, and remember, some legends never die—they just get better with age.
The Barrels Were Taken, But The Spirit Remains
Our 1879 Prohibition Era Ale is more than just a beer—it’s a tribute to Parker County’s indomitable spirit and its rich history. This German-style ale, brewed with the same passion and daring as Jedediah "J.T." Thompson himself, carries the rugged essence of the frontier in every sip. Its copper hue and slightly hoppy finish are like a conversation between past and present, a nod to the days when Parker County was untamed, and its people lived life on their own terms.
Each pour of 1879 Prohibition Era Ale takes you back to a time when the hills around Parker County echoed with the stories of outlaws, dreamers, and risk-takers like J.T., who wasn’t afraid to bend the rules to make a brew that truly stood apart. It’s a beer that embodies the bold, enduring character of Parker County, just like the residents who have called it home for generations.
Enjoy this ale with hearty Texas barbecue, smoked meats, or a slice of aged cheddar, and feel the spirit of Parker County come alive. Because in every glass, there’s a bit of the county’s past—a taste of history and a toast to the enduring legends that continue to define it.
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