A Brief Intro
As a writer, all the protocols I normally adhere to have been pushed aside for the moment. This is not a critique or review or investigative journalism. It is an appreciation piece detailing my experience at the Family Business Beer Company (FBBC) Family Reunion Celebration, so I’m getting personal with this one folks. Please know that the opinions that follow are my own.
FBBC, as the name suggests, is a family business committed to making their continued mark in the craft-beer industry in Texas. It is owned and operated by the Ackles/Graul families. If you would like to read more about FBBC, I have included links of interest at the bottom of this article.
What I can say with complete confidence is that our support of FBBC is born out of a love we all share for Jensen Ackles and his wife Danneel, and by extension, all those they call to their family table.
On Saturday April 22, 2023, I was fortunate enough to attend the FBBC Family Reunion Celebration. The first of its kind actually. To get there I had to fly down from Canada (I live near Toronto, Ontario) so I am truly grateful that all the planets aligned to get me there.
It’s funny. When I say it out loud it sounds wild, but yeah, I flew all the way to Austin, Texas for a party! But it wasn’t just any ‘ol party…
The FBBC Grounds
As my friend and I sat by the pool Saturday afternoon, waiting impatiently for “party-time,” and getting kissed by that glorious April Texas sunshine, we wondered if we could head over to the brewery early. With a quick call to Rickshaw Rides (our pre-booked round-trip transport from hotel to brewery), it was green lights all the way. Let me take a second here to offer a big shout-out to Andy and Geoff from Rickshaw, who were incredibly helpful, eager to serve, and very accommodating.
As we arrived a nice young man with purpose and a clipboard got us checked off his list and Geoff dropped us at the front doors. Walking under that incredible FBBC logo painted on the outside of the building was a bit of a thrill. I’ve seen pictures but being there and seeing it in person is something else again. It’s damn impressive in size.
It might just have been the time of year, but I was struck by how green everything was. The grounds are expansive and beautiful. The brewery is built to accommodate sitting inside, outside or inviting the outdoors in, with a massive roll up garage-style door beside the bar, that can disappear and reappear as needed. Guests can enjoy their beer sitting on the partial wrap-around porch filled with picnic tables, or they can sit out in the oak grove under the shade trees. It really is a stunning place. For a party like ours, there were few children in attendance, but FBBC makes the effort to be family friendly and the playground is an impressive nod to kids.
The Bar, The Beer and The Kick-Ass Crowd
I’ve seen many pictures of the place, so I knew what to expect but again, photos vs real life; no comparison. It was bigger than I thought it would be. It’s casual and inviting. The front of the house showcases the bar at one end, and a stage at the other. The back of the house is the actual working brewery. There were too many people at this occasion for the them to offer tours, but I can add that to my growing list of reasons why I need to go back.
Immediately, Leia et al began setting up to get everyone processed. Guests needed to be checked off the list, given food/beer tickets and get their event bracelets. It didn’t take long before they were overwhelmed with people. The line-up quadrupled in ten minutes. I don’t know if it was the mother-hen or the process analyst in me, but I wanted to roll up my sleeves and pitch-in. Put me in coach! They were more than capable, and had things organized in no time.
There was an ever-present line-up for beer though, as you can imagine. Happily, I discovered that not only did the line move quickly, but it offered up a great way to socialize with the other guests around me. We all talked about the event, travel, Supernatural, convention antics, and beer – all the glorious beer! We swapped notes. My new friend Denise is a frequent FBBC patron, so she had some great recommendations. I got to try the Grackle, Cosmic Cowboy, Heckboy, and finally the sweet stout they released as a special for the party (I can’t remember the name of it). It was all delicious, but my favorite was the Grackle. There are so many offerings. Too much beer, so little time. Another reason to go back.
The Vibe
From the moment we arrived at the brewery, two things were evident to me; first, is that the place has an energy all its own. I felt it right away. It’s welcoming. It undoubtedly comes from the staff. From Devon’s dapper blue suit to Leia’s “Hi, I’m Leia” T-shirt, these folks were gregarious, kind and ever-ready to be of service. We were in good hands. The second thing was the other guests. I recognized so many from social media through a shared love of all things Supernatural.
As I already mentioned before, socializing put faces to names, and hugs to feelings, and deepened acquaintances to friendships. It really was magical. I can’t remember a time in my own recent history of talking and laughing so much. It was a real treat, having met so many remarkable people. Knowing I can’t recall everyone I met, here is my attempt at listing those I do recall; there is Denise, Kandice, Carrie, Shontill, Lori and Michael (who spilled water all over me-that’s a lie-I spilled it on him), Suzanne, Megan, Jess, Heidi, Tara and Richard.
Richard was a special young man and we spoke at length about love, life and family. I was grateful that we got to share our stories. I cannot wait to meet him again. Oh – and he has the greatest tattoos. Check out the one on his thigh.
To further capture the FBBC family reunion celebration, here is a video of everyone at the party (well everyone I could get pics of), presented as a collage of photos. Some I grabbed from twitter postings, while others were my own, or those sent to me via messenger. I set the video to a Radio Company track (hope Steve and Jensen don’t mind). I hope y’all enjoy it.
The FBBC Vendors
FBBC made sure they offered up a small marketplace for their guests and invited some of their favorite vendors to participate. There were wood carvings, glass works, leather goods, etc..
I was limited by what I could pack in my suitcase and get home, but I bought a beautiful hand made leather wallet for my husband and a sweet little leather-back journal for myself which the vendor monogrammed for me, free of charge. They were a lovely couple and a delight to chat with. Shame on me for not getting everyone’s contact info for y’all but I was too in-the-present to think of such things. I got some nice souvenirs, as did many others.
The Band
Samantha Lee and the Family Tree were a central focus for everyone at the FBBC family reunion celebration as the in-house entertainment for the evening. This wonderful group of fine musicians delivered the goods. Immediately upon hearing Samantha’s voice I thought of Janis Joplin. In that regard they share soulful qualities with a throaty delivery and an impressive belting range. Later in the evening I was lucky to have a chat with Samantha (in the ladies’ room of all places-I helped her with the zipper on her jumper) and she shared with me that Janis was one of her early inspirations as a musician.
I created a video of some pieced together segments of their performance. Up front, let me apologize for my videography skills-they kinda suck. I get so wrapped up in the music that I forget what I’m doing. In any case, try to ignore all my “yee-haws.”
Here is the band’s Spotify Link:
Here is the band’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaLeeAndTheFamilyTree/about
The Food
Damn! The food was so good! I have not been able to find fault with any single part of the FBBC family reunion celebration and the food was a big part of the party’s success. Our event was catered by Crimson Creek Smokehouse BBQ. They served up a fine meal of pulled brisket, pulled pork and turkey sliders with two choices of salad (potato and coleslaw) with a side of the best pork ‘n beans I have ever tasted. For anyone with a sweet tooth, they also offered cookies and brownies for dessert. Sorry for the photo quality – I never got a good shot of the food line, but the guys serving took excellent care of us.
The Photo Studio-Doubles as a Brewery
As part of the FBBC family reunion celebration experience, all those in attendance, members and guests alike, were treated to a photo with Jensen. To get away from the hustle and bustle of the party, the makeshift photo studio was at the back of the house in the brewery itself. Guests were invited in in groups of ten or fifteen at a time and waited in line for their turn.
I’ve seen Supernatural Convention photo ops, and this was not that. There was something soft and sweet about the experience. It was like getting an impromptu photo with your friend Jensen. That is the best way I can explain it. It felt deeply personal and special. For me (I can’t speak for others) it felt like a brief interrupt to festivities to grab a photo with your buddy and then go back to the kick-ass celebration going on in the next room.
I won’t go on about what it was like to see the actual brewery (it was freakin’ cool though). I’m hoping I get the chance to have a full-on tour of the place, so I will write a complete review article for that when it happens.
The FBBC Afterglow
I’m home now, and still basking in the afterglow of the party. Memories of the whole evening stayed with me and writing about it just prolonged the amazing experience. The FBBC family reunion celebration was an event to remember.
I’ve written at length about the Supernatural fandom before, and every single person at this event were fans who are truly committed to Jensen and Danneel, and in full support of them, their work and by extension, their families.
When Jensen announced that all those in attendance are now lovingly adopted into the FBBC family, he could not have encapsulated the evening better. That feeling of family was ever-present and so abundant in every part of the celebration. You could feel it as an energy that buoyed us, enveloped us and took us all on a glorious ride. It was in the very air we were breathing, and it said, “belly up to the bar, and let us show you how much we care that you are here with us today.”
Long lasting memories were made that night, that I will cherish for a some time to come.
Links, As Promised
https://craftbeeraustin.com/family-business-beer-co-texas-craft-brewery-profile
https://familybusinessbeerco.com/the-family
https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/jensen-ackles-isnt-star-family-business-beer
https://travelbranyik.com/a-look-inside-family-business-beer-company-in-dripping-springs-tx
For anyone interested in becoming a member:
https://familybusinessbeerco.com/free-beer-for-life
Check out the list of Beers:
https://familybusinessbeerco.com/our-beers
Original source article published on TWE Daily.
