Despite his acting schedule, Ackles helped shape the brewery’s design, construction and constantly evolving beer selection.
For Jensen Ackles, the idea of a family business was already part of his professional mythology. After years of playing Dean Winchester on Supernatural, where family, loyalty and adventure formed the heart of the story, the actor brought a version of that ethos into real life.
In Dripping Springs, Texas, Ackles, his wife Danneel and brother-in-law Gino Graul transformed a 15-acre property into Family Business Beer Co., a destination built around craft beer, food, music and community. What began as a backyard experiment eventually became a full-fledged brewery, although its journey has since taken a different direction. Scroll down read the details.
From backyard brews to a Texas destination
The origins of Family Business Beer Co. were surprisingly informal.
While living in California, Ackles and the Graul family began experimenting with a small brewing system that had been stored in the actor's backyard. Weekend brewing sessions gradually developed into a genuine passion, prompting Gino Graul to pursue formal brewing education, including studies at UC Davis and the Siebel Institute in Chicago, states a 2018 Forbes report.The family eventually brought the concept to Texas, where Ackles and Danneel had settled after moving to Austin in 2014.
Construction on the Dripping Springs brewery began in 2017, turning their interest in craft beer into a substantial hospitality venture.According to Forbes, Ackles remained deeply involved in the project despite his demanding acting schedule, contributing to everything from design and construction details to testing the brewery's evolving selection of beers.
More than just a brewery
According to Yahoo, when Family Business Beer Co. opened in January 2018, it was designed as an experience rather than simply a place to grab a drink.
The sprawling property included a taproom, outdoor spaces, children's playground areas, games and a stage for live music.Food was also central to the concept. The property became home to Jep's Southern Roots, a food truck operated by Duck Dynasty personalities Jep and Jessica Robertson, bringing Southern comfort food and Cajun-inspired dishes into the mix. Local wines and non-alcoholic beverages ensured the destination's appeal beyond beer.As reported by Yahoo, the brewery was conceived around bringing people together through good beer, music and food, while its name offered a playful connection to Ackles' Supernatural legacy. "Family Business" echoed one of the show's most recognisable themes while also reflecting the venture's genuinely family-run foundation.
A changing business model
At its peak, the brewery offered a constantly evolving lineup, with roughly 10 to 12 styles available at different times.
Rather than relying on a fixed menu, the brewing team experimented with seasonal releases, rotating IPAs, lagers, ales and barrel-aged beers.But in May 2024, Family Business announced a major change. The Dripping Springs location would close to the public as the company shifted its focus towards distributing its beers across Texas, states the official website.The brewery said its products would continue to be available through local retailers, while its team would concentrate on strengthening relationships with on- and off-premise partners in Austin, San Antonio and Houston.
Its seasonal beers and rotating IPA series also returned, including Supe Juice Hazy IPA, the website report claims.The evolution marks a new chapter for Family Business Beer Co. The destination taproom may have closed, but the family venture continues to carry its Texas identity into stores and markets across the state.Images Courtesy: istock and Instagram/jensenackles