One of the gems of our recent visit to San Antonio was Alamo Beer Company. What sold me on going to the brewery was the recommendation of their area sales rep, Kerrie Crosby, who said, “ALWAYS go to the brewery.” That demand was spot on and now I know why.
First of all, just look at the place. It’s a gorgeous facility close to downtown San Antonio. The train frequently runs next to the brewery offering a cool ambiance and rumble when you’re sitting in the outdoor beer garden.
My main reason for going to the brewery was to find the elusive Maibock that I’ve heard so much about. I’ve searched throughout Houston and can’t seem to find anything except their staple Golden Ale. The commitment to traditional German brews didn’t make finding the Maibock a desire, it made it a quest. A quest for the one thing I couldn’t find.
When I arrive, naturally, the first beer I order is the Maibock. Just as I imagined, it’s so stellar that I wish it wasn’t just a spring seasonal lager. Considering that my visit was during a dreary and rainy day, it seemed like the perfect brew to evoke springtime. The sweetness of the brew was set off by the toffee and caramel characteristics in the body. Unbelievably smooth, I killed that beer in about 10 minutes and immediately wanted another. Once I found out it was 6.9% ABV, I quickly realized I should nurse my second one to avoid stumbling out of the place.
At first, the brewery was sparsely populated with only a handful of patrons when we arrived. However, we got there right after opening and within an hour, the place quickly filled up. The community long-tables allow you to get to know your neighbor in a friendly environment where everybody seems to be having a great time.
The beer hall is separate from the brewing facility. If you can, take the tour because you really get to see their setup and realize that bottling is such a huge part of what they do, it takes up literally half of the brewhouse. In a very short amount of time, they have established themselves as one of the hot places to visit on a trip to San Antonio and their increased availability in major markets like Houston, Austin, and North Texas mean that more people are becoming aware of the brewery and their refreshing beers that suit Texas like a glove.
Our new HTX rep will roll out that Maibock. She has tastings set up all over the city and surrounding areas. I’ll tell her to add you!
Stoked about that! It’s a great beer and with May wrapping up, I want to grab some before it starts going away for the season. Thanks Kerrie!