Indie Bash at the Lone Star Brewery

Lone Star Brewery -- the one being renovated just south of downtown -- is hosting a concert. Indie Bash at the Brewery will take place on October 24, 2009. They'll have live Texas bands on two stages and Lone Star beer.

Here's a brief article from WOAI about the event.

Southtown bars

I live in the Southtown area, south of Durango bordered approximately by I-10 to the West and I-37 on the East and extending down to around Southcross to the South. I love it. There's more and more happening (they threw up a foot bridge down by the silos) and always a great (if somewhat small) crowd around.

Looks like there's movement inside Holden's 101 (and someone built a basic metal fence out front on which was taped a notice to stop work sometime back); I haven't seen anyone in there, but there are paint cans and brushes lying on tables inside and a car parked outside quite often, not to mention that the SA Express-News has heard the rumors too.

Then, of course, Liberty Bar is going to be moving down to St. Benedict's. It's too bad they won't be in the old leaning house that they're associated (if not completely conflated) with, but it'll be great to have their menu down here and I think that the old building on Alamo might work out quite well.

Casbeer's has been down in the area for a little over a year and has a nice, simple menu (their signiture enchiladas are very good) and Alamo on tap, which I have to admit is not one of my favorite beers, but I drink it because it's a home grown beer (and sometimes it tastes better than others). I was under the impression that it was a Real Ale brew, but having seen the site, I'm not so sure what, if any, the connection is.

Another place that is seeing a lot of activity is Leo's Ice House down on St. Mary's and Claudia street. The dirty-footed tranny joint was a Southside staple, but now the sign is painted over and I'm hoping that it reappears in a similar guise.

I'll continue to post on places in the neighborhood.

San Antonio Microbrews

Freetail & Blue Star are the only ones in the city right now (if you don't count Dodging Duck in Boerne, which is almost as far out as Freetail). We're too big a city to only have two of them (though they're great). According to the Express-News, Lone Star Brewery, which is being renovated for mixed use, will have a microbrewery. I've also heard that Pearl Brewery is fermenting plans to open one (though I can't find anything that supports that). Hopefully they will come to fruition.

In the mean time, the Buckhorn Saloon, a great place to swill a beer, has Real Ale on tap (Rio Blanco Pale Ale, Full Moon Rye Pale Ale -- my favorite -- and Brewhouse Brown year around and a seasonal as well). Buy a Real Ale glass and get a discount (I believe it's a $1 off the pint) when you bring it in to get a fill-up. Have a more than a few and scare the tourists.

SA Beer meet up group

I'm a member of the San Antonio Beer Club (you'll have to create a free account if you want to see the events in full and RSVP). I haven't yet been to any of their meetups yet (they tend to do things at times when I already have things lined up). I just noticed that there are negligable dues ($3 a year), but what better way to meet people with whom you have at least one thing in common.

The next meetup is at Beethoven (one of my favorite places) on First Friday & Oktoberfest. Don't plan on sitting down or moving around much -- there will, however, be plenty of good German beer) and lots of ompah music. $5 at the gate and $3 in advance.

Lists of bars and other boozy establishments from various sources

Bars and clubs from 210sa
Some reviews from the Current
A list of wineries from San Antonio Express-News with a map. They also have a wine blog with wine news, upcoming events and various places to visit and imbibe.

Shady Lady Saloon

Shady Lady Saloon reviewed by Chuck Kerr of  the San Antonio Current.

Another of San Antonio's brilliantly named bars (a saloon at that!). My impressions when I get there.