Walk through the door at Celestial Beerworks on a Saturday afternoon and you might find yourself doing a double take. The space-themed murals covering the walls, the glittering disco ball catching light from the high warehouse ceilings, and the cosmic color scheme make you feel like you have stepped into some interstellar lounge rather than a Dallas brewery. But the beers pouring from the taps ground you firmly back in Texas, specifically at 2530 Butler Street in the Medical District, where Matt and Molly Reynolds have been serving hop-forward craft beer since fall 2018.
The building itself tells part of the story. Before it became a taproom, the warehouse space served as a garden and fountain shop, which meant the couple faced a significant renovation project when they signed the lease. Friends and family helped gut the interior and rebuild it from scratch, transforming a utilitarian storage space into something that reflects both of their passions. Matt brought the brewing expertise, while Molly contributed her eye for art and design.
The colorful, space-themed interior at Celestial Beerworks features murals with spaceships and constellations designed by co-founder Molly Reynolds. Photo: Celestial Beerworks
The Engineer's Path to Professional Brewing
Matt Reynolds did not start his career planning to open a brewery. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Energy Engineering from the University of North Texas in 2011 and spent the next several years working as a design engineer and test evaluation engineer at Emerson Process Management in McKinney. The brewing started as a homebrewing hobby, something he pursued while maintaining his engineering day job.
But the beers he was making began gaining attention. In 2015, he made the leap to professional brewing, becoming head brewer at Malai Kitchen, a Thai-Vietnamese restaurant with locations in Dallas. There he oversaw the house beer program across the Uptown and Southlake locations, creating beers that complemented the Southeast Asian cuisine. His work did not go unnoticed, and in 2016 Zagat recognized him as one of Dallas's next culinary superstars.
While Matt was developing his brewing reputation, Molly was teaching art at an elementary school in Oak Cliff and working as an art director. The two shared a vision for combining their skills into something they could build together. They wanted a space where Matt could pursue his "borderline unhealthy obsession with hops" and where Molly could create an environment that felt genuinely artistic rather than simply decorated.
Opening in the Medical District
Fall 2018 marked the official opening of Celestial Beerworks, and the brewery hit the ground running. Within months, four of their beers had landed in the top 15 beers in DFW on Untappd, a remarkable early showing for a new operation. The Medical District location proved strategic, offering easy access from across the metroplex while sitting in a neighborhood that was experiencing renewed interest from developers and food and beverage operators.
The location at 2530 Butler Street sits in what is technically the Medical District, though it borders the Design District and Oak Lawn neighborhoods. The warehouse-style building provides the high ceilings and open floor plan that work well for taprooms, and the exterior offers space for outdoor seating on pleasant days.
The Beer Program
Celestial Beerworks built its reputation on hazy IPAs, particularly the New England style that emphasizes juicy hop character over bitterness. But limiting them to a single style would be inaccurate. Their beer board regularly features stouts, lagers, sours, pilsners, and experimental offerings alongside the IPAs that draw many first-time visitors.
The brewery maintains a rotating selection of small-batch and seasonal beers rather than a fixed core lineup, which means regulars always have something new to try. Their Untappd profile shows 635 different beers brewed since opening, an impressive volume that speaks to their experimental approach.
Several beers have emerged as standouts based on ratings and repeat appearances. Odysseus, a 10 percent ABV triple New England IPA, carries a 4.27 rating on Untappd and represents the upper end of their hazy offerings. Astrophage, an 8 percent imperial hazy IPA, sits at 4.32. Mailer Daemon, an 8.5 percent double hazy IPA, holds a 4.14 rating. Battery Sufficiently Charged, a 7 percent hazy IPA, maintains a 4.09. These ratings come from substantial sample sizes, not just a handful of check-ins.
But the menu extends beyond IPAs. The Ad Reinhardt, named after the abstract expressionist painter, is a 10 percent imperial stout brewed with locally roasted coffee that has received praise for its richness and balance. Ube Tropic, a fruited Berliner Weisse brewed with ube and tropical fruits, offers something completely different for the IPA-averse. The brewery even produces an Italian-style pilsner called Galactic Gondola for those seeking something lighter and crisper.
A flight of hazy IPAs at Celestial Beerworks, showcasing the brewery's signature style. Photo: Yelp user
Art and Atmosphere
The space theme runs throughout the taproom, from the names of the beers to the murals covering the walls. Kepler, One Small Step, One Giant Leap, and other celestial references appear on the menu board. Molly's artistic direction created an environment that feels intentionally designed rather than assembled from whatever was available.
The result is what several reviewers have described as one of the most photographable taprooms in Dallas. The colorful decor, high ceilings, and abundant natural light create a setting that works equally well for casual afternoon drinking and private events. The brewery hosts trivia nights, music bingo, yoga sessions, and private parties, using the flexible space to build community engagement.
The outdoor seating area provides additional space when weather permits, and the dog-friendly policy makes it a regular stop for pet owners looking to enjoy a beer with their four-legged companions. Board games are available for guests who want to linger, and the family-friendly atmosphere means you will see a mix of ages and groups on any given visit.
The Cosmic Cantina
Unlike many taprooms that rely on food trucks rotating through or allow guests to bring in outside food, Celestial Beerworks operates its own on-site food truck called Cosmic Cantina. The truck serves authentic Mexican street food daily, with hours running Monday through Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8:00 p.m.
The menu includes tacos, burritos, queso, and vegetarian options. Reviewers consistently mention the steak tacos and the quality of the queso as highlights. Having a dedicated food operation means consistency that rotating trucks cannot match, and it ensures guests always have access to food without having to plan around a truck schedule or leave the premises.
What Reviewers Say
The ratings across platforms tell a consistent story. On Untappd, Celestial Beerworks holds a 4.11 overall rating with over 223,000 total ratings from more than 36,000 unique users. Google reviews give the brewery 4.8 stars from 470 reviews. Yelp shows 4.6 stars from 125 reviews. These numbers represent substantial feedback volumes and consistent satisfaction across different user bases.
The praise tends to cluster around several themes. The hazy IPAs receive regular compliments for being flavorful and well-executed. Reviewers mention the juiciness and balance that can be difficult to achieve in the style. The atmosphere gets frequent mention for being unique and visually striking. Several reviewers note that the space feels designed with intention rather than thrown together.
Service receives generally positive marks, with staff described as knowledgeable about the beer and friendly. The food truck earns praise for quality and value. The outdoor seating and dog-friendly policy are regularly mentioned as reasons for choosing Celestial over other options.
The criticisms are relatively minor and typical for the industry. Some reviewers note that parking can require a short walk since there is no dedicated lot, though street parking is generally available. A few mention that the rotating taplist means a favorite beer might not be available on the next visit, which is the trade-off for a small-batch approach. One reviewer described the Ube Tropic as a "one and done" beer, interesting to try but not something they would order repeatedly, which is a fair assessment of experimental offerings.
Awards and Recognition
The brewery's website claims they are "rated best beer in North Texas, year after year," and they have the hardware to support the boast. At the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Celestial Beerworks won three medals: a gold for Kashmir, a mixed culture Brett beer brewed in collaboration with Mox Nix; a silver for Satellite, an American light lager; and a bronze for It's All Happening, an English barleywine.
The Zagat recognition that Matt received in 2016 while at Malai Kitchen carried over into the new venture, lending credibility before the first pint was poured at Butler Street. The early placement of multiple beers in DFW's Untappd top 15 established momentum that the brewery has maintained.
The Current Experience
Today Celestial Beerworks operates with consistent hours and a full calendar of events. The taproom opens at 2:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, staying open until 9:00 p.m. Thursday extends to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday run from noon to 11:00 p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 9:00 p.m.
The pricing structure reflects a quality-over-quantity approach. Rather than offering standard 16-ounce pours for individual beers, Celestial serves 12-ounce glasses priced between $6.50 and $7. Their "mission" flights offer three 8-ounce pours for $14, providing a more substantial sampling experience than typical small tasting glasses. Crowlers run $11 to $14, and four-packs of 16-ounce cans range from $18 to $20.
The brewery can be reached at (972) 707-0523 for questions about current taplists, private events, or reservations. Their website maintains a beer menu, though the rotating nature of their offerings means calling ahead for specific requests is advisable.
Visiting Celestial Beerworks
Celestial Beerworks sits at 2530 Butler Street in Dallas's Medical District, roughly bounded by the Design District to the east and Oak Lawn to the south. The location offers relatively easy access from Interstate 35E and Highway 183, making it convenient from most parts of the metroplex.
The taproom provides something genuinely different in a market that has seen dozens of brewery openings in recent years. The combination of Matt's brewing expertise, Molly's artistic vision, and their shared commitment to creating a welcoming community space has resulted in a destination that earns repeat visits. Whether you are a committed hazy IPA enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a well-designed taproom with solid beer and good tacos, Celestial Beerworks delivers.
The brewery represents what happens when two people with complementary skills decide to build something together. An engineer who learned brewing as a hobby and turned it into a career, and an art director who wanted to create a space as visually interesting as the beer being poured inside it. Six years after opening, they have established themselves as a fixture in the Dallas craft beer landscape, with the ratings, awards, and loyal following to prove it.
Sources
Dearmore, Kelly. "Celestial Beerworks Is Brewing (Inter-)Stellar Beer in the Dallas Medical District." Dallas Observer, 2019. https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/celestial-beerworks-is-brewing-stellar-beer-in-the-dallas-medical-district-11587806 (Accessed March 2026). Review of taproom, beers including Bar Graph with Pink Pearl Apples, Ad Reinhardt imperial stout, and Apollo 11 imperial IPA, along with pricing and Matt Reynolds background.
Celestial Beerworks. "About Us." https://www.celestialbeerworks.com/about-us-mojave (Accessed March 2026). Official brewery description, hours, contact information, and claims regarding "best beer in North Texas" recognition.
Untappd. "Celestial Beerworks." https://untappd.com/brewery/360425 (Accessed March 2026). Brewery statistics showing 4.11 overall rating from 223,575 total ratings, 635 beers in catalog, and 275,147 total check-ins.
Untappd. "Celestial Beerworks - Venue." https://untappd.com/v/celestial-beerworks/7757479 (Accessed March 2026). Venue details including 114,293 total check-ins, amenities, and current taplist with ratings for individual beers.
Postcard. "Celestial Beerworks." https://www.postcard.inc/places/celestial-beerworks-dallas-Y1fBeCw3j6I (Accessed March 2026). Aggregated ratings showing Google 4.8 stars (470 reviews) and Yelp 4.6 stars (125 reviews), along with amenities and atmosphere descriptions.
NTX Beer. "NTX Breweries Win 18 Medals in 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship." https://ntxbeer.net/2024/07/08/north-texas-breweries-win-18-awards-in-2024-u-s-open-beer-championship/ (Accessed March 2026). Award details for Celestial Beerworks' three medals at the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship.
Reynolds, Matt. LinkedIn Profile. https://linkedin.com/in/matt-reynolds-3a11a049 (Accessed March 2026). Professional background showing University of North Texas degree, engineering career at Emerson Process Management, and transition to brewing at Malai Kitchen.
Beer in Big D. "Otherworldly Art and Offerings on Tap at Celestial Beerworks." https://www.beerinbigd.com/2018/10/otherwordly-art-and-offerings-on-tap-at.html (Accessed March 2026). Early coverage of the brewery's October 2018 opening, beer names, and Molly Reynolds' artistic contributions.