The World’s Fair might have left Hemisfair decades ago, but a new business will soon be bringing international flavor to the beloved San Antonio park. In a release, Künstler Brewing announced that it would be opening a new brewpub in Yanaguana Garden by summer 2022.
The concept is the second for owners Vera and Brent Deckard, who opened their flagship brewery in Southtown in 2017. The upcoming location will occupy the historic Pereida House next door to Paleteria San Antonio. The State Antiquities Landmark was once a part of the vibrant immigrant community Germantown before the neighborhood was mostly flattened to host HemisFair ’68.
“It’s fitting that Künstler, which is German for ‘artist,’ would come to Hemisfair to be surrounded by public art and homes from the Germantown neighborhood that existed here before the 1968 World’s Fair,” said Andres Andujar, CEO of Hemisfair, via the release.
On tap will be a selection of craft beer brewed under the direction of Vera Deckard — one of the state’s few female head brewers. Künstler focuses on contemporary interpretations of German classics like goses, hefeweizens, and doppelbocks while leaving room for contemporary beers’ more playful approach. Künstler’s popular Hawaiian Fog, for instance, uses tropical fruits like guava and passion fruit in an East Coast-style IPA.
Whether visitors opt for traditional or otherwise, the beers will be accompanied by culinary offerings such as Künstler’s signature bratwurst. Although a full menu has not been announced just yet, the release promises plenty of to-go bites that can be enjoyed on the Yanaguana Garden grounds. The accessible fare can also be devoured inside, on the porch, or in an outdoor patio space — expanding the communal appeal.
“We are beyond excited and humbled to join the Hemisfair family,” says Vera Deckard. “We have a shared love of our community, coming together, and neighbors gathering to celebrate one another and all San Antonio has to offer. We have seen how wonderfully this space and community has grown.”
Indeed, Künstler is just one of the new occupants that will soon activate the landmark. Bombay Bicycle Club, Box Street Social, and Jerk Shack are set to make their Hemisfair debuts in the upcoming months. The Hemisfair Conservancy is also working hard to secure funding to renovate the 11 remaining buildings on the site to host new tenants.
Künstler Brewing favorites, like this doppelbock, will be available at the new location.
