Pubs in San Antonio...

[Sven6]

Does anyone know of any good pubs in SA? Somewhere that has a decent selection of beer on tap and is laid back... darts and pool are a plus.

Sherlocks and Flying Saucer are a bit too "yuppie", plus the selection's not all that great.

I've been without a place to hangout since the Brew Moon closed... :(

Anyone?
Rocket?

[Seymour]

Did Blue Star go out of business? Unfortunately, it's been 5 years since I've been in the San Antone area, but I remember the Blue Star fondly (still wear the T shirt). Good beers and good food, as I recall. Just across the San Antonio River, south of the Riverwalk. I don't really remember pool tables or darts, but then we went for food and beer, so I wasn't paying attention to that sort of stuff. Good luck!

[I'mRocketMan]

OK, Sven! There are a few places I can recommend off the top o my head:

Hills & Dales ("The Center of the Universe") on 1604 across from UTSA is a cool place, darts, pool , live music Thursday thru Saturday, 54 Taps and 100's of bottles available.

SA Homebrew Supply: Todd and Allison usually have ~5 beers on line. Some of the regulars are homebrewers and are fun to talk with.

Blue Star is still here (on S. Alamo St) It's been a few months since I've been there so I don't know which beers they have...

There are a few Clicks billiards places around as well...

Are you in SA? Beermail me your # and we'll hook up...

[Sven6]

Thanks guys,

I've never been to Blue Star... I called them on my way in to work this morning @ about 7:30, hoping to get a recording of their hours, and someone actually answered the phone :eek: ... Very helpful, told me the hours and location, and talked about beer a bit...

I had forgotten all about Hills and Dales... they have everything...

I usually get down to SA Homebrew about every other week... Bigfoot and Celebration on tap, Mmmmm... BTW. Todd's got a keg of Sysiphus on deck for when the Bigfoot runs out...

[I'mRocketMan]

Let me know ahead of time and I'll meet you there!

Cheers! Rocket

[Sven6]

Thanks for the heads-up guys...

I stopped by SA Homebrew thursday... (Todd has Old Rasputin Imperial Stout on tap now)

Saturday we went down to Blue Star Brewing and did a taste tour... They have a Cask Ale thats really good, and the Barley Wine is Awesome!

[I'mRocketMan]

So we need to hook up, Sven6! Let me know how your schedule is...
BTW< our SA BA group SAAZ (San Antonio Area Zymurgists) is meeting at Hills and Dales on Friday at 7pm if you want to join us!

Cheers! Rocket

[Sven6]

Sounds good... I'll PM you if I cant make it.

[Sven6]

Yesterday was a friend's birthday, so we got a group together and went out...

Started at Kennedy's Pub, hit the movies(Sin City), then steaks & beers at TL&C, and more beers at Hills and Dales, then back to Kennedy's...

Hills and Dales would be so much better if they had an actual BAR to sit at instead of pic-nic table... and served beer in actual pint GLASSES instead of plastic cups... :mad: Something about drinking a good barleywine out of plastic just ruins it for me...

Oh well, we had a good time anyway...

[I'mRocketMan]

Yeah I know what you mean about the plastic cups at H&D. You can however bring your own pint glass and they'll serve it to you that way. Alternately, you can buy a pint glass there to take home when you leave.

We STILL need to hook up sometime!

[Sven6]

When we were leaving Hills n Dales, I picked up a bottle of the Sisyphus 2005 Barleywine... I have a bottle of the 2003, and one of my buds has a 2002... As soon as we can find a 2004 were going to crack 'em open and do a taste test.

I also picked up some beer that has a whole jalapeno pepper inside the bottle... not sure if I'll actually drink it, but it looked interesting.

[BREWERDLUX]

Not to change the topic, but I am looking for a good beer store in San Antonio. I am going there in a week or so.... Any help would be great....

[Sven6]

I'd check the HEB Central Market (on Broadway, in Alamo Heights)... They have one of the best selections that I know of...

[BREWERDLUX]

Thanx 6...... Im gonna be there about 4 days and wanted a little something to sip on in the hotel.

[Sven6]

I would say "Lets hook up for a couple of beers", but it would take me a couple of months to get my schedule straight... ask RocketMan...:p

[I'mRocketMan]

YEP!! LOL! It DID take a while to hook up with you, Sven6!! (Although it was worth it, right??)

However, if you're interested, BREWERDLUX, we CAN get together!! Post here or PM me with where you're staying and such and we'll see if we can't hoist a few!!

Cheers! Rocket

[Payson]

I'm going to be in San Antonio starting October 2nd for work. I'll be staying about a week at the "La Mansion Del Rio" on the riverwalk. Anything good within walking distance? I'm interested in beer stores as well as pubs, breweries etc... Maybe even hang out with a local realbeer alumni!
Thanks!
Chris

[Sven6]

Blue Star Brewing is pretty close to downtown, I'm not sure if it's actually walking distance from your hotel though...
http://www.bluestarbrewing.com/bsbc/default.asp

The first Friday of the month they have a art-fest in the King William District (the neighborhood around Blue Star) which basically turns into a big street party.

...we also have this little thing called the RiverWalk - bars & restraunts of all types up and down both sides of the river.

[Payson]

From what I understand I'll be in the heart of the riverwalk. Thanks! I'm looking forward to it!

[Chaz]

I be heading to SA tomorrow for a week and I defintly have to check out the HEB!!! There is a Chester's hamburger in Universal City that has lots of beers in bottles. If your driving around and get hungry, check this place out..

[I'mRocketMan]

Have a safe trip guys!!! We'll try to hook up!!

[BadDogNoBiskit]

I havent been to Hills and Dales in at least 10 years (since before Fiesta Texas opened) and when I was there it seemed to me to be a redneck type of bar. I do have to say it did have a large selection of beer. My Question is has the atmosphere changed any.
I also plan to be in S.A. at the end of this month ( Really in Bandera to do some moutain biking) but will make a stop for some fine brew.

[Derekt2]

I don't remember their URL but I can't google it either. Anyone know it?

[I'mRocketMan]

BadDog- Hills & Dales is a biker/ college/ redneck place with 54 beers on tap and lots in bottles...

Derekt2- I don't think Todd has a website...

[Chaz]

Just got back from SA and spent too much time working, but I did check out the HEB marketplace in Alamo Heights and they do have a very good selection of beer. We even bought some real Dr. Pepper while we were there. I also noticed that Chester Hambergers are now in several locations, so try that location for some beer and food..

[Seymour]

Real Dr. Pepper made with cane sugar? From Dublin? Wow. Didn't know you could get it all the way down in San Antone. Dublin's not too far from here, but somehow we just haven't made it out there yet. Extra points to who knows how Dublin got its name.

[Chaz]

Originally posted by Seymour
Real Dr. Pepper made with cane sugar? From Dublin? Wow. Didn't know you could get it all the way down in San Antone. Dublin's not too far from here, but somehow we just haven't made it out there yet. Extra points to who knows how Dublin got its name.

Yep! the real stuff.. sugar cane and all.. my son lives on this stuff and was tripping out when he seen it..


Dublin history:

Dublin was founded in 1854 by A.H. Dobkins. The name came later. The origin of the name is not certain. Some say is was for the warning cry at the time of Indian raids, "Double In." Others day it was for the city of Dublin in Ireland. While other say it was for the double log cabins that were used by the early settlers. Once stagecoach service was established to Dublin in 1874, the area began to grow. The Texas Central Railroad came to nearby Mount Airy in 1881. A townsite was created a few miles from Mt. Airy by J.D. Bishop about the same time to which most residents of Dublin moved. Within a short time, the "new" Dublin had grown so much that the depot was moved from Mt. Airy to the new Dublin. This town was incorporated on 18 March 1889.


also the only place to make the sugar cane!!

[Sven6]

Originally posted by Derekt2
I don't remember their URL but I can't google it either. Anyone know it?

Sorry, but the SA Homebrew website has been down for a few years now - which is too bad (for Todd) because its easier for me to just order online from Austin Homebrew and have it delivered to my house.

[Seymour]

Wow, Chaz. Did you know that about Dublin off the top of your head;) ?

Though the "Double In" story is the one in most of the history books (Dublin IS in the heart of the Comancheria), at the heart of downtown is a giant fountain that spouts green water--in front of an enormous animated Dr. Pepper sign (I've been through there, but never stopped to visit). So I guess Dublin tries nowadays more for the Irish connection. Kudos to you; you've done your homework!

[Sven6]

I totally lucked out last week, and stumbled into a gold mine of beer.

I went to Double Dave's Pizza over on NW Military for lunch one day... I noticed that their beer selection (Old Rasputin, Octoberfest, Alamo, RealAle, etc.. all on tap) was far better than average so I mentioned it to the guy at the counter. We started talking beer, and he was telling me about how they would soon be expanding their selection to about 30 taps - F*ing Sweet!...
Turns out he's the owner, he said his store on N.New Braunfels, in Alamo Heights, has like 20 taps of all imports & micros (and one bud light) :p

We went to chect it out this weekend and Wow!, what a selection... Oak-aged Yeti Stout, Yeti IPA, RealAle-Sysiphus'03, a Belgian Trippel, 2 lambics (raspberry & peach) and a ton of other stuff I wasnt able to try - some I hadnt even heard of.

They gave us a few tasters too.

If you're in town check it out. Get some of their pepperoni rolls too, they kickass.

I goin' back.

[I'mRocketMan]

Holy SHIT!!! that place sound good, Sven6!!

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by Sven6
Sorry, but the SA Homebrew website has been down for a few years now - which is too bad (for Todd) because its easier for me to just order online from Austin Homebrew and have it delivered to my house.

Me to...plus the free shipping always helps....why burn the gas, when you can order online.