When Bobby Mullins and Yianni Arestis came up with an idea for a craft brewery in Denton, even local business experts could see that it was a slam dunk. That's why the business plan placed third in the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship's 2010 New Venture Creation Contest, hosted by the North Texas College of Business. This gave Arestis and Mullins the traction to start pedaling their beers across the region and earn $34,000 via a Kickstarter campaign. It was a few years and many steps later—including a partnership with Deep Ellum Brewing to start getting the beer produced commercially—but the duo finally rounded up everything they needed to open their own brewery, which is slated to debut this fall under the name Armadillo Ale Works.

You may have already sampled some of the beers at various taprooms around the region, but soon you'll be able to sip them right after they're made. Try the signature Quakertown Stout, a mix of maple syrup, dark-roasted malts, and oats. For something lighter, opt for the Greenbelt Farmhouse Ale, which features notes of honey, citrus, pineapple, and coriander. There are also some seasonal brews on the menu at various points throughout the year, so keep an eye out for what's on tap when you visit.

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