Brewpubs:
This branch of Joey's (listed next) is the first brewpub and restaurant
built from the ground up. It also happens to be the best brewpub in town
(by a large margin). It serves an excellent, full bodied Blonde (going
by the name of golden), a mildly peated Smoked Dark Ale, a delightfully
hoppy Pale Ale and an excellent bready and dry Stout. A new addition to
the permanent line-up is a fantastic, hoppy (Saaz dominated) Pilsner that
is easily the best brewpub Pilsner in Texas. Another excellent beer occasionally
available is the Cask-Conditioned Pale Ale. The beers are always clean
and well executed on the large system which dominates the restaurant (2
jumbo and 3 large serving tanks reside in the bar area, and the entire
"back" wall of the restaurant area is a glass enclosure for the
brewing and fermenting areas.)
The Blue Star also serves some good food encompassing a wide range of styles.
Although it probably will not be a brewery anymore, Joey's maintains a quality selection of commercial tap and bottle beer. Particular standout kegs on hand include Sierra Nevada Celebration and Bigfoot (when in season), SN Wheat and Pale, Anchor Steam and Merry Christmas, several Yellow Rose brews, and a number of other rotating quality taps. Also features a full service bar and the best nachos ever created by man.
This newest brewpub is adjacent to the yuppie hangout Stonewerks. The Lab serves a well made assortment of beers. Even though only a few of the regular beers are available at any time, offerings have included a Hefe Weizen, a malty Brown, a somewhat hoppy but not hoppy enough pale ale (not enough aroma hopping), a rich porter, and a thinish Blonde. The best of the bunch was the Brown, but the Pale showed real potential for the future as they tune the recipes and equipment.
Pubs:
Formerly the very first brewpub, the Boardwalk Bistro is now just a good restaurant with a decent beer selection.
Features around 37 beers on tap and nearly 400 beers overall (obviously a lot of beers on bottle).
Big noisy bar with a large, though costly beer selection. Far and away the largest selection of beer on the Riverwalk.
The finest bar on the riverwalk. Bass, Harps, Guinness, and other fine taps, plus peanuts, Irish drinking songs and nice atmosphere.
Combination English style pub/bar and pool hall with a hint of sports bar thrown in. Maintains 20-30 taps, mostly bland variations of American Standard. A few standouts, particularly Rogue (usually Hazelnut Brown Nectar) and some other nice beers. Also maintains a large bottle selection. Excellent air handling system that keeps the air crisp and fresh, not at all smokey. Overall, a nice place but not exactly beer-hunter heaven.
Nice little restaurant/bar with inside and outside seating near the Health Science Center. Added several more taps and features fine beers such as Redhook Double Black Stout at cellar temperature. Also maintains a good bottle selection. Good food too.
Serves over 100 beers between taps and bottles, but is infested by cigar smoking Yuppies on weekends. Weeknights are liveable, but still overpriced for a pint. They also routinely short-fill pints (which can be pretty annoying!) More of a place for tourists.
This fine beer store with a wide selection of import and hard to find bottled beers has added some 50+ beer taps. While I've occasionally been disappointed with the quality of beer coming out of the taps (I think they need to do a little more line cleaning and keg rotation out there!) the beer is usually reasonably fresh and cheap (H.D. allows you to bring your own mug and fill it for the price of a 12oz cup.) Selection varies, but usually there are 20-30 high quality brews on tap, and (of course) every possible permutation of American Standard fills the other 20 or so taps. Along with all this, the atmosphere on Harley night (Wednesdays) is unbeatable.
12 beer taps, beer menu has 41 listings.
The SMBC has 45 brews on tap and over 50 in bottles, mostly exceptional beers with a few mass markets thrown in. Personal favorites include Old Foghorn, St. Rogue Red, and, on occasion, Liquid God (otherwise known as Rogue Nut Brown Nectar). The brewing operation lasted only a short time, and has passed from the scene (but not the name). However, it's still a great place due to the wide variety of reasonably priced, world class beers on tap. Has live music most nights and a new 7000 sq ft beer garden with an outdoor stage and outside bar. Music runs the gamut from rock to swing to amateur night. Cover some nights, but generally reasonable. A Deli type menu is also available.
Formerly Kennedy's Pub, located in an old, interesting building serving tap Guiness and Bass, as well as a few other quality tap beers. Has a few in bottle, mostly American. The atmosphere is nice, and that nitrogen driven Guinness tap is always a plus anywhere you go. Beers are a bit pricey here, though.
Featuring over 100 imports, 20 kinds of Mexican tequila, and "the only Jaegermeister machine in Texas" Renob is a fun place to drown your sorrows. Live music is also a regular feature, with both local groups and touring acts. If your curious about the name, get a mirror.
Microbreweries:
Although they cannot sell beer to the general public at their brewery, San Antonio is home to a number of excellent microbreweries whose beer will be found in other establishments.
New "microbrewer" in town, their products are apparently contract brewed at the Pearl Brewery. Turns out a really poor "amber", bock and other non-descript beers in cool swing arm bottles.
Now the only true microbrewer in San Antonio, the Yellow Rose brews a wide variety of great beers. Try their Blonde Ox, Bubba Dog, Cactus Queen, Honcho Grande, Vigilant Porter, or the Wildcatter's Refined Stout.