San Antonio, Texas isn’t a well-known beer destination. But, at one point neither was Denver, Asheville, Portland or Grand Rapids. All it takes is a few passionate brewers to set the stage for the future. The city is home to a handful of breweries, including: Freetail Brewing Company, Busted Sandal Brewing Company, Ranger Creek Brewing, Blue Star Brewing Company and Alamo Beer Company. It’s also the city where you will find Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery.
“The beer scene is evolving and quite rapidly,” says Brew Master Les Locke about the state of brewing in the Texas city. “We’re starting to find bars that never carried craft beer, have nothing but.” He’s seeing restaurants open with only the notion of local and Texas made beers without even considering bringing in well-known beers from famous beer hubs. “We’re seeing a consumer reach and ask for what’s local. And we’re seeing breweries produce top rated beer that is raising the game for both consistency and quality.”
Designed by Portland Kettle Works, the Southerleigh is home to a custom manufactured brewery that also houses a restaurant with classic Texas cooking from Chef Jeff Balfour. The bar is designed to have up to twenty different beers on tap and is located on the first floor of the famous Pearl Brewhouse. “We’ve opened in one of the most iconic buildings in San Antonio,” says Locke. “The idea was that food and beer can both be elevated and approachable.” He says the location in an iconic building with rich city and brewing history is extremely important to the success of the brewert. “We’re literally brewing in the exact location where brewers worked for over a hundred years.” The idea behind Southerleigh is that it’s a state of mind. “It’s a prevailing breeze stemming from our notion of food and the gulf coast where chef (Balfour) hails from.”
Locke came to Southerleigh after a stint at Branchine Brewing Company (also in San Antonio). He’s in charge of the tenth biggest brewpub in America with production maximum at 4,000 barrels. “As many I’ve started out as a home Brewer at nineteen while in the Marines,” says Locke. “From there, I was spending my time working professionally while in Eugene, Oregon working on my degrees. He returned home to, San Antonio and began working at Branchine before he joined Southerleigh when it opened last spring.
Recently, Southerleigh announced a full selection of bottled and tap-only beers. This past fall, Southerleigh’s beers were finally available on tap in San Antonio area bars and restaurants for the first time. This includes the brewery’s flagship Gold Export Lager and India Pale Ale. “A dream has come true for Southerleigh now that our beer is available for sale outside the restaurant,” says Head Brewer Les Locke. “Since opening we know that our customers have appreciated our attention to detail and craft, and we’re so appreciative of all of their support. We feel like it’s a testament to the hard work our team has put in.”
Southerleigh and Bottling
The brewery has only been open since April of 2015 and they already have their sights set on bottling. They are bottling their Gold Export Lager, the Darwinian IPA, Texas UnCommon and the Southerleigh Slang (a beer that will change monthly). The 12 ounce stubby bottles are screen-printed and unique to the craft beer scene in Texas. The brewery itself makes fourteen different house beers, all of which are on tap at the restaurant. Since the brewery opened, they have experimented with over forty-two different beers.
What’s On Tap at Southerleigh?
Southerleigh is an eclectic brewery. “We find a nice balance of producing what I call parameter beers, beers that are to style historically, and brewing beers with components that enhance what we are doing in the kitchen,” says Locke. “Using fruits, herbs and spices to find inspiration. We really aim and strive for balance in everything we do.”
Locke is a visual brewer. “I may be eating something and find that it strikes a chord with me and I am able to find inspiration on how to may play out in beer.” His goal is to have customers ask questions to help dispel pre-conceived notions they might have about craft beer culture. He hopes his beers will even open some minds. “I look at recipe development though as a process in which I see what people want, work with my other brewers and brew to push ourselves.”
Cantaloupe Saison – An American farmhouse-style saison using locally sourced organic cantaloupes, giving it a full-bodied taste with crisp, sweet, and earthy tones.
Watermelon IPL – An India Pale Lager with citrus and melon notes that pair well with the New Zealand hops.
Lemon and Lime IPL – Includes lemon and lime zest to accentuate the citrus hop profile. Well-balanced and crisp.
Orange Cream Ale – An American cream ale. Smooth and full-bodied with complex orange rind and citrus notes that are balanced with hints of vanilla and a string sweet malt profile.
SABA Copper Alt – A traditional style Dusseldorf Alt or old style ale with clean, robust, and complex aromas from noble style Saaz hops
Oktoberfest – A Märzen -style lager. Full-bodied, but very crisp and copper in color. Available in the fall months to celebrate the German holiday
What’s on the horizon for Southerleigh?
On top of many high-aspirations, Locke hopes to expand their sour and barrel aged programs. “Officially launching with our bottles off premise, and a continual excursion of what’s possible and seasonal.”
Locke knows it’s important to never sit idly and watch others in San Antonio innovate and set the standard. “We are with others in San Antonio pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in beer but more so ensuring that the beer drinker has options, and is able to discern with an advanced palate that locally made and well crafted beer is always the best choice.”
