To Texans, Texas is more than just another state in the union—it’s its own country. “Everything is bigger in Texas” and “Don’t mess with Texas” are stamped on the souls of every true Texan, and that “come and take it” attitude stretches across all aspects of Texans’ lives: work, play, politics, and especially beer. That’s how the Texas craft beer scene came to be the bountiful treasure it is today. One Texan saw what craft beer pioneers were doing in other states and, like Sam Houston, lead the charge to break away from a tyrannical status quo.
So there’s no better way to celebrate Texas Independence Day than by throwing back your favorite Texas beer and giving a tip of the hat to Scott Metzger and San Antonio’s Freetail Brewing Company for helping to pave the way for Texas’ flourishing craft beer culture. Freetail Brewing not only produces some damn delicious beer (with great names), but they’re also earth-movers in the craft beer world. Good Beer Hunting recently covered how Scott Metzger created Freetail with a very ballsy business plan, and in doing so, changed the Texas beer industry.
Like a true Texan, Scott had a dream, knew that dream would benefit the greater good of Texans and made his dream come true. Scott followed the patterns of pioneers like Sam Calagione and took up the fight for good beer here in the Lone Star State—and won. He fought to change the distribution laws in Texas so we could all enjoy the fruits of not only his labor, but those of other dedicated and talented brewers across the state. Here’s to Scott and the Freetail team for their incredible efforts. Cheers to them for sharing their passion and product with Texas and the world.
Cheers to ALL the Texas brewing heroes who have brought us to where we are today: the early German settlers in the 1840s, William Menger (first commercial brewery in Texas), original Lone Star Brewery, Pearl Beer and the San Antonio Brewing Association, Kreische Brewery of La Grange, Belleville’s Herman Frank Home Brewery, Dallas’ Simon Mayer Brewery, the Dallas Brewing Company, Fort Worth’s Texas Brewing Company, the Galveston Brewing Company, the Shiner Brewing Association and the Spoetzl Family, Frio Brewing, Yellow Rose Brewing, Saint Arnold Brewing, the second Texas Brewing Company (which operated in the original Dallas Brewing Company’s site), Hill Country Brewing, Celis Brewery, Yegua Creek Brewery, Copper Tank, Two Rows, Rahr and Sons, Live Oak, Real Ale and so many others.
And cheers to all the craft beer gunslingers out there continuing to fight for Texas beer.
Be sure to give the GBH article a read and lift your favorite Texas brew today, y’all. And while you’re at it, remember the Alamo.
You can read more about the history and roots of Texas brewing at the Texas State Historical Association’s website
