Normally, February is for hunkering down for the winter, but San Antonio’s beer scene didn’t get the memo. From IPA wizards Pinthouse Pizza teasing its Alamo City debut to East Side staple Alamo Beer getting a six-figure glow-up, here’s this month’s essential beer news.
Alamo Beer gets a facelift
The Alamo Beer Co. is closed to the public for at least a couple of months, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening at the beloved East Side brewery. When current renovations are completed, returning fans will see a few noticeable changes.
Contractors are currently busy with nearly $212,000 in renovations to the beer hall and restroom area. The project is starting only weeks after Australia-based private equity firm SKJ Capital finalized its acquisition of the San Antonio brewery after it declared bankruptcy.
At the time, Alamo Beer’s founder Eugene Simor confirmed SKJ Capital’s acquisition and assured the public that the pioneering brewery would remain operational in San Antonio. Melody Selby, SKJ Capital’s marketing manager, says her company is refreshing the look and feel of the East Side complex.
“We’re reintroducing Alamo Beer to the community,” she says. “We’re going to honor where (Alamo Beer) came from. We’re just putting on a new face.”
Selby also says the new owners look to refresh the Alamo Beer brand, too. The new owners hope to have the beer hall and restroom improvements finished before Fiesta. Meanwhile, beer distribution will continue.
Pinthouse Pizza is gearing up to a spring debut.Pinthouse Pizza/ Facebook
Pinthouse Pizza talks timing
It won’t be long before local fans of Pinthouse Pizza will be able to sink into the Austin-based brewpub’s famed pies and IPAs. Pinthouse Pizza recently took to social media to update beer lovers on the construction of a $2.7 million, 8,500-square-foot brewpub at the Landmark North retail center, at the southeast corner of the I-10 and Loop 1604 interchange.
According to a February 9 teaser, construction is proceeding smoothly, and San Antonio’s first Pinthouse Pizza location is on track to open early this spring.
“Our brewers are getting the brewery built out, and we’re hoping to have some tasty brews hitting tanks soon,” a Facebook posting states.Company representatives say they will spend the next several weeks sharing more of Pinthouse Pizza’s history and menu.
Roadmap Brewing gives back
Roadmap Brewing Co. and San Antonio nonprofit Footbridge Foundation have partnered up to lend a hand to local dogs and cats. Now through February 28, Roadmap will donate $1 from every sale of house drip coffee, pilsner, and non-alcoholic beer to the organization, which works to rehabilitate and adopt out shelter and stray pets to new homes around San Antonio and across the country.
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is ready for the rodeo.Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery/ Facebook
Southerleigh lassos rodeo scholarships
It’s rodeo time in San Antonio, and Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is offering a specialty cocktail that lets cowpokes sip for a cause.The Pearl district brewpub will donate a portion of each sale of the 8 Second Sunset to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s scholarship program. Guests can say howdy to the mix of Surtierra blanco tequila, pineapple, lemon, agave, and bitters all February.
What’s new on tap
Just because the holidays are long over doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of winter brews and cocktails. Here’s a rundown of some new drinks recently released by San Antonio-area breweries:
- Altstrata APA, a citrus pale ale available only at Altstadt Brewery
- Red Dirt Rodeo, Free Roam Brewing Co.’s newest seasonal American red ale with citrus-y American hops
- Fwosters, an Australian sparkling ale and a twist on the famed Aussie cousin, Fosters, from Thirsty Pups Brewery.
- Cactus Land Brewing Co.‘s riff on the classic Long Island Iced Tea with Bourbon, tequila, gin, vodka, triple sec, lemon, Coke, and a likely hangover .
