Introduction
Brooks & Dunn’s “Beer Thirty” is a rollicking country anthem that captures the true essence of winding down after a long day. Released on October 25, 1999, as the second single from their sixth studio album Tight Rope, the song was co-written by Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride. It reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking a modest yet respectable success for the duo during that period.
The album Tight Rope, released just a month earlier on September 21, 1999, was produced by a combination of Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Byron Gallimore, and Don Cook . It notably departed from the duo’s prior platinum-certified output—this was their first project to miss that mark—and included only one Top Ten single, “You’ll Always Be Loved by Me”, which peaked at number five . “Beer Thirty,” with its upbeat tempo and sing-along charm, represented the album’s attempt to recapture fans’ attention after the lukewarm reception of the lead single—a cover of John Waite’s “Missing You”—which peaked at number 15.
Lyrically, “Beer Thirty” leans into the timeless country motif of trading workday worries for the comfort of cold beers and honky-tonk camaraderie. Its opening lines encapsulate the theme: “It’s beer thirty, a honky-tonk time…” . While not one of Brooks & Dunn’s highest-charting hits, the song earned a place in the duo’s repertoire and resonated with listeners who valued its lighthearted celebration of end-of-day relief .
The single’s accompanying music video, directed by Michael Merriman—who had previously helmed many of their iconic visuals—added to its appeal, presenting a lively, barroom setting that further magnified the song’s theme of letting loose after dark .
Overall, “Beer Thirty” reflects a moment of creative experimentation in Brooks & Dunn’s career. Rooted in their signature blend of honky-tonk and accessible mainstream country, the track remains a fun and authentic snapshot of late‑1990s country life—even as the album Tight Rope itself sits outside the duo’s more celebrated works.