Denton earned its 'Brew City, TX' title the hard way — here are the five spots where locals actually drink, all independent, all within a few blocks of the Square.
Denton is an official Brew City, Texas, and it earned it one independent taproom at a time. The whole county’s craft scene basically lives within a few blocks of the downtown Square. These five are where I send people.
The shortlist
Denton County Brewing Co. — Denton. The county’s original craft brewery, right off the Square. The one that started it all, and still one of the best pours in town. 200 E McKinney St.
Union Bear Brewing — Denton. Award-winning beer, a good-looking taproom, and wood-fired pizza to match. Proof the scene keeps leveling up. 215 S Bell Ave.
Oak St. Drafthouse — Denton. Craft beer inside one of the oldest houses in Denton. Porch, patio, rotating taps, zero pretension — the coziest pint in the county. 308 E Oak St.
The Bearded Monk — Denton. Part taproom, part bottle shop, all heart. Where the real beer nerds send you, with staff who actually know their stuff. 122 E McKinney St.
East Side Denton — Denton. 75+ craft taps, a dog-friendly patio, and a food truck park right next door. The easiest “let’s just hang” beer spot in town. 117 E Oak St.
Five taprooms, one walkable downtown. Save this for the next time someone says there’s nothing to do in Denton.