New Brew

Iconic Texas beer cracks open first-ever non-alcoholic brew

Shiner lovers can now choose similar brews with less than 0.5 percent ABV.

Photo courtesy of Shiner Beer.

One of the most iconic Texas breweries, Shiner Bock has created a culture around its brews for nostalgic and unfussy drinkers. And now even San Antonians who aren't drinking alcohol can be part of the Shiner gang.

On November 20, the brand (made at Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas) announced its first-ever non-alcoholic series, Shiner Rodeo (styled Rode0).

It all starts with one beer: Rodeo Golden Brew, which according to a news release, will still taste like a Shiner beer even without the alcoholic kick — totaling less than 0.5 percent. (That's about as much or a little more than kombucha.)

"Styled after a classic American lager, this light and refreshing brew offers crisp and malty notes that are perfectly balanced by delicate esters and a gentle hop profile," it notes.

Rodeo Golden Brew will be available by January, when many people who are usually beer drinkers are experimenting with a pause — sometimes as "Dry January." The brewery will expand the line in the following year, including a red amber beer.

The release also pointed out a trend in 2023, which saw non-alcoholic sales rise more than 17 percent in Texas. This was a significant jump, but still less than in the rest of the country, where they rose 23 percent overall. It must have been enough to inspire change at a more than 100-year-old brewery — Shiner Bock's timeline places its first drops since "about" 1909.

This news comes six months after Spoetzl Brewery announced a new onsite distillery, K. Spoetzl Distilling Company. This addition enabled Shiner Bock to expand its portfolio to vodka, gin, moonshine, and eventually barrel-aged spirits still to come.

"Fans of Shiner have consistently requested non-alcoholic options to complement our more traditional beers," said Director of Brewery & Distillery Operations Tom Fiorenzi in the release. "We're proud to introduce the first of three non-alcoholic brews to our fans. Brewed using the same method as our iconic Shiner beers, the Shiner Rode0 line is authentically Shiner, just without the alcohol."

Drinks At Home

Destination bar revives 114-year-old house in downtown San Antonio

Bar House San Antonio/Facebook

Bar House San Antonio, an expansion of Schertz-based Bar House, is tentatively slated to have soft opening in early November.

A century-old home in downtown San Antonio has been transformed into the area’s newest bar. Nick Marquez, owner of Bar House San Antonio, wants visitors to think of the venue as a must-see destination, instead of just another neighborhood watering hole.

“This is really a large hangout spot — a headquarters for hanging out,” Marquez said of the new bar located at 820 N. Alamo St.

This is the first San Antonio location for Bar House, a popular venue in Schertz that opened in 2018. Marquez said he hopes to have a soft opening for Bar House during the first week of November, a time to complete staff training while en route to a grand opening.

According to Marquez, Bar House San Antonio’s vibe will be different from its Schertz counterpart.

The 10,600-square-foot bar is located in a totally restored house originally built in 1910. Bar House San Antonio offers multiple bars, VIP spaces, and plenty of seating throughout the structure, which was expanded from two to three stories during the restoration.

The additional space features a rooftop patio, a television screen wall, an area for a DJ, and views of the downtown skyline.

The bar also includes an elevator and a large, custom-built chandelier. Patrons will have access to a food truck.

While Marquez owns multiple commercial properties in the Schertz and Cibolo area northeast of San Antonio, he has long wanted to set up shop in downtown.

Particularly, Marquez was drawn to the emerging River North neighborhood. There, Bar House San Antonio will join nearby venues such as the Lucky Duck restaurant, Bentley’s Beer Garden, La Roca Cantina, and Roadmap Brewing Co. in a growing nightlife district between Broadway Street, San Antonio River, and North Alamo Street.

“Downtown is growing. I grew up in the San Antonio area, so I've always wanted to be a part of downtown, and I think there's a huge boom,” Marquez said. “Being part of a major city, I’m also showing what I can do as far as restoring properties with my bar-owner knowledge.”

Given the space surrounding Bar House San Antonio, Marquez envisions his venue as welcoming anyone and everyone. He plans to have a Thanksgiving Eve party in the parking lot as one of his first big events.

Marquez said he feels Bar House will have something for everyone.

“I've built this so large and so detailed that I wanted it to be a destination,” Marquez said. “I want tourists to come to North Alamo Street, and not just stay by the River Walk or the convention center.”

Marquez said Bar House San Antonio cannot be described in one category.

“It's not a beach bar. It's not a genre bar. It's for everyone, from 21 to 70,” he said.

Bar House San Antonio/Facebook

Bar House San Antonio, an expansion of Schertz-based Bar House, is tentatively slated to have soft opening in early November.

Right now, Bar House's website is just a contact form. More information is available on Instagram.

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