Editor's note: The bustling San Antonio beer scene is always changing — usually with openings and closures, but there are other twists along the way. Let's discuss it over a cold one.
Beer production has resumed at Black Laboratory Brewing on San Antonio's East Side.
Star Republic arises in the Hill Country
Star Republic Brewery opened its doors to the public during the Fourth of July weekend, operating from the former site of Rough Diamond Brewery, which shuttered in 2022 following a few years of operation..
Located in Spring Branch off U.S. 281, a short drive north of San Antonio city limits, Star Republic sits on a 6-acre site, brewing up beers that the brewery’s officials say are inspired by the Hill Country and Texas traditions.
Star Republic was founded by Craig Stephens, a U.S. Naval veteran who also owns a local company, Alamo City Engineering Services. The head brewer is Jessie Pagan, who has worked at a handful of breweries between San Antonio and Austin, most recently at Weathered Souls Brewing.
Pagan is assisted by Paige Martin, a certified cicerone who has been active with multiple local, state, and national beer brewer advocacy organizations. She also previously worked at Second Pitch Beer Co., which abruptly closed in March.
To date, Pagan and Martin have brewed up Star Republic beers such as Chill Country, an American lager; Chill Country Light, an American light lager; Devilish Critters, a Schwarzbier; and Mutton Buster, a fruited sour. Upcoming brews include Downshifter, Well Hell, Velvet Two Step, Tropical Cowboy, Monolito, and Rainshadow.
Star Republic is currently are serving visitors at 101 Kendalia Circle from noon to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. A food truck or two are also available on site. Brewery representatives said there are plans to keep evolving the property in order to attract families looking to make a day of their outing. Such plans include an on-site steakhouse and new tap room.
Beer production returns at Black Laboratory
The folks at Black Laboratory Brewing surprised many local craft beer fans when the East Side brewery stopped making beer and turned to hard seltzers.
Black Laboratory is back in the beer-making business, but has not given up the seltzers. Representatives for the brewery posted on social media in mid-July to announce a resumption of beer-brewing operations, although not to the extent they had been with a full lineup of beers.
For now, Black Laboratory has resurrected two popular originals: the Bindi Blonde Ale, a Kolsch-style ale, and Mox’s IPA, an American IPA. But they did release a new limited batch of Space Force Idaho 7, a hazy IPA continuation of their Space Force series using Idaho 7 hops.
Black Laboratory continues to have multiple guest beers, seltzers, and ciders on tap alongside wine, a number of non-alcoholic options, and a food menu from 2-1-Dough Pizza Co.
