San Antonio, October 15, 2025
News Summary
The 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival is set to take place at Civic Park at Hemisfair. This year features an Oktoberfest theme with flavors from San Antonio’s German heritage, including local and global breweries, traditional food, and steinholding competitions. The festival celebrates craft beer culture with various events while supporting local charities. Attendees can enjoy an array of beverages and local food from vendors. Ticket options and festival details make it accessible for beer enthusiasts of all ages over 21.
San Antonio
The 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, October 18 at Civic Park at Hemisfair, marking the event’s anniversary and a return to Hemisfair after park renovations.
Top-line details
The 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival, originally known as the Ale Fest, will take place on Saturday, October 18, at Civic Park at Hemisfair. The festival is organized by Cassandra Wagner of the San Antonio Current. This edition uses an Oktoberfest theme with programming tied to San Antonio’s German heritage.
What to expect
This year’s festival will feature an Oktoberfest theme celebrating San Antonio’s German heritage, including German beers, traditional attire, live polka music, and Bavarian-inspired food. Attendees can sample a broad selection of beverages and visit local food pop-ups and vendors tailored for the 20th anniversary.
Breweries and offerings
Participating breweries include: Global breweries such as Garage Beer, Boston Beer Co., Beatbox Beverages, Texas Cannon Brewing Co., Star Republic Brewing, Pabst, Flix Brewhouse, and Starbase Brewing.
Local favorites include Longtab Brewing, Alamo Beer, Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery, Künstler Brewing, and Dos Sirenos Brewing.
Attendees can expect limited-edition beer releases, local food pop-ups, games, wines, ciders, and merchandise for the anniversary.
Competitions and qualification
A Texas Steinholding State Championship Tournament will be held, with 20 men and 20 women participants competing to hold a beer-filled stein the longest. The top male and female competitors will qualify for the Texas Steinholding State Championship Finals at Wurstfest in New Braunfels on November 16, 2025.
Tickets, age and access
There are three ticket tiers available:
- General admission for $45,
- VIP access for $105, which includes early entry, a commemorative pint glass, tote bag, exclusive T-shirt, access to rare beers, and VIP zone.
All ticket tiers include festival admission, a McIntyre’s Sampling Card with twelve 2-ounce pours, and the option to purchase additional samples. All attendees must be 21 years or older with valid ID.
Logistics, charity and weather
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the fall weather. The festival will proceed rain or shine. A portion of proceeds will support local needs: A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank, Texas’ first food bank that provides meals to communities in need.
Community role and history
The festival has evolved over 20 years and has become a San Antonio institution, promoting craft beer culture and local breweries. The San Antonio Beer Festival marks the closing event of San Antonio Beer Week, which highlights local craft brewers and their contributions. The festival has previously been hosted at various venues including Dignowity Park and Maverick Park but is returning to Hemisfair due to the area’s renovations and upgrades.
Practical reminders
All attendees should carry valid identification and prepare for fall conditions. The event includes food and non-beer beverage options and on-site merchandise for the anniversary.
Key facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival |
| Date | Saturday, October 18 |
| Location | Civic Park at Hemisfair |
| Organizer | Cassandra Wagner of the San Antonio Current |
| Theme | Oktoberfest (German beers, attire, polka, Bavarian food) |
| Competitions | Texas Steinholding State Championship Tournament (20 men, 20 women) |
| Ticket highlights | General $45; VIP $105; sampling card included |
| Age requirement | 21 years or older with valid ID |
| Charity | Portion of proceeds to San Antonio Food Bank |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival at Civic Park at Hemisfair | Confirmed by event organizer |
| November 16, 2025 | Texas Steinholding State Championship Finals at Wurstfest in New Braunfels | Qualification event date for winners |
Simple visual statistics
Breweries by category (count):
| Category | Count | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Global breweries listed | 8 |
████████ (8)
|
| Local breweries listed | 5 |
█████ (5)
|
FAQ
When and where is the festival?
The 20th Annual San Antonio Beer Festival, originally known as the Ale Fest, will take place on Saturday, October 18, at Civic Park at Hemisfair.
Who is organizing the festival?
The festival is organized by Cassandra Wagner of the San Antonio Current.
What is the festival theme this year?
This year’s festival will feature an Oktoberfest theme celebrating San Antonio’s German heritage, including German beers, traditional attire, live polka music, and Bavarian-inspired food.
Will there be a steinholding competition?
A Texas Steinholding State Championship Tournament will be held, with 20 men and 20 women participants competing to hold a beer-filled stein the longest.
What happens to the winners of the steinholding competition?
The top male and female competitors will qualify for the Texas Steinholding State Championship Finals at Wurstfest in New Braunfels on November 16, 2025.
What can attendees expect at the festival?
Attendees can expect limited-edition beer releases, local food pop-ups, games, wines, ciders, and merchandise for the anniversary.
Should guests bring seating?
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the fall weather.
Has the festival been held elsewhere before?
The festival has previously been hosted at various venues including Dignowity Park and Maverick Park but is returning to Hemisfair due to the area’s renovations and upgrades.
Will any proceeds go to charity?
A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank, Texas’ first food bank that provides meals to communities in need.
What role does the festival play in Beer Week?
The San Antonio Beer Festival marks the closing event of San Antonio Beer Week, which highlights local craft brewers and their contributions.
What ticket options are available?
There are three ticket tiers available:
How much is general admission?
General admission for $45,
What is included with VIP access?
VIP access for $105, which includes early entry, a commemorative pint glass, tote bag, exclusive T-shirt, access to rare beers, and VIP zone.
What do all ticket tiers include?
All ticket tiers include festival admission, a McIntyre’s Sampling Card with twelve 2-ounce pours, and the option to purchase additional samples.
Are there age restrictions?
All attendees must be 21 years or older with valid ID.
Will the festival be canceled for bad weather?
The festival will proceed rain or shine.
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Additional Resources
- KENS5
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Beer Festival
- KSAT
- Google Search: San Antonio Beer Festival
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Beer Festival
- News4SanAntonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Beer Festival
- San Antonio Current
- Google News: San Antonio Beer Festival
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
