Lone Star Beer: A History of Two Iconic San Antonio Breweries

A Tale of Two Lone Stars

Two different breweries from two different centuries, both steeped in German and Texas history, happen to be connected in name only. St. Louis' seasoned beer man, Adolphus Busch, and several San Antonio businessmen sought to modernize brewing in Texas and leave their distinctive mark on the burgeoning industry. They brought more than just German lager, serving up porters and bocks as well. Ultimately, Prohibition precipitated their shuttering. Meanwhile, Karl Haegelin's Sabinas Brewery in Sabinas, Mexico raised the bar for quality while enduring the whims of Pancho Villa. Eventually, Haeglin would move the operation to San Antonio at the end of Prohibition. By 1940, name and ownership had changed too, rebranded as Busch's old trademark - The Lone Star Brewing Company. The reborn Lone Star, steered by Harry Jersig, would craft a recognizable, purely Texas persona - in its identity, its approach to brewing, and its relationships with customers. Join author Jeremy Banas and savor the lineage and legacy of a cherished local libation.