The long-awaited grand opening of Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery began with a line of customers waiting outside for the doors to open Saturday, Dec. 5.
The newest downtown Garland business didn’t disappoint those who waited. There was a large, steady crowd throughout the day and evening to enjoy owner Cary Hodson’s craft beer along with a delicious variety of smokehouse meats and other lunch and dinner options.
Located at 509 West State Street, Intrinsic is housed in a beautifully renovated building with a rustic, cozy feel. Hodson, his business partner and brother-in-law Casey Vincent, building owner Robert Smith, and many others worked countless hours to transform the site.
Hodson, a Deep Ellum Brewing Co. award-winning brewer, hopes that his business will be a positive influence in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Garland.
“Garland can be cool and the square is just going to get better and better. We just need people to show up,” Hodson said. “Something like this, taking all of our talents and pooling them into one place allows us to become business owners in the 
community which then translates to becoming leaders in our community.”
A couple of friends who know him from the home brewing community rode the DART rail from Dallas to attend the opening. They liked the feel of the building and especially enjoyed the adjoining patio which is a burnt out building that is now being used as an event venue.
Members of the Naylor family, long-time Garland residents, were on-hand for the grand opening and all agree that the brewery is a positive thing for downtown Garland. They said that they had been waiting for years for the Garland downtown area to be revitalized and that they would be returning.
Another group of long-time residents said that it will be great to be able to stay in their own town and have a night out and they believe that Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery could serve as a catalyst for more development in downtown Garland.
Hodson was thrilled with the turnout and also celebrated his 30th birthday on grand opening day.
“This has been the best birthday ever,” he said. “I’ve got all my family here helping out and lots of volunteers. It’s great.”
Hodson’s family members, who have worked long hours with him to get the business up and running, were excited to see his idea come to fruition.
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Check it out Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.