Is San Antonio’s beer scene disappearing?

In the wake of three of San Antonio’s breweries revealing their sudden closure, the industry has started speculating over whether the Texan city’s beer scene has entered a “contraction phase” or if it has started to disappear entirely.

n the wake of three of San Antonio’s breweries revealing their sudden closure, the industry has started speculating over whether the Texan city’s beer scene has entered a “contraction phase” or if it has started to disappear entirely.

In what began with Künstler Tap Haus, based in Hemisfair, closing its doors on 18 October and Freetail Brewing Co closing its Southtown taproom after 11 years in business, the month is set to end with Faust Brewing Company wrapping up after 16 years and closing permanently on 31 October.

Challenges

At Künstler Tap Haus, local reports have highlighted how “ongoing construction blocked access” to the venue, which had already constrained car and foot traffic. Fortunately, the original Künstler location, Künstler Brewing in the Southtown Arts District, still remains open.

Freetail Brewing Co, known for beers like its La Muerta imperial stout and its 401K pilsner, has said it will continue operating its North Side brewery, but has already stopped retail distribution beyond its brewpubs.

In New Braunfels, Faust Brewing Company which is based inside the Faust Hotel, has marked its exit from the beer scene by sharing photos and memories via social media in the lead-up to its farewell at the end of the month. One silver lining is the fact that its sister location, The Black Whale Pub in downtown New Braunfels, will stay open.

A broader shake-up

Reports have outlined that collectively the closures represent more than the loss of three local businesses since they signal a broader shake-up in San Antonio’s beer scene.

Local brewers have said that the challenges faced have included rising ingredient costs along slower taproom traffic as well as diminished consumer spending. Added to this, there has been a rise in competition from beer alternatives.

According to the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, there were more brewery closings than openings last year, with industry watchers warning that “San Antonio’s beer market could be entering a contraction phase, similar to what’s already hitting Austin and Houston”.

Commenting online, beer fans have said: “It’s heartbreaking” and added: “These were the spots that made San Antonio feel like home.”

Is San Antonio’s beer scene disappearing?

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