{"id":302027,"date":"2025-10-14T07:16:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/302027\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T07:16:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:16:32","slug":"san-antonio-beer-festival-returns-to-hemisfair-this-saturday-emphasizes-german-culture-for-milestone-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/302027\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio Beer Festival returns to Hemisfair this Saturday, emphasizes German culture for milestone event\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RevelersRevelers enjoy their tastings at a prior San Antonio Beer Festival. Credit: Jaime Monzon<\/p>\n

Pretzel in one hand, pilsner in the other, San Antonians soon will toast two decades of craft brews, community and good times.<\/p>\n

The 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival \u2014 known as the Ale Fest when it debuted in 2005 \u2014\u00a0 will return to its roots this fall, taking over Civic Park at Hemisfair on Saturday, Oct. 18. As with past gatherings, breweries from around the world will be on hand to pour hundreds of premium, craft and near beers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe event has evolved over 20 years,\u201d said festival organizer Cassandra Wagner of the San Antonio Current. \u201cWe\u2019ve grown the festival, hosted it at various parks around the city. Now we\u2019re delighted to come back to Hemisfair after the expansion of this world-class parks district.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participating breweries this year include Garage Beer, Boston Beer Co., Beatbox Beverages, Texas Cannon Brewing Co., Star Republic Brewing, Pabst, Flix Brewhouse and Starbase Brewing, to name a few. San Antonio favorites such as Longtab Brewing, Alamo Beer, Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery, K\u00fcnstler Brewing and Dos Sirenos Brewing also will be on tap.<\/p>\n

For the milestone celebration, organizers are leaning into an Oktoberfest theme to celebrate the area\u2019s rich German heritage. Expect top-notch German beers, clinking steins, festive traditional attire, live polka music and indie tunes, not to mention plenty of Bavarian-inspired bites to soak it all up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In keeping with the German-themed fun, the event also will host the Qualifying Texas Steinholding State Championship Tournament. Organizers are seeking 20 men and 20 women to test who can keep a beer-filled stein hoisted in front of them the longest \u2014 no sloshing, wobbling or bent elbows.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The top male and female competitors will advance to the 2025 Texas Steinholding State Championship Finals at Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Sunday, Nov. 16.<\/p>\n

The San Antonio Beer Festival, which started as a modest gathering for craft-brew enthusiasts, has since expanded into a San Antonio institution \u2014 one that\u2019s poured thousands of pints, introduced locals to small-batch brewers and helped shape the city\u2019s booming craft scene.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s lineup promises limited-edition releases, local food pop-ups, games, wines, ciders, local vendors and commemorative anniversary merchandise. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the fall weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And while the event has made stops at Dignowity Park, Maverick Park and other public spaces over the years, returning to Hemisfair feels especially fitting. The renovated Civic Park offers a refreshed yet familiar backdrop \u2014 the same site where San Antonians first raised a glass two decades ago, now surrounded by the hum of new restaurants, live oaks and skyline views.<\/p>\n

A portion of proceeds from San Antonio Beer Festival ticket sales will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank, the Current\u2019s nonprofit partner. Founded in 1980 as Texas\u2019 first food bank, the organization provides meals and support for communities in need across San Antonio and Southwest Texas.<\/p>\n

The San Antonio Beer Festival also serves as the official closing event of San Antonio Beer Week, a celebration that highlights local craft brewers and their work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three tiers of tickets are available for the San Antonio Beer Festival, ranging from $45 general admission to $105 VIP access. VIP ticket holders receive early entry at noon \u2014 two hours before gates open \u2014 along with a commemorative pint glass and tote bag, a VIP-exclusive T-shirt, access to rare and one-off beers, admission to the Real Ale Brewing Co. VIP zone, dedicated restrooms and more.<\/p>\n

All ticket tiers include festival admission and a McIntyre\u2019s Sampling Card with twelve 2-ounce pours, granting access to hundreds of beers and other beverages. Attendees can also purchase an additional 12 samples for $12.<\/p>\n

All guests must be 21 years of age or older with valid ID. The San Antonio Beer Festival 2025 will go on, rain or shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

$45-$105, noon VIP entry, $2 general entry, Saturday, Oct. 18, Civic Park at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., sanantoniobeerfestival.com.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tGerman food and activities will be a big part of this year\u2019s installment. As in years past, it benefits the San Antonio Food Bank.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in Oct. 2-15<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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