The bustling San Antonio beer scene always gives Alamo City something to discuss over a cold one. From the sale of a sudsy franchise to Boerne being tapped to host a major brewery event to the release of tasty fall seasonals, we’ve untapped all the essential brewery news this month.
Big moves at Big Hops
Ever dreamed of owning a pub? Brian and Melissa Orosco, owners of the far West Side craft beer bar Big Hops Shaenfield, announced on November 9 that they would end their ownership after their current lease and franchise contract expires.
Posting on the Big Hops Shaenfield page, the Oroscos said it was no easy decision to part ways with Big Hops. The couple has been running the location at Shaenfield Road and Loop 1604 since 2017, one of the first local bars to offer beers to-go.
Known for its massive craft beer list, Big Hops once had multiple locations across the San Antonio area, including downtown, New Braunfels, and Cibolo. But several of the outposts have closed up in recent years. Now, only the Shaenfield and long-established Bitters Road locations remain under the Big Hops umbrella.
The Oroscos said they hope to soon find a suitable new owner to take over the lease at the Shaenfield Ranch Center, the host retail center where planned building improvements may allow tenants such as Big Hops to expand.
“We are looking for someone passionate to take the reins and lead Big Hops Shaenfield into the future,” the Oroscos posted. “This is a unique opportunity to acquire a well-established brand with a loyal customer base, an amazing staff, and a prime location that is about to get even better with the completion of building phase two. We are prepared to provide guidance and support for taking over the lease and franchise, ensuring a smooth transition.”
Anyone interested in the Big Hops Shaenfield location is asked to email brian@bighops.com and melissa@bighops.com.
Roadmap Brewing is among a handful of local breweries serving seasonal sips.Roadmap Brewing/ Facebook
Seasonal sips
Fall and the holiday season always bring out all sorts of seasonal beers, and there’s no shortage of new and returning seasonals in the San Antonio area.
Roadmap Brewing Co. created Pan de Muertos, an orange and vanilla golden ale inspired by the classic seasonal pan dulce.Freetail Brewing Co. is offering two variations of its famed Día de los Muertos-inspired La Muerta imperial stout — the core beer and a chocolate small batch. Freetail is also offering a 2022 La Muerta version with cocoa nibs and Balaton cherries.Roughhouse Brewing Co. is serving up another batch of Pecan Praline Bock, a German-style bock with toasted pecans and vanilla bean.
Boerne will host the Texas Brewery Roundup in July 2026.Free Roam Brewing/ Facebook
Boerne buzz
The Texas Craft Brewers Guild designated Boerne an official “Brew City” in 2024 for its plethora of brewpubs. Now, the organization has named the Hill Country town as the host of the next Texas Brewery Roundup.
The guild’s second-largest annual conference and trade show, which offers education, networking, and fun off-site activities for participants, will be held from July 10-12, 2026.
Attendees will have a chance to visit area breweries, such as 28 Songs Brewhouse and Kitchen, Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Cibolo Creek Brewing Co., Tusculum Brewing Co., and Free Roam Brewing Co. The latter four brewpubs are all within walking distance of each other in downtown Boerne.
Back Unturned Brewing is backtracking on booze.
Last call for alcohol
In early 2024, Back Unturned Brewing Co. acquired a liquor license to serve craft cocktails alongside its housemade beers. The downtown brewery’s boozy micheladas, margaritas, Jack and Cokes, and other cocktails became heavy sellers, especially during brunch.
But the craft cocktail party has come to an end. Back Unturned has stopped serving liquor, saying it was an unfortunate yet necessary cost-cutting measure.
According to a series of late October social media posts, the brewery has had to pay nearly $30,000 in extra taxes every year on the beer the brewery produces on site, increasing the burden on other expenses.
Back Unturned’s owners say they hope a piece of legislation that Texas state lawmakers considered during the 2025 legislation session — the elimination of the tax on the beer produced on site by brewpubs — will return in the 2027 Legislature.
“If this tax does get eliminated in the next legislative hearing in about two years, then we will reinstate our liquor license,” the brewery explained on Facebook. “It was a lot of fun for the past two years, and we have to go back to a beer-and-wine license because if we don’t, this will put us out of business.”
