Pearl Beer: Best Places To Buy In Austin

Pearl Beer is an iconic gem of fine beer in Texas, with a history that dates back to 1883. The brand was relaunched in 2020 with a new look and taste, inspired by the growth and success of its beloved home city of San Antonio. Pearl Beer is now available for purchase at select retail locations throughout Texas, including Austin, and can be found in most major cities in the state. The beer is brewed at a craft facility in the Texas Hill Country with an ABV of 3.8%, making it an easy-drinking option for consumers. With a rich history and a modern twist, Pearl Beer is a timeless icon that has sustained itself through prohibition and change, becoming a female-owned and operated brewery in the early 1900s.

Where to buy Pearl Beer in Austin, Texas

Pearl Beer is a Texas-based beer with a long history. It was first brewed in 1886 in San Antonio, Texas, and has been a popular beer in the state ever since.

If you're looking to buy Pearl Beer in Austin, Texas, there are a few options. Firstly, you can try larger retailers and grocery stores such as HEB, which has been known to stock Pearl Beer in the past. It might also be worth trying Diamond Shamrock or RaceTrac gas stations, as Pearl Beer has been spotted at these locations before.

Alternatively, you could try contacting the Pearl Brewing Company directly to ask about their distributors in Austin. Their address is 312 Pearl Pky, San Antonio, TX 78215-1246, and their phone number is 210-226-0231.

If you're looking to enjoy Pearl Beer at a bar or restaurant in Austin, Threadgill's is known to serve it.

Pearl Beer is also available at select retailers in all major Texas cities, including Austin, so you may be able to find it at smaller, local bottle shops or liquor stores. The suggested retail price for a six-pack is $9.49.

Pearl Beer's history

Pearl beer was first brewed in Bremen, Germany, by the Kaiser–Beck Brewery, which also produces Beck's beer. The foamy bubbles in a freshly poured glass of the brew were thought to resemble sparkling pearls by Kaiser–Beck's brewmaster, and the beer was called "Perle" in Germany. When brought to the United States, the spelling was changed to "Pearl".

The site that would become the Pearl Brewing Company was originally known as the J. B. Behloradsky Brewery and the City Brewery. In 1883, the City Brewery was purchased by an investment group composed of local businessmen and moguls involved with the Lone Star Brewing Company. Together, they formed the San Antonio Brewing Company.

In 1902, Otto Koehler took the helm of the brewery, leaving his position as manager at the Lone Star Brewing Company to become president and manager of the San Antonio Brewing Association. Under Koehler's leadership, the brewery set in motion strategic plans to grow in physical size and beer output. By 1916, the San Antonio Brewing Association became the largest Texas brewery, with a capacity of over 110,000 US barrels/year.

Prohibition changed the face of brewing and forced almost every brewery out of business. Emma Koehler, who succeeded her husband Otto as chief executive after his death, vowed not to let the brewery go under. The company changed its name to the Alamo Foods Company and remained viable by producing a near beer, bottling soft drinks, performing dry cleaning, operating a small advertising sign division, running an auto repair shop, and entering the commercial ice and creamery businesses.

With the end of Prohibition in 1933, the company went back to its prior name: the San Antonio Brewing Association. However, the nation was deep in the grips of the Great Depression, and most people could not afford to buy beer. Emma Koehler kept the brewery afloat by selling beer to those who could afford it and continuing many of the business ventures that had carried the brewery through Prohibition.

In 1952, the San Antonio Brewing Association changed its name to the Pearl Brewing Company to increase the association of their number one product, Pearl lager beer, with the company itself. In the 1960s, Pearl acquired the Goetz Brewing Company of St. Joseph, Missouri, to increase production and distribution.

In 1977, Pearl was sold to General Brewing of San Francisco, owned by Paul Kalmanovitz, who specialised in leveraged buy-outs. In 1985, Kalmanovitz acquired the Pabst breweries and united his holdings under the name Pabst Brewing Company.

The new millennium did not bring a change in luck for Pearl or Pabst as a whole. Pabst closed all of their breweries and ended their own beer production. After 118 years of brewing along the San Antonio River, the doors to the Pearl Brewery closed.

In 2001, Silver Ventures, a San Antonio-based investment firm, purchased the brewery site with extensive plans to create a mixed-use development. In 2020, Pearl relaunched its beer and changed their formula. Today, Pearl, Pearl Light, and Country Club are still available in small volumes in select markets such as Texas and Oklahoma.

The best places to buy beer in Austin

If you're looking to buy Pearl Beer in Austin, you may be out of luck. Since 2001, Pearl Beer has not been brewed in its original location in San Antonio, Texas. Pabst Brewing Company, which owns the Pearl brand, ended production at all of its breweries in 2000, opting to contract out the brewing of its beers to other companies. Pearl Beer is now brewed at Miller's Fort Worth facility and distributed across Texas, but only in small volumes.

However, if you're interested in trying a variety of beers in Austin, there are several places you can visit:

Austin Beerworks

Austin Beerworks is an award-winning brewery that offers a range of beers to suit different occasions and tastes. Their beers include the crisp and refreshing Pearl Snap Pilsner, the hoppy and bold IPA, and the well-balanced Peacemaker. They also have unique offerings like the Russian Imperial Coffee Oatmeal Stout and the Czech-Style Dark Lager.

Local Bars and Restaurants

Many local bars and restaurants in Austin serve a variety of beers, including craft brews and popular brands. You can explore different neighbourhoods and areas like downtown, South Congress, and the Domain to find establishments that cater to your preferences.

Specialty Beer Stores

Austin likely has specialty beer stores that cater to beer enthusiasts and offer a wide selection of local, regional, and international beers. These stores often provide a unique shopping experience and knowledgeable staff who can guide you in your beer choices.

Breweries and Taprooms

Austin is home to several breweries and taprooms that offer a diverse range of beers. Visiting these locations can provide you with the opportunity to try new and innovative brews, as well as learn about the brewing process and local beer culture.

While Pearl Beer may not be as widely available in Austin as it once was, the city still boasts a vibrant beer scene with plenty of options to explore and enjoy.

The best beers in Austin

Pearl Beer

Pearl Beer is an iconic, timeless beer with roots in San Antonio, Texas. It was established in 1883 and production began in 1886. The name comes from the German word "Perle", which means pearl, and refers to the foamy bubbles that resemble sparkling pearls. The beer is now available in a new bottle and can be purchased at select retailers in all major Texas cities, including Austin, for a suggested retail price of $9.49 for a six-pack.

Other Beers in Austin

In addition to Pearl Beer, there are several other great beers available in Austin, Texas. Here are some options:

• Austin Beerworks Beerworks Pearl-Snap: This beer is described as crisp, refreshing, and clean. It has a bright hop character and a finish so clean it will "pick up after itself". It has an ABV of 5.3% and approximately 160 calories.
• Austin Beerworks Anytime: A smooth and fruity Hazy IPA with half the body and booze. It has notes of citrus, orange candy, and stone fruit, followed by a delightfully light finish.
• Austin Beerworks Smalltime: A light beer with big flavour. Brewed with premium pilsner malt, it has only 89 calories and 100% flavour.
• Austin Beerworks Bloodwork: A citrus symphony for the senses, with Sicilian blood oranges added during fermentation. It's the perfect beer to enjoy anytime, whether it's your first date or two-year anniversary.

These beers can be found at various locations throughout Austin, and some can be purchased directly from the Austin Beerworks website. So, whether you're looking for a crisp and refreshing lager like Pearl Beer, or something with more flavour like the options from Austin Beerworks, there's sure to be a beer in Austin that's perfect for your taste!

The history of breweries in Texas

Texas has a rich history of brewing beer, dating back to the earliest days of human settlement in the region. Native American tribes in Texas, such as the Caddo, Coahuiltecan, and Karankawa, brewed and consumed fermented beverages made from local plants and grains. When European settlers arrived in the 16th century, they brought with them their brewing techniques, and beer quickly became an integral part of the state's culture and economy.

One of the first commercial breweries in Texas was the Lone Star Brewery, established in San Antonio in 1884. It became a popular destination for locals and travellers. Many other breweries soon followed, including the Pearl Brewery in 1883 and the Shiner Brewery (called Spoetzl) in 1909. These breweries played a significant role in the growth and development of the state's economy, providing jobs and contributing to the local tax base.

However, the Texas beer industry faced challenges in the 20th century with the rise of national and international breweries and the introduction of Prohibition in 1919. Only five Texas breweries survived Prohibition, including Spoetzl, which continued to operate by producing "near beer" with low alcohol content.

After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the Texas beer industry began to recover. Breweries like the Lone Star Brewery and Pearl Brewery reopened and expanded their operations. By the 1950s, the Texas beer industry was thriving once again.

In recent decades, Texas has seen a major transformation with the rise of the craft beer movement. This movement emphasised the production of high-quality, small-batch beers using traditional brewing methods and locally sourced ingredients. Texas has been home to many craft brewery pioneers, such as Saint Arnold Brewing Company (founded in 1994), Real Ale Brewing Company (1996), and Live Oak Brewing Company (1997). These breweries have helped elevate the craft beer scene in Texas, making it a destination for beer lovers worldwide.

Today, Texas is widely recognised as a leader in the craft beer industry, with over 350 craft breweries contributing to the state's economy and keeping local communities strong. The state's German and Czech heritage is also celebrated through events like Oktoberfest and Wurstfest, which feature traditional German food, music, and beer.

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