New initiative hopes to launch more commerce between Trier, Germany and Fort Worth

Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Wild Acre Brewing Co. and sister city Trier, Germany are partnering to introduce the first-ever collaborative “bier” at the Fort Wurst Corporate Night, on September 26 at The Shack on Panther Island. This new festival preview will kick off the fifth annual Oktoberfest Fort Worth. The brewmaster from Trier-based Kraft Bräu brewery will be part of the team to tap the keg of the collaborative beer called Wild Acre Kraft Haus Lager.

The project is an effort to encourage and grow business exchange opportunities between Trier and Fort Worth. With the craft beer industry growing in both regions, Christian Luxem, director of Trier City Council’s Business Development came up with the idea of the “Bier project” a craft beer collaboration that could provide an opportunity for international idea and product exchange.

“Such a project can contribute to promote the bilateral economical relations between the two cities,” says Luxem.

The recipe for Wild Acre Kraft Haus was developed by Kraft Bräu brewery and brewed by Wild Acre in Fort Worth. The two brewmasters stayed in constant contact to ensure the beer was brewed in Fort Worth, but stayed true to the German taste and standards. The beer is 5.3 % ABV and combines traditional German lager brewing techniques, and some American hop varietals to blend the two cultures in the form of a hoppy lager.

“The partnership between Wild Acre and Kraft Bräu is another wonderful cultural exchange between our two cities,” said Mayor Betsy Price, City of Fort Worth. “The beer collaboration is an opportunity to learn from each other, promote global economic development, and build a platform for businesses to think globally. That’s what it’s all about – creating connections and expanding Fort Worth’s international profile.”

Wild Acre Brewing has been invited to participate in the same type of beer collaboration at the 2019 Trier craft beer festival. Organizers hope this will serve as a starting point for more business collaboration between Trier and Fort Worth.

Wild Acre Kraft Haus will be the featured beer in the Tapping of the Kegs ceremony kicking off Fort Wurst, Oktoberfest Fort Worth’s new Corporate Night on September 26. Attendees of the event will have the chance to try the beer exclusively available that evening. Corporations or individuals can purchase a table of eight for a private evening of culture and celebration, complete with a plated German meal from Reata Haus, entertainment, beer and more! To learn more about purchasing a Fort Wurst table, visit www.OktoberfestFW.com.

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About Oktoberfest Fort Worth: Oktoberfest Fort Worth will take place September 27 – 29 at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. Festival patrons will enjoy authentic German food, music, dancing, games, rides, biergartens, dachshund races & shopping as well as Spaten and other fall and Oktoberfest craft beers. Fort Wurst is a new corporate night kicking off the festival on September 26. Both events are produced by the Trinity River Vision Authority (TRVA) responsible for the implementation of a public infrastructure project which fosters the development of an urban waterfront neighborhood in Fort Worth called Panther Island. TRVA aims to attract business and entertainment to the district and is in charge of programming public spaces including Panther Island Pavilion.

About Fort Worth Sister Cities International: Fort Worth Sister Cities International, a 501c3 nonprofit, is the only organization dedicated solely to promoting Fort Worth globally and enriching our community through international education, exchange and commerce. We provide a world of opportunities for our city leaders, citizens, educators, students and businesses alike. Founded in 1985, Fort Worth has eight sister city relationships, and intends to form our ninth in 2019. The relationship with Trier, Germany was formed in 1987 and celebrated our 40th anniversary last year.

About Kraft Bräu: Kraft Bräu was founded in 1998 as the first microbrewery in Trier, five years after the closure of the last brewery in town. Patrick Weirich, the first brewer, started with the three Kraft Bräu classics: lager, dark and wheat beer, focusing on pure handmade craft brewing. In 2010 the Kraft Bräu team started to brew beside the classics seasonal specials like an IPA, different pale ales and bocks. It was CEO Klaus Tonkaboni and Sebastian Nguyen, head brewer and licensed beer sommelier, who started the new and exciting era. In October 2014, Kraft Bräu organized Trier’s first craft beer festival which was a huge success. Kraft Bräu has passion for beer and an addiction to real craft brewing.

About Wild Acre Brewing Co.: Wild Acre Brewing Co. opened its doors in June of 2016 to brew and sell the highest quality craft beers available throughout North Texas. Wild Acre has become known for a number of its beers including Billy Jenkins Bock, Texas Blonde and T-Hawk IPA. These beers, among other flavors, can be found in bars, restaurants and retail outlets throughout Dallas/Fort Worth, in addition to being served at their brewery/taproom and beer garden entertainment facility located in the former Ranch Style Beans building situated between East Lancaster and East Vickery on the southeast edge of Downtown Fort Worth. Beer lovers of Fort Worth have helped Wild Acre grow into one of the top 30 largest craft breweries in Texas after two short years in business.