The bustling San Antonio beer scene always gives Alamo City something to discuss over a cold one. From several local breweries winning awards at a craft beer throw-down to loyalty perks at Dos Sirenos Brewing, we've untapped all the essential brewery news this month.
Gold standard
Craft beer fans flocked to the Hill Country on June 13 and 14 to celebrate the fourth annual Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival. Several Texas breweries competed in 20-plus categories, but only 11 San Antonio-area breweries took home a coveted medal:
- Back Unturned Brewing from downtown San Antonio won two medals. Its Hawaii 210 received second place in the sour and wild ale category, and its hefeweizen was awarded a bronze medal in the German wheat beer category.
- Johnson City's Pecan Street Brewing and its Bring Da Rauchus, a Bamburg-style beer, placed first in the amber malty European lager category. Also, Pecan Street's High Hopes, a West Coast IPA, claimed the gold medal as the contest's top specialty IPA.
- A pecan coffee porter from Fredericksburg's Belly Up Brew Pub was named the best specialty and spiced beer. Belly Up also won a bronze medal in the amber and brown American beer category with its Shovelhead Amber Ale.
- Marble Falls' Save the World Brewery and its tripel received a gold medal in the Belgian beer category. Save the World also received a bronze medal in the hazy IPA category with its Chasing Broncos brew.
- Free Roam Brewing from Boerne won two medals, as its Quick Clouds was named the top hazy IPA, and its Stand Up tripel placed third in the Belgian category.
- Another Boerne producer, Cibolo Creek Brewing, won two medals in the Czech lager category, as a silver medal was awarded to Enric's Czech Pilz, and a bronze medal went to the Czech Mate dark lager.
- Altstadt Brewery in Fredericksburg won two medals in the British ale category — a gold with Goggan's barleywine and a bronze with Santiago's porter.
- Also in the British ale category, Double Horn Brewing from Marble Falls and its Midnight Rider porter were awarded a silver medal.
- Blanco's Real Ale Brewing's popular Hans Pils was named the top German pilsner.
- Located just outside San Antonio, Cactus Land Brewing received three medals. Its Czech Yes placed second in the international lager category. Cactus Land's Billie Irish won a bronze medal in the Irish beer category, and When the Sun Gose Down was named third-best wild and sour ale in the competition.
- Old 290 Brewery and Restaurant from Johnson City saw its Hawkshaw Helles place second among pale malty German lagers. Also, Old 290's Hell Raiser received a bronze medal in the wood-aged beer category.
Dos Sirenos just launched a monthly membership program.Dos Sirenos Brewing/ Facebook
Pint perks
Southtown's Dos Sirenos Brewing has launched its own app, which enables users to enroll in the brewer's new loyalty punch card program. Ten visits earn a user a reward.
Additionally, Dos Sirenos is kicking off a monthly membership program with a $10 monthly fee. A member gets one $1 beer each week of the month, with discounts available on the member's birthday month.
Can-do spirit
Star Republic Brewery is canning for the first time, according to a recent social media post from the Spring Branch brewery. No exact details were provided with the reveal, but the post promised the cans would soon be available from the Spring Branch brewery and select retailers.
Star Republic, in the meantime, is marking its first anniversary with a two-day celebration on July 4 and 5 with new beer releases, live music, food trucks, games, and more.
Summer sips
Several San Antonio-area breweries have been untapping new seasonal beers and re-releasing renowned seasonal favorites. Here are just a few places to enjoy a summer brew:
- Cibolo Creek Brewing in downtown Boerne has reintroduced its award-winning Haupstrasse German pilsner, which won a Silver Medal at the 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Guild Cup in the German pilsner category.
- Refuge Coffee and Beer Garden is serving up a blood orange pilsner from Corpus Christi's Nueces Brewing Co.
- Thirsty Pups Brewery is offering It's a Sweater, a Mexican-style lager brewed with pilsner malt, a touch of Vienna malt, and flaked corn.
- Breakaway Brewing Co. recently debuted Endo, a West Coast IPA that includes four different hops.
- Big Hops on Bitters Road is offering Electric Lemonade, a 10% ABV sour made with oranges and lemonade courtesy of Martin House Brewing.
