San Antonio Recommendations???

Gabriel's is a great bottle shop, haven't heard of Freetail and all I know about Esquire is they have a good cocktail selection; don't know about their beer selection. The Friendly Spot downtown is a good bar for beer; nice outdoor area with a projector tv and some good stuff on tap. I think Friendly Spot closes at midnight though. There is also a Flying Saucer on I-10, which is at least a safe bet for solid craft. Hope this helps!

 

I would also check out world of beers, friendly spot (just opened 50 taps i believe), tap exchange, flying saucer, mellow mushroom, any of the Specs. List could go on and on if you just want decent beer selection and great food though.

 

Yeah I forgot to mention World of Beer; I haven't been there but it sounds pretty amazing

 

Go hang out at First Friday. It's on South Alamo and that's where The Friendly Spot is and Blue Star as well. There's also The Filling Station and Alamo Street Eat Bar. Just hang out there and ask someone at one of those places where to go. Everything I've mentioned is all on South Alamo.
Gabriel's is cool and Freetail is a must.

 

:O

 

Tap Exchange is tapping Abyss tonight. It should still be there on Friday given how long their last keg lasted.

 

Oh my...

 

Well, he is in McKinney. That's pretty far away.

 

No excuse! Get there ASAP!!!

 

Hijacking cause I didn't want to start another thread..is Freetail the top brewery to visit in SA? Will be there on 3/22 for a few days and want to pick up a few things.. Thanks

 

Yes. They are a brewpub, the best in Texas IMO (I don't think I am alone in that regard). They have a pretty good kitchen as well. Ask if they have any bottles to purchase cause they can not distribute, and of coarse growlers if you want. Ranger Creek is a very far second place. RC is a production brewery, so you can only visit for a tasting. Though bottles are easy to find. I like Blue Star, but really nothing exceptional there.

 

Thanks for the info...hoping to hit up The Friendly Spot for a few drinks and Gabriels for bottles..

 

If possible get to First Friday early. Around 6ish. First Friday gets obnoxiously crowded about 9ish. IMO Blue Star's house beers are mediocre. Go to the Blue Star Art Complex just down the parking lot from the Blue Star and you can get some miscellaneous beer for a $2 or $3 donation and look at art, entry is free. Filling Station has almost all hoppy beers but only around 10 taps or so but vibe is pretty cool. Usually nothing over $5. The Beethoven is my favorite to escape the crowds once it gets a little later. German food and german beer. You know how to chicken dance, right? Thats all South Town and all a walks distance wherever you park. Again, the earlier the better for First Friday. The Granary (at the Pearl) is an "elevated" bbq brew pub. Expensive food IMO but house brews are tasty. Last time I went they had Jester King Buddha's Brew in a cask. Farmers Market at the Pearl every Saturday morning till around noonish if your still in SA. If you go to Gabriels Superstore walk around the corner to Whole Foods. They have a small bar with taps and whatever you buy from the cold box you can drink at the bar. Sometimes they have an exceptional beer or two on tap.

 

That would be a long walk and back.

 

Thanks for all the great info..yep I'll be there till the 27th..

 

From Gabriels, not Southtown. I do that walk all the time.

 

I wouldn't want to carry a case of beer that far.

 

Yeah, your right I guess most people would park at Gabriels then drive to Whole Foods. But I sit alot at work and this walk from Whole Foods to Gabriels might be the most exercise I get in a week. Walking with a case of beer to and fro would be an awesome workout.

 

I just came in here to tell the OP he answered his own question. If I had a week to spend in SA... those 2 spots would be the only places I'd hit, Cody(with Freetail taking up most of my time/money). If I had more time... I might venture out elsewhere... .