Trust me, I know. It has felt like an eternity since we started the Freetail2 project. We officially revealed the S Presa location with an event honoring State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and State Rep Mike Villarreal on September 7, 2013 and there was months of legwork before then.
It was a long, stressful, an oftentimes all around disheartening journey, but we brewed our first batch at the new brewery on September 18, 2014. Appropriately, it was a batch of Freetail Original, an ode to the original version of Freetail Ale, available on draft and in 22oz bombers. That brew on the 18th kicked off an exhausting stretch of brews that worked our team to the bone. 6 straight days of brews followed and we now have batches of Freetail Original, Soul Doubt IPA, Bat Outta Helles, OktoberFiesta, and Witicus being delivered to stores, restaurants and bars tomorrow morning.
Our awesome distributor, Silver Eagle, keeps saying if we can get it on a truck, then can sell it. We’ve taken that to heart and have continued brewing non-stop. If a tank is open, we’re putting wort into it. We’re close to packaging up the second batches of all the aforementioned beers, we’ve loaded up roughly 1,240 gallons worth of base beer into barrels to get our wild ale program started back up, and we’ll be packaging La Muerta next week for it’s annual release on November 1 (more on that later). A huge part of me wants to get a bunch of additional fermentation tanks on order as soon as I wake up tomorrow, but the financial security of our company would probably prefer I wait until we make a few more deliveries. Good things are happening, dreams are coming true, beer is being delivered!
We have a number of tap takeovers happening over the next two weeks to get this puppy launched, so without further ado, here’s what is happening in addition to deliveries to your local grocery and liquor stores:
Tuesday Oct 21: The Friendly Spot, 6pm
Wednesday Oct 22: World of Beer, 7pm
Thursday Oct 23: Flying Saucer, 6pm
Friday Oct 24: The Luxury
Tuesday Oct 28: Whole Foods, 5pm
Thursday Oct 30: Big Hops Gastropub, 6pm
Friday Oct 31: Big Hops Growler Stations (Huebner & Broadway), 7pm
In addition to these events, we will be hosting samplings at various HEB’s and Total Wine. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter for more events.
We also want you to share with us your sightings of Freetail in the Wild! Post to our Facebook wall or tag us on Twitter or Instagram your pics of where you are finding Freetail with #FreetailLaunch
LA MUERTA 2014
As I mentioned earlier, we have La Muerta 2014 brewed at the new place and ready to go. Our tasting room won’t quite be open yet for a bottle release (more on that later), so… SUPER MEGA BONUS BOTTLE RELEASE at the brewpub! I know, we said the last bottle release was the last one. I’m pretty sure we said the one prior to that would be the last one too. But, we’re going to have another one, and this may not be the last one either!
So anyway, Dia de La Muerta 2014 at the brewpub. Normal bottle release rules apply (I’ll post more details the week of the release, which is like… next week). 1200 bottles at the brewpub. Bottle share encouraged!
The following week, bottles and kegs will go out to the market, but in fairly limited supply. More details later.
THE TASTING ROOM GRAND OPENING
The tasting room at the new brewery on S Presa will open to the public at 4pm on Friday, November 7. San Antonians, you probably know this is First Friday and what that entails. We fully intend on blowing this mofo out! We’ll have 3 food trucks, local artist Bruce Pena will be completing a mural on the front of our building live, and we will start what we are going to try to make a regular First Friday tradition: a limited edition t-shirt will be available. We plan on having a new artist-commissioned t-shirt available every First Friday in limited quantities, so arrive early and get one while you can.
After the opening, we will commence with regular Tasting Room Hours as follows: Thursday 4-9pm, Friday 4-9pm, Saturday 2-9pm. We will stay open a little later on First Fridays. Every day that the tasting room is open, we will be conducting tours.
So that’s all I have for now. This is an exciting time. When we opened the brewpub in 2008, this was always our goal. My original business plan literally stated that we wanted to build a reputation with a brewpub, change the law, and then build a facility to distribute out of. Today, that dream is realized. Below is the official Press Release announcing this great moment for us.
Lastly, I want to dedicate this occasion to my mother, Margaret, who recently passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. My mother was my biggest advocate and was the first investor in Freetail Brewing Co when it was officially founded in January of 2007. Without her love and support, the brewery wouldn’t be celebrating this moment. This one is for you, mom.
Cheers,
Scott
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SILVER EAGLE DISTRIBUTORS TO BEGIN DISTRIBUTION OF FREETAIL BREWING CO. PRODUCTS THIS WEEK
(October 20, 2014) San Antonio, TX – Following the announcement last spring that Freetail Brewing Co. had signed a distribution partnership with Silver Eagle Distributors, the nation’s second largest beer distributor, the well-known San Antonio craft brewery has completed construction on its new brewery, located at 2000 S Presa St. in San Antonio. Now with the capacity to increase production of its products, mass distribution into the San Antonio market will begin this Tuesday, October 21, 2014.
The new 30,000 square foot brewery is set up to produce approximately 5,000 barrels or 68,850 cases per year currently, with expansion capabilities that would allow production to increase up to 40,000 barrels or 550,800 cases per year. “What makes this project so special is that it is a culmination of a vision developed well before we opened the original brewpub,” explains Freetail founder and CEO Scott Metzger. “It was in my original business plan to open a successful pub, build a reputation, work on changing the state’s laws in regards to brewpubs selling to wholesalers, and then open a facility that could produce for wholesale. It is particularly special to be taking this next step into mass distribution in San Antonio with Silver Eagle Distributors, a wholesaler that was a key supporter in our efforts to get the law changed.”
The initial roll out into the market will encompass the San Antonio-area only. Four core year-round brands plus a seasonal will be among the brands hitting bars, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores this week. Limited-edition varieties will also be on the schedule starting in November. Beginning Tuesday, October 21, Bat Outta Helles, Oktoberfiesta (seasonal) and Soul Doubt will all be available on draft and in cans. Freetail Original and Witicus will be available in 22oz bombers and draft.
“We are thrilled to partner with Freetail as the official distributor of its products,” says John L. Nau, president and CEO, Silver Eagle Distributors. The day so many have waited for has
finally arrived, and now San Antonians have the option of enjoying Freetail at home or their favorite local bar.”
Freetail’s brewpub, located at the brewery’s original location at 4035 N. Loop 1604 W. # 105 in San Antonio will remain in operation, serving as a research and development facility that will allow Freetail to experiment with new beers. The brewery will also stock experimental and pub exclusive beers there – some that may never see the outside of the brewpub, and others that just might become the brewery’s next big hit out in the market.
Promotional events to debut Freetail throughout the San Antonio community will be taking place at local bars all week. More information on these events can be found at: www.silvereagle.com/events or www.facebook.com/SABeerExperts.
About Freetail Brewing Co.
Freetail Brewing Co. was founded in 2008 on the pursuit of creating exciting, innovative and unique world class beer. We embrace the laid back and fun-loving Texas culture and set out to create products that mirror the lifestyle of our diverse and rapidly growing community. We believe in promoting an increased appreciation of craft products and their responsible enjoyment. For more information visit www.freetailbrewing.com.
About Silver Eagle Distributors
Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P. is the nation’s second largest beer distributor. The company employs approximately 1,400 employees that serve 16 counties in Texas through operations in Houston, San Antonio, Conroe, Cypress and Rosenberg. Silver Eagle distributes a broad selection of domestic and import brands, as well as microbrews and craft beers and several non-alcohol beverages and waters. For more information, visit www.silvereagle.com.
