A new brewery is on tap as the team behind Bearded Fox Brewing Co. has announced plans to debut a location in Cypress. “If you look at where No Label is in Katy and 11 Below Brewing [is in the Willowbrook area], we would be right in between those two locations,” owner Mike Sturm said. “We thought Cypress would be a great place because No. 1, it’s home, but it could use something to be a draw for the area.” Sturm and fellow owners Marcus Garcia, Steve Early, Trey Looney, Randall Clark and Russell Klasel came up with the idea to open a brewery late last year. The team—many of whom live in Cypress—has the brewing equipment ready in storage but needs to finalize a location. Once a location has been decided, Bearded Fox Brewing Co. can apply for state and federal licenses, which can take 90-120 days. The brewery could be open by early next year, Sturm said. During their years as homebrewers the business partners developed an IPA recipe, an imperial stout and a new lager. Bearded Fox Brewing Co. also developed a stronger beer that is 14 percent alcohol by volume. “It was a conglomeration of extra grain and hops we have, and it turned out to be a really good bear,” Sturm said. “It’s a high alcohol, high gravity beer, and we may keep it as a seasonal beer.” Once the taproom opens to the public, Bearded Fox Brewing Co. will invite food trucks out to the brewery and will have games, such as corn hole, on-site, Sturm said. “Cypress is a great community, and I’d like to keep the brewery here at home,” he said. For more details on Bearded Fox Brewing Co., visit www.beardedfoxbrewing.com.