San Antonio Brewpubs

This branch of Joey's is the first purpose built brewpub and restaurant in SA (as opposed to the retrofitted establishments which led the way for brewpubs here.) It also happens to be the best brewpub in town (by a large margin). Serving an excellent, full bodied Blonde (going by the name of golden), a mildly peated Smoked Dark Ale, a delightfully hoppy Pale Ale and an excellent bready and dry Stout. A new addition to the permanent line-up is a fantastic, hoppy (Saaz dominated) Pilsner that is easily the best brewpub Pilsner in Texas. Another excellent beer occasionally available is the Cask-Conditioned Pale Ale. Those of you that had a chance to sample this beer when it was brewed at Joey's know what I'm talking about: big bodied with super fresh hop taste and low carbonation. Really worth the trip. The beers are always clean and well executed on the large system which dominates the restaurant (2 jumbo and 3 large serving tanks reside in the bar area, and the entire "back" wall of the restaurant area is a glass enclosure for the brewing and fermenting areas.)
The Blue Star also serves some good food encompassing a wide range of styles.

Formerly SA's first brewpub, now just a good restaurant with a decent beer selection. Apparantly the margins on 15 gallon batches were just too tight to maintain.

Features around 37 on tap and nearly 400 beers overall (obviously a lot of beers on bottle). Atmosphere is OK, apparently serves a full menu...I only sampled a big plate of fried things (which was fine). Beer is pricey off tap (around $4) but reasonable on bottle ($2.50).

Formerly "The Laboratory." On the way back with new investors, and completely remodeled...including brewing legend Paul Farnsworth as supervising brewer. Still working on the homebrew side, but serving other beers in the interim.

Branch of the chain in Northwest SA, just North of 410 off Huebner. Somewhat smallish in comparison to the other chain-locations, but all the same ideas are in play: plenty of great taps and relaxed atmosphere.

Combination English style pub/bar and pool hall with a hint of sports bar thrown in. Maintains 20-30 taps, mostly bland variations of American Standard. A few standouts, particularly Rogue (usually Hazelnut Brown Nectar) and some other nice beers. Also maintains a large bottle selection (inexplicably, much of it recapitualtes the AS tap selection). Home to the most impressive air handling system I've ever experienced...even with tons of smokers the air is crisp and fresh, not at all smokey. Apparantly it is turned over completely every 7 minutes or something. Food available, I've never sampled any. Overall, a nice place but not exactly beer-hunter heaven.

Ceased brewing operations in late '97.
The brewery has been bought by Gambrinus (or, more directly, Shiner). They have made statements claiming it will become a test bed for future Shiner brews. That's exactly what they've used it for (to my great surprise). If you happen to drive by, don't be confused by the remaining Frio logos etc..., Frio is very definitely out of business.

Formerly "Grill on the Hill," now just a bar with inside and outside seating near the Health Science Center. Added several more taps and features fine beers such as Redhook Double Black Stout at cellar temperature. Also maitains a good bottle selection. Good food too.

This fine beer store with a wide selection of import and hard to find bottled beers has added some 50+ beer taps. While I've occasionally been disapointed with the quality of beer coming out of the taps (I think they need to do a little more line cleaning and keg rotaion out there!) the beer is usually reasonably fresh and cheap (H.D. allows you to bring your own mug and fill it for the price of a 12oz cup.) Selection varies, but usually there are 20-30 high quality brews on tap, and (of course) every possible permutation of American Standard fills the other 20 or so taps. Along with all this, the atmosphere on Harley night (Wednesdays) is unbeatable.
Paul Daly (daly@alhrt.brooks.af.mil) reports that it looks like a converted 7-Eleven with picnic tables inside & out; guitarist/singer Fri & Sat (maybe more nights;I've only been there weekends) 54 different beers on tap (though a dozen or so are basic domestics - Bud, MGD, etc); 'Round the World club (drink them all & get a t-shirt and plaque on wall.

Probably will not brew anymore (see Blue Star for the beer that used to be served here). Maintains a quality selection of commercial tap and bottle beer. Particular standout kegs on hand include Sierra Nevada Celebration and Bigfoot (when in season), SN Wheat and Pale, Anchor Steam and Merry Christmas, several Yellow Rose brews, and a number of other rotating quality taps. Also some bottles available, always well selected brands not otherwise available on tap. Also features a full bar, including a nice variety of single malt Scotch. All this and the best nachos ever created by man make Joey's well worth your time.

Closed...but will it re-open?
12 beer taps, beer menu has 41 listings;
Around the World Beer Club card has 22 locations with some prizes associated with repeat trips.

The finest bar on the riverwalk. Bass, Harps, Guinness, and other fine taps, plus peanuts, Irish drinking songs and nice atmosphere.

Closed, or at least in real trouble with the creditors...more info as it arises.
Formerly Kennedy's Pub, located in an old, interesting building serving tap Guiness and Bass, as well as a few other quality tap beers. Has a few in bottle, mostly American. The atmosphere is nice, and that nitrogen driven Guiness tap is always a plus anywhere you go. Beers are a bit pricey here, though.

San Antonio's longest operating homebrew store (raise your hand if you remember their first, tiny Fredericksburg Rd. location) has gone through a number of moves over the years, but the most recent move down to St. Mary's street has proved the most enlightened. Now featuring an in-house bar serving only excellent, hand selected and immaculately tended taps SAHBS has morphed from merely a fine supply store into one of the best bars in SA. The tap selection is constantly changing, but there are always about 10 beers available, with a few more in bottles. Owner and proprieter Todd Huntress tends to follow seasonal trends in his selections, featuring the freshest and best beers he can buy at any given time. If you don't already frequent this bar and you even like beer, you need to get down there today.
In the homebrew supply department: they've been doing it for years, and know what they're talking about. The homebrew store business is not terribly forgiving, and a store doesn't stick around this long without good reason. Excellent selection and stock is generally consistently maintained. Mention Southwest Brewing News to get a discount on varying special items.

Glenn, (glenn@leaklocationservices.com) reports: One is the pub and the other is a nightclub/band place. I forgot which is which. The pub has great pub food. I think the best in SA. This Baker Street is not the same as Baker Street Pub on Wurzbach.

Ceased operations in San Antonio. However, the brand and recipes were bought by Great Grains, which now brews the beers in Dallas. Visit my Yellow Rose for more info on the way the beers tasted when brewed in SA...let's just say I'm giving Great Grains some time to sort out the recipes and process.