Bringing a New Welcoming Space to the West Texas Community with Good Line Beer Co.'s Wolfforth Public House
Chris Troutman and Shawn Phillips bring an accessible space for the community with their brewery, Good Line Beer Co. A community staple that has quickly become a vital part of the craft beer scene, Good Line has expanded beyond its original Tech Terrace location to bring the brewery tradition to Wolfforth.
Building a Community Staple
Good Line Beer Co. has quickly become a cornerstone of Lubbock’s growing craft beer
scene. After meeting their wives and starting families in Austin, Chris Troutman and
Shawn Phillips spent time in local breweries and taprooms, building connections with
their community. Inspired by their Austin experiences, they launch Good Line Beer
Co. through the Texas Tech Accelerator Program in 2021 before opening their brewery in Lubbock’s Tech Terrace neighborhood.
"Breweries have always served as community staples, and we’re just doing our best to continue that tradition here in Lubbock," said Chris. From the start, the goal was to create a welcoming environment offering more than just great beer.
"We identified Tech Terrace as a neighborhood with a strong community, but few family-friendly spaces," Shawn shared. "We were fortunate enough to secure our building in the intra-neighborhood commercial zone, and the community did the rest."
Texas Tech Accelerator Program
The Texas Tech Accelerator Program played a crucial role in helping Chris and Shawn
launch Good Line Beer Co. by providing essential resources and mentorship, which laid
the foundation for their success and growth, including the eventual opening of their
second location.
"We’ve spent a lot of time fine-tuning the business and production model to make it all run at a higher level," Shawn explained.
Good Line Beer Co. has been participating in statewide events and contests to help establish their brewery and brand as a prominent player in the state. Their dedication and craftsmanship have been recognized through five medals awarded at the Texas Craft Brewers’ Cup, further solidifying their place in Texas' thriving craft beer scene.
Opening the Second Location in Wolfforth
After the success of their first location, Good Line Beer Co. expanded to Wolfforth. However, the transition was not without its challenges.
"We realized we might have underestimated the boost the first location benefitted from being situated walking distance in an established community out of the gate," Shawn stated. In Wolfforth, they faced the challenge of creating a new identity in a less established area. Leveraging their proximity to Evie Mae's BBQ, a popular local spot, helped increase visibility.
"We’ve had to carve out a space and identity in a new market where we are working to entice customers," Shawn continued.
Despite the challenges, the new location is growing. They are currently in phase two, collaborating with Evie Mae's BBQ to build a large shared outdoor beer garden, where customers can enjoy craft beer and BBQ in a family-friendly environment.
Innovative Beer Creations
Good Line Beer Co. is known for its creative and innovative beer offerings. One of
their signature creations is their annual harvest fresh hop beers, brewed with hops
sourced from farms in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.
"Being able to access this unique agricultural product and work the logistical puzzle to get them from the farm to beer within a 24-hour window is always a challenge, but it’s what makes these beers special," Chris shared. These fresh hops offer a dynamic drinking experience that evolves over time, providing a unique tasting journey.
Looking Toward the Future
As Good Line Beer Co. continues to expand its reach and increase its presence in both
the local market and beyond, Chris and Shawn remain focused on maintaining high-quality
production and community involvement.
"We hope to continue to be a leader in the local craft beer scene with regard to the experience in our taprooms and maintaining a high standard of quality and innovation with our beers," said Chris. Their commitment to staff development is a priority, with both investing heavily in training and education to ensure that their team grows alongside the business. Chris and Shawn are determined to continue investing in their staff and programming to nurture the growth of their new location.
"We hope to continue to be a leader in the local craft beer scene with regard to the experience in our taprooms and maintaining a high standard of quality and innovation with our beers."
As part of their ongoing efforts to support local entrepreneurs and engage with the community, Good Line Beer Co. and the Texas Tech Innovation Hub are co-hosting a Tap Takeover event on Friday, February 7th, from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM. In collaboration with the Texas Tech Innovation Hub, this event offers the perfect opportunity to network with local entrepreneurs, Innovation Hub staff, faculty, students, and mentors while enjoying locally brewed beers and appetizers. Whether you're looking to launch your startup, connect with mentors, or simply expand your network, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
