January 1, 2008
San Antonio, TX - I recently had the opportunity to stop by San Antonio’s latest brewpub and craft-brewery, The Freetail Brewing Co, located somewhat hidden at 4035 N Loop 1604 W. Suite 105. San Antonio, TX 78257.
Although they just opened a month ago, they were really ‘hopping’ when I stopped by.Located near a small shopping complex, the sports bar/steel mill décor can take you by surprise.
The brewery boasts nine HDTV’s with sports on every one of them. They have large patio seating, but if you’d rather stay indoors, they have a large open seating area. I was immediately greeted by one of the wait staff and asked what I’d like to try. The fair is light and appropriate for South Texas. In addition to the many sandwiches and appetizers, such as their Chips and Roasted Salsa, they have a large selection of stone hearth specialty pizzas.
San Antonio and the surrounding area have an interesting history of craft brews over the years, with the likes of the Pearl Brewery, Shiner, Real Ale, The Covey Restaurant Brewery, The Laboratory Brewing Co. and Blue Star Brewing Co. With Freetail’s opening, they become only the second brewpub currently open in San Antonio.
I had a chance to sit and talk with owner and brewer Scott Meztger for a few minutes, while enjoying a pint of their La Rubia Ale. Metzger has long loved beer, but first got the started to dream of opening a brew pub when he began to home brew years ago. When asked where he gets the inspiration for the brews, Metzger says he just comes with ideas based on what he thinks might taste good, but has brew master Jason Davis there to let him know what is actually possible, such as Metzger’s idea to make a brew entirely from chocolate malt.Metzger says that the concepts for each brew are usually a collaboration between him and Davis, but at that point Davis takes over.
I asked Metzger what he thought about the craft brew industry in Texas, versus other parts of the country. With traditional craft-brew states such as California and Colorado often getting headlines, he said he felt Texas had an undeserved reputation as Budweiser and Miller only state. Many Texas craft brews have received national awards, such as The Divine Reserve No. 4 from St. Arnold . When asked how that perception can be changed, Meztger felt that education was key, showing folks that we have our own local brewpubs and showing the quality. He also hopes to see more brewpubs in the San Antonio area and envisions this area to be similar to the craft brew areas of Colorado and California. With macro breweries such as Miller and Budweiser in Texas, the perception is slow to change.
Currently, Freetail has four of their brews on tap: La Rubia, Freetail Ale, Torpor Porter, Rye Wit, with Two Timer coming in the next week. Meztzger hopes to have ten brews on tap in the future. On the horizon in the next couple of months is their Old Bat Rastard, Three Tail and La Muerta, an Imperial Stout.
A unique décor and name, a love for good beer, as well as a desire to put Texas craft-brews on the national map, Scott Metzger is determined to change your views of what you drink. Are you ready to open your taste buds?
This is part 1 of a 2 part article..Part 2 coming soon!
