Manhattan Project Beer Company | Dallas, TX
Beer Trip: Manhattan Project Beer Company in Dallas, Texas
Dallas has so many breweries to choose from, which makes it tough to decide where to go on a 3-day getaway. We ended up making this selection based on proximity to where we were when we got thirsty and, luckily for us, that took us right to Manhattan Project Beer Company! What started as a beer-making collaboration between friends for a wedding in 2010 has since grown into the hip, unique spot it is today.
The Brewery
Sleek and modern are probably the best words to describe the feel of Manhattan Project. The whole place is comprised of shades of black and white with subtle splashes of live green plants or natural wood tables providing a fun, upscale vibe. The atmosphere starts right when you pull up, with a nice-sized outdoor space with artificial turf and a big covered patio. Once you migrate indoors, you have the option of sitting near the long, marble bar or close to the brewing process and their fermentation tanks.
Large windows here make natural light pour in from every angle
Large outdoor space with plenty of shade for a hot day and a nice turf area for your kiddos to play
No matter the section you choose, you are connected via massive glass windows - so you can’t go wrong with either area. Because MPBC is both a brewery and a coffee shop, the patrons here were diverse - some were meeting friends for a drink, while others were kicking back with a laptop or a book to get some work done.
View of the facility from inside
Seating for large groups in the warehouse / brewing area
The Beer
Manhattan Project falls right in line with the other Dallas breweries we visited by offering a whopping 20 selections to choose from! They break up their menu into 5 categories consisting of “Easy, Barrel-Aged, Interesting, Hoppy, and Bolder.” Speaking of their menu - it was elegantly displayed in a restaurant-style book, which made the beer experience feel very luxurious. It was also fun to read the brew names, as many of them referenced their namesake "the “Manhattan Project,” such as the Bourbon Barrel Aged Nuclear Winter, the Fallout hefeweizen, or their hazy IPA lineup of Quarter-Life, Half-Life, and Double Half-Life.
We wish we could have tried more of their taps, as they brew top-notch beer across multiple categories. Their amber lager, Red Gate, is packed with malts, providing somewhat of a caramel flavor, yet is very light and easy-drinking. The Plutonium-239 is their porter, providing great notes of coffee and coconut along with a consistent smoothness from the time it touches your lips ‘til you set your glass down. To top it all off, our favorite IPA of the entire trip was the Hoppenheimer, which is one of their first award-winning beers. This American IPA has a unique blend of hops, creating a faint floral taste which typically isn’t a positive in our books, but somehow it worked here in perfect combination.
Food, Merch, & More
These homemade chips were absolutely delicious
Manhattan Project has so much more to offer than just great beer. For starters, they are also a coffee shop in the mornings and have a full-service breakfast menu to start your day. Come lunchtime, their food options change to one of the more robust and unique menus we have encountered at a brewery. During our visit, they had salads, fried chicken, make-your-own Chipotle-style bowls, and arepas which many people recommended. The timing didn’t work for us for a full meal, but we were huge fans of their homemade chips and queso!
As always, we scoped out their merchandise section which is spaced out around the facility. It included shirts, sweatshirts, flannels, button-downs, hats, and glassware, along with everyone’s favorite - the brewery sticker. If you also make your way to the back side of the bar, you’ll find a nice selection of to-go beer that includes nearly everything on tap available in a 6-pack.
To-go beer selection
Neat hop chandelier and a large projector
