Pearl Beer: Still Available Or A Thing Of The Past?

Pearl Beer, an iconic Texas beer, is still available for purchase. The brand was relaunched in 2020 with a new look and taste, almost two decades after it was last brewed in San Antonio. The relaunch pays homage to its deep roots in the city while embracing the San Antonio of today. Pearl Beer is now brewed in the Austin area and is available at select retailers in all major Texas cities.

Where to buy Pearl Beer

Pearl Beer, a product of the Pearl Brewing Company, is available for purchase in Texas and Oklahoma. It can be bought in 12-packs of 12-oz cans.

In 2020, Pearl Beer returned to shelves with a new look and a new formula. The redesigned label features “Pearl” in distinct script lettering and a return of the “xXx” badge, a nod to the triple-X signature of beer craftsmanship that dates back to 16th-century Europe.

You can buy Pearl Beer online from websites such as Drizly, which offer home delivery in under 60 minutes. It is also available for purchase at retail stores in Texas and Oklahoma.

Pearl Beer was first brewed in the 1880s at the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas. The beer has a long history in the state, predating Prohibition. The brewery was closed in 2001, and the beer is now brewed by Oasis Brewing in the Austin area.

The Pearl Brewing Company was acquired by the Pabst Brewing Company in the 1980s, and Pearl Beer is currently produced at Miller's Fort Worth, Texas, facility.

The history of Pearl Beer

Origins and Early History (1880s-1910s)

The origins of Pearl Beer can be traced to brewer Jaroslav B. Behloradsky, who established the J. B. Behloradsky Brewery, also known as the City Brewery, in the early 1880s. In 1883, the brewery was sold to an investment group that included local businessmen and brewers associated with the Lone Star Brewing Company. They formed the San Antonio Brewing Company (1883-1888) and began planning to improve and expand the brewery's operations. During this time, the signature brew, Pearl Beer, was formulated and first brewed in Bremen, Germany, by the Kaiser-Beck Brewery. The name "Pearl" was inspired by the foamy bubbles in the beer, which the brewmaster likened to sparkling pearls.

Otto Koehler Era (1902-1914)

In 1902, Otto Koehler, previously a manager at Lone Star Brewing, took over as president and manager of the San Antonio Brewing Association. Under his leadership, the brewery underwent significant growth in terms of physical expansion and beer output. By 1916, the brewery's production capacity had increased to over 110,000 US barrels per year, making it the largest brewery in Texas.

Emma Koehler Era and Prohibition (1914-1933)

After Otto Koehler's death in 1914, his wife, Emma Koehler, took over as chief executive. Her leadership was crucial in navigating the challenges of Prohibition, which began in 1920. Emma diversified the company's operations to keep it afloat, producing near beer, bottling soft drinks, performing dry cleaning, operating an advertising sign division, and entering the commercial ice and creamery businesses. The company changed its name to Alamo Industries (1919-1921) and then Alamo Foods Company (1921-1933) to comply with Prohibition laws.

Post-Prohibition and Great Depression (1933-1940s)

When Prohibition ended in 1933, the company reverted to its previous name, the San Antonio Brewing Association. Despite the end of Prohibition, the company faced new challenges due to the Great Depression, which made buying beer a luxury for many. Emma Koehler's skilled management helped the company survive this difficult period by continuing to sell beer to those who could afford it and maintaining the business ventures that had sustained them through Prohibition.

Expansion and National Recognition (1950s-1970s)

In 1952, the company changed its name to the Pearl Brewing Company to more closely associate itself with its signature product, Pearl Beer. The company expanded its operations and gained national recognition, successfully competing with larger breweries from St. Louis and Milwaukee. In 1961, Pearl acquired the Goetz Brewing Company of St. Joseph, Missouri, allowing them to increase production and distribution.

Ownership Changes and Closure (1970s-2000s)

In 1977, Pearl was sold to General Brewing of San Francisco, and in 1985, it was acquired by Pabst Brewing Company. However, the new millennium brought challenges, and in 2001, Pabst closed all its breweries and ended beer production, including the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio. The site was purchased by Silver Ventures, a San Antonio-based investment firm, which led to the development of a mixed-use space, including residential complexes, retail, and dining options.

Relaunch and Present Day (2020-present)

In 2020, Pearl Beer made a comeback with a new look and a tweaked recipe, now brewed by Oasis Brewing in the Austin area. The relaunch pays homage to its San Antonio roots while embracing the modern-day Texas culture and lifestyle.

The relaunch of Pearl Beer

Pearl Beer, an iconic Texas brand, has returned to shelves with a new look and taste, almost two decades after it was last brewed in its hometown of San Antonio. The relaunch of the brand is a tribute to its rich history and deep roots in the city, while also embracing the evolution of San Antonio and Texas as a whole.

The new-look bottles feature distinct script lettering and the return of the "xXx" badge, a nod to the triple-X signature of beer craftsmanship that dates back to 16th-century Europe. The redesigned label pays homage to the brand's heritage, including its iconic clamshell shape and script, while also giving it a timeless and modern update.

The new Pearl Beer is brewed at a craft facility in the Texas hill country with premium ingredients, including Czech Pilsen malt, caramel malt, and a touch of wheat, giving it a smooth, modern take on a classic American lager. The beer has a touch of citrus at the end, giving it a distinct flavor. With an ABV of 3.8%, it is an easy-drinking Texas beer.

Pearl Beer's return to the market is not just about the beer, but also about celebrating Texas and its people, culture, and natural resources. The brand has partnered with local artisans and makers to create signature merchandise and lifestyle products, including a line of modern clothing inspired by the heritage of the brand and a limited-edition candle. Pearl Beer is available at select retailers in all major Texas cities, with six-packs priced at a suggested retail price of $9.49.

The new taste of Pearl Beer

Pearl Beer is back on the shelves with a new look and taste, an introduction 134 years in the making. The relaunch of the iconic Gem of Fine Beer is rooted in San Antonio's history and reimagined with a new look and taste inspired by the growth and success of its beloved home city. The new version of Pearl is brewed by Oasis Brewing in the Austin area and will be available at select retailers in all major Texas cities.

The new Pearl Beer is a smooth, modern take on a classic American lager. With an ABV of 3.8%, it is brewed with the finest ingredients, including premium Czech Pilsen malt, caramel malt, and a touch of wheat. A touch of citrus at the end of the boil gives it a distinct flavor. The redesigned label features “Pearl” in distinct script lettering and a return of the “xXx” badge, a nod to the triple-X signature of beer craftsmanship that dates back to 16th-century Europe.

Pearl Beer has a long and storied history in Texas, dating back to the 1880s when it was first brewed in San Antonio. The brand has deep roots in the state, having sustained itself through prohibition and becoming a female-owned and operated brewery in the early 1900s. The relaunch of Pearl Beer pays homage to its deep roots while embracing the vibrant and evolving culture of modern-day Texas.

The new look of Pearl Beer

Pearl Beer, an iconic Texas beer, has returned to shelves with a new look and taste, honouring its San Antonio roots while embracing the city's evolution. The relaunch of the "Gem of Fine Beer" is an introduction 134 years in the making, paying homage to the brand's deep roots and rich history.

The new-look bottles feature distinct script lettering and the return of the "xXx" badge, a nod to the triple-X signature of beer craftsmanship dating back to 16th-century Europe. The redesigned label evokes a sense of heritage and quality. The overall design is inspired by the brand's original characteristics, including its iconic clamshell shape and script, while adding a timeless and modern touch.

The new Pearl Beer is brewed with the finest ingredients, including premium Czech Pilsen malt, caramel malt, and a touch of wheat, resulting in a smooth, modern take on a classic American lager. A hint of citrus at the end of the boil gives it a distinct flavour. With an ABV of 3.8%, it's an easy-drinking beer that Texans can identify with and adopt as their own.

Pearl Beer's return is not just about the beer; it's about celebrating Texas and its people, culture, and natural resources. It's about creating experiences and enjoying them with a Pearl in hand. The brand has partnered with local artisans to create signature merchandise and lifestyle products, reflecting its commitment to championing local talent and embedding itself in Texas culture.

The new Pearl Beer is now available at select retailers in major Texas cities, including San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas/Fort Worth, with six-packs offered at a suggested retail price of $9.49. It's a taste of Texas history, reimagined for today's drinkers.

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