The craft beer business has had its challenges lately, however many San Antonio breweries previous and new have demonstrated their means to adapt, innovate, and broaden their choices to native beer followers. This yr’s nominees for Brewery of the Yr within the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards replicate the variety of San Antonio’s breweries.
A few of these nominees are centered on particular kinds of beers, whereas others are pairing their brews with an array of meals that transcend the normal pub grub.
The Tastemaker Award judges have their work reduce out for them, however one brewery will stroll away a winner from the Tastemaker Awards ceremony, which shall be held April 10 on the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum.
Take a look at the contenders under, then examine all of the Tastemaker nominees by means of our particular editorial sequence. Readers also can get a ticket to our tasting occasion. Early chicken tickets are on sale now for $60 for basic admission and $99 VIP, which incorporates early admission and a devoted bar. Act quick, nevertheless, as ticket costs will rise after March 12. They’re anticipated to promote out.
Listed here are the nominees for 2025 Brewery of the Yr:
Again Unturned Brewing Co.Proprietor Ricardo Garcia and his group have developed an assortment of beers at Again Unturned, which sits alongside the San Antonio River downtown. However craft beer aficionados can discover loads of hoppy brews in addition to darkish beers, from darkish lagers to stouts. Not within the temper for a beer? No downside. Again Unturned has expanded its menu to characteristic spirited cocktails and wine. Non-drinkers also can select from a number of mocktails. If that is not sufficient, guests can decide from quite a lot of meals objects, comparable to wings, salads, nachos and pizza.
Black Laboratory Brewing Co.Having briefly halted beer manufacturing, Black Laboratory has bounced again in an enormous manner. The East Facet brewery resumed producing fan-favorite beers comparable to Grizzly Greg’s Amber ale, Apple Backside Bindi blonde ale, and Mox’s IPA. Moreover, Black Laboratory is sticking with its housemade arduous seltzer, and continues to supply wines and visitor beers from different breweries. The house owners additionally acquired a neighboring pizzeria and rebranded it 2-1-Dough Pizza Co. in 2023; it now serves up all kinds of pizzas and focaccia sandwiches.
Cactus Land Brewing Co.Tucked away on the far Southeast Facet about half-hour from downtown, Cactus Land gives a spread of craft beers to be loved in a rural setting. The house owners and brewers, Erica and Dustin Teague, give attention to stouts, IPA’s, pilsners, wheat beers, fruit beer, and bitter beers, however the menu typically has a seasonal or different shock brew. Cactus Land additionally has regionally sourced wines and ciders, frozen wine choices, meals vehicles, reside music on an out of doors stage, and a periodic outside market.
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.Situated in Boerne within the Hill Nation, Cibolo Creek Brewing has created an ordinary rotation of core beers such because the Creekside IPA and Boerne Blonde utilizing a seven-barrel massive batch system. However visitors have come to take pleasure in seasonal fruity brews, or double IPAs and imperial stouts which can be produced at Cibolo Creek’s separate small batch barrel system. The family-owned brewery additionally serves up meals fare comparable to blackened shrimp tacos, pastrami Reubens, pork schnitzel, and burgers with goat patties and regionally sourced components.
Dos Sirenos Brewing Co.Most of the beers produced by Dos Sirenos bear themes of the ocean and legendary beings. As such, brews such because the Sea Turtle Stout, Trident Trippel, Kronos Hazy IPA, Medusa Black IPA, and Zeus Juice have change into staples on the Southtown brewery. Dos Sirenos’ meals menu is loaded with quite a few brunch, lunch, and dinner objects, starting from goat cheese poutine and tiramisu French toast to Thai Philly steak noodles and chorizo burgers.
Freetail Brewing Co.Certainly one of San Antonio’s oldest energetic breweries, Freetail supplies an array of traditional beers comparable to Soul Doubt, Bat Outta Helles, Rye Wit, Velocihoptor, La Muerta, and OktoberFiesta from its two places. The oldsters at Freetail have received many business awards over time, and commonly supply distinctive seasonals and different small-batch brews. Hungry patrons can all the time depend on a meals menu that options brick oven pizzas, sandos, and salads.
Idle Beer Corridor and BreweryIdle, comparatively talking, is among the new youngsters within the native craft beer scene. Based mostly within the rising River North neighborhood, Idle has a spacious beer corridor the place guests can take pleasure in brews comparable to El Dorado Mexican Lager, Berry Delicate Fruited Cream Ale, Mad’s Crystal Hef, and Tailfin West Coast IPA. It additionally has extra boozy choices, together with an espresso martini, margaritas, palomas, and different cocktails. Due to the house and loads of indoor and outside seating, Idle has change into a spot to hire out for a particular occasion. It’s household and pet pleasant, too.
Longtab Brewing Co.Located within the Leon Valley space, Longtab gives quite a lot of beers, every of which pay tribute to the U.S. army, notably the storied histories of Particular Forces and Inexperienced Berets. That’s as a result of proprietor David Holland is a Particular Forces veteran. Holland and his group at Longtab share these army histories and tributes with guests, lots of whom are veterans; nevertheless civilians additionally get some schooling on the subject. Moreover, Longtab serves up as a full service espresso bar with customized roasted and branded espresso. In addition they have wines, ciders, and an in depth meals menu.
Roadmap Brewing Co.Roadmap has brewed a line of award-winning core beers, such because the Alright Alright Alright Pilsner, Craven Cottage English pub ale, and Mama Dukes West Coast IPA. However there’s a big rotating number of brews, together with a New England IPA sequence named “Cat on a ….” with enjoyable fill-in-the-blanks each time a brand new beer is launched. Moreover, Roadmap gives in style annual brews, comparable to Cousin Eddy’s Scorching Coco Marshmallow and Cocoa Stout, which are inclined to run out quick.
Wild Barley Kitchen and BreweryTexas A&M College graduates Holland Lawrence and Marc Fogelsong opened Wild Barley in 2021 with a give attention to serving recent sourdough-based bagels and different meals in a comfortable restaurant setting. The duo launched a microbrewery at Wild Barley in 2023, and Lawrence makes use of expertise he developed at Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling towards producing beers such because the Landa Park Pils; Security Assembly, a hazy IPA; and Dubbel Dutch, a Belgian dubbel. Visitors can pair their housemade brew with a sourdough pizza baked in a brick oven, or a sandwich, burger, or salad.
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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is delivered to you by Topo Chico Glowing Mineral Water, PicMe Occasions, Audio Visible Consultations, and extra to be introduced. A portion of proceeds will profit our nonprofit accomplice, Culinaria.
