Tupps Brewery joins the list of attractions in McKinney’s Historic Mill district. The brewery, known locally for its craft beers, had its start in McKinney in 2009. They moved to their new campus near the Flour Mill this spring. The expanded space, composed of three retrofitted 100-year-old buildings, outdoor stage, and open spaces, allows Tupps to not only serve great beer, but grow as an event venue.
Grain Room Taproom
We started our evening at the Grain Room Taproom. It’s a huge indoor space for those extra hot summer days or spring rains. Tables abound and there are large screens for the sports watch parties hosted at the brewery. If sports aren’t your thing, Tupps has something happening almost every night. Tuesday evening is Music Bingo and Burgers, and Wednesday is Tupps Trivia Night.
Brews and Burgers
Tupps has a full-service kitchen serving what you might expect from a brewery … burgers. The full-grown-man burger is one of those tall creations that challenge the human mouth. Thankfully, knives and forks are available. The food isn’t haute cuisine, but it is good and often unique, like the bacon stout jam used instead of ketchup in the burger. And there are new takes on old favorites like a charcuterie-styled selection with whipped peanut butter dip as its base. Vegetarian options and salads can be found on the menu, too.
Tupps Brewery has automated their food ordering. At each table you’ll find a QR code to scan that takes you to their menu, then make your selections and pay online. Each table is coded, so the servers know where to deliver your food. We were pleasantly surprised at how well this system works. Unfortunately, you will, for obvious reasons, still have to stand in line to order your brew at the bar.
Tupps Outdoor Stage
The outdoor event stage is a welcome addition. Look for weekend performances during spring and summer evenings. There’s no fence around the grounds and no gate admission, so check out Tupps events calendar for some free alfresco music. There are a few limited ‘seats,’ so be sure to bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the tunes.
We visited on a Friday evening and were surprised by the number of kids playing at the brewery. A small Boho market was in full swing, and children took advantage of the ample grassy spaces to run and play. You’ll find corn hole games and even an entire outdoor section for the kiddos. This makes Tupps a great family hang-out, unlike other wineries and breweries with limited kid options.
McKinney’s Historic Mill District
Local Yokel, a long-time McKinney store selling farm fresh meat and eggs, has a fine dining restaurant across the rail tracks from Tupps Brewery. Local Yokel BBQ and Grill (350 E Louisiana) elevates barbeque to haute cuisine and is a great restaurant-styled dining if you want local fare but in a more formal setting.
Grain Silo Art. The most impressive town mural is the McKinney Silo Project and it’s right next door to Tupps Brewery. Guido Van Helten, an Australian artist, took over five months to complete the behemoth project, painting the mural depicting McKinney residents on the sides of 100-foot-tall concrete grain silos. If you haven’t yet visited, be sure to check out the photorealistic artwork. You can find it just north of Tupps Brewery.
When you go
Tupps Brewery is located at 721 Anderson Street. Parking is free but limited in front of the brewery complex. Additional parking is also available just north at the Flour Mill. Right now, navigating the Historic Mill District is challenging with construction everywhere. New buildings are being built and streets improved. Be patient. Once construction is complete, McKinney’s Historic Mill District likely will rival The Silos in Waco, with Tupps Brewery anchoring the district.