Happy St. Patty's Day!

It was one year ago that we shut down our operations due to COVID. The City of Seguin was graciously hosting a St. Pat’s Pub Crawl and we had a fresh batch of our Pog Mo Thoin Irish Stout tapped on Nitro and ready to celebrate. And then, we didn’t. We closed. We shut the door on the biggest drinking day in the first quarter of any year.

This year, we still didn’t have enough information to plan a true St. Patty’s Day festivity with the uncertainty floating around capacity limitations and COVID concerns. But, never fear, we put our Irish Stout on sale for $4 per pint for the whole month! Come out and see us tomorrow! It is time to once again celebrate St. Patty’s with a cold, velvety smooth Pog Mo Thoin (we recommend you Google the name). Slainte!

$4 pints of Pog Mo Thoin Irish Stout all March long! Slainte!

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Curious what makes our Stout Irish? Read on!

Like most of the beers we brew, we try to source the ingredients for the style from its origins. So we tracked down Ireland grown malts, we use UK grown hops, and an English style yeast strain to create what is known as an Irish Dry Stout. The Irish grown Spring Barley is the base malt, followed by a healthy dose of Irish roasted barley, and barley flakes. The roasted barley is what gives the stout its dark color and coffee notes. It also contributes to the dryness of the beer. We then hop it very modestly because in this style we want the malts to be louder than the hops.

In our process, the last part is the most challenging. We do not force carbonate our beer with co2! We use natural carbonation or refermentation inside the final vessel, which in this case is the keg. This means that we need to be very precise in creating the appropriate volume of co2 in the beer. Since we put this beer on Nitrogen gas for dispensing (this is what makes it frothy and gives it the mouthfeel of smooth and creamy) we cannot over carbonate the beer, even slightly. If we do, which many of Stein Club Members can attest to, the beer will pour straight foam. If you are interested in learning more about the science of carbonating beer, check this out: https://www.glaciertanks.com/carbonation.html

This beer is still a work in process. Guiness has a few centuries of practice on us, but hopefully we get there soon. Alas, a brewer’s job is never done. But that’s okay as long as someone is enjoying the beer! And if you don’t like our stout, well….pog mo thoin!

2020, 5 Years of Business Adaptations in 9 Months

What a year to be in the brewing business. 2020 brought more challenges than we have truly had answers for, and 2021 is not starting off much clearer. But what, 2020 did bring, was opportunity. Despite all of the ridiculous challenges, capacity limitations, not being able to host any of our major events, private parties, live trivia, or live comedy shows, and honestly waking every day not knowing exactly what is going to happen next; despite all of that, 2020 still brought us opportunity. Here is a glimpse at how we adapted in a challenging situation.

Order our $20 Takeout Special, Pizza and Wings, from the Toast Takeout App!

1. We launched takeout and online. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID situation, on Monday 3/16 we cancelled our St. Patty’s Day Celebration and we launched our online ordering on Wednesday 3/18. That was quick and fantastic work by our kitchen staff and our crew working in the background to set up our POS and online menus. You can order online at www.seguinbrewing.com/order-togo; but it is even easier to download the Toast Takeout App for iPhone or Android and search Seguin Brewing Company.

2. We scrounged up bottles from storage that were used in our old bottling days, and utilized them like growlers and crowlers. You can still order beer to-go in 22 oz bottles from the bar, online, or from the Toast Takeout App.

3. In the mid summer we changed our permit to allow us to make cocktails. Check out www.seguinbrewing.com/cocktailmenu for more information. Did you know, we can also sell cocktails to-go? We do, in one gallon jugs. These are also available for order online and on the Toast Takeout App (I know, getting repetitive, but we really want you to know that if you don’t feel safe coming and sitting, you don’t have to. You can even go old school and call us 830-463-5097).

4. We changed our hours of operation more time than we’d like to count. It seemed like every other week we were modifying hours to fit changing circumstances, being short staffed, altering then menu for shortages, always trying to find the magical balance. It was not easy on any of us. But our staff has been amazing at remaining flexible and working through the challenges.

5. We launched a loyalty program. By joining our loyalty program, customers earn 1 point for every dollar they spend. For every 100 points you redeem, you get $5 off your next purchase and $8 complimentary U.S. Dollars to spend on your birthday! You can sign up here: https://www.toasttab.com/seguin-brewing/rewardsSignup

6. We launched a catering service. We can even deliver. Orders have to be in at least the day prior. Did you know, that we can even deliver alcohol to your catered event? Having a party (during COVID, shame on you, but we won’t tell)? We can deliver bottles of beer, kegs of beer, jugs of cocktails, and/or bottles of wine along with your food! Email brian@seguinbrewing.com for more information about our catering services.

7. We created a new beer recipe without testing it. It is a bit risky tossing in a completely untested beer recipe as the world shuts down, but we did. We made our New Zealand Common, without so much as a pilot batch. Brian drew up the recipe and Shaun brewed it like a champ. We weren’t even in the same room to collaborate on it. We took a classic California Common style beer, and hopped it heavily with hops imported from New Zealand. This beer weighs in at approximately 5.3% abv and around 55 ibu. It is light in body with nice bitterness without packing too much of a punch. It is our third best selling beer behind 9-Pin and Lake Breeze and is now a regular on tap.

This meatball sub is amazing. Homemade meatballs in our house marinara and fresh mozzarella! Yum. By now you should be able to guess all the ways you can order it.

To be honest, we can’t even cover all of the changes we made throughout 2020 because it would turn a quick blog post into a novella. In all seriousness, 2020 was a gut punch to the hospitality industry and really isn’t much to joke about. We have truly been very fortunate. We have been fortunate to have our staff, our supportive customers, our loyal Stein Club Members (the folks who really keep us in line), and our health. We understand there is much more important things going on in the world than your local brewpub. We can certainly appreciate what COVID has taught us about slowing down and appreciating moments in time with friends and family. So from your local brewpub, hang in there and be well. Small town, big nuts!

Celeste is still a rock star behind the bar for us!

Oktoberfest Time!

It's nearly that time of year again.  Our inaugural Oktoberfest was a blast last year, and we are looking to add one more event into the mix.  This year we will have a Bags (Corn Hole) Tourney on Saturday afternoon. Sign up for the tournament will be at the brewery.  Stay tuned for more info regarding the tourney.

We will also have Masskrugstemmen (Stein Holding) both Friday and Saturday nights.  Come show us your strength by seeing how long you can hold a liter stein filled with beer (approx 5.5 lbs).  Winner's receive prizes and all participants will get to keep their SBC Logo 1 Liter Stein.  There is an entry fee into the competition that is paid at the brewery the day of the competition.  Disclaimer:  This is not a nationally recognized Masskrugstemmen competition, but rather a fun local contest.

Masskrugstemmen

We will have live Oompah music both nights again.  Friday night will open with The Mayoral Prost at 7:30 by Mayor Don Keil and then music will kick off with last year's favorites, The Reed Meisters.  Be sure to come early to claim your tables (seating begins at 5:00).  The street will be closed and we will also have tables outside.  Saturday, new to our Oktoberfest, will be The Fritz Hodde Band.  They will play two sets, one in the afternoon at 3:00 and one in the evening at 7:00.  Check our events pages on www.seguinbrewing.com/events or www.facebook.com/seguinbrewingco for time updates.  

The Reed Meisters

We will also have the Seguin Rotary Club back this year making brats that are cooked in our 9-Pin Kolsch.  Last year's brats were a big hit.  All bratwursts proceeds go towards the Rotarians fund raising efforts.  We will also have Bavarian style soft pretzels available for purchase in the brewery.  This year's event is sure to be bigger and better than last year and filled with great cheer.  Come out and join us.  Prost!

Oktoberfest!

I ended my September with a journey to Munich for Oktoberfest.  I spent two days at the festival and had a blast meeting people from other countries and talking beer.  Of course, while enjoying a few liters of Oktoberfest Bier, I studied the German's version in comparison to our own and other American versions of the Oktoberfest style of beer.  Here are some of my thoughts and observations:

1. Oktoberfest Beer is a style of beer just like a porter, stout or IPA.  The style is determined by parameters that generally include certain malts, hops, and yeast in differing amounts.  How each brewer alters those combinations makes each beer different.
2. German Oktoberfest is golden in color with a light to medium body.
3. American Oktoberfest tend to be orange in color with light to medium body.
4. The alcohol percentages tend to be comparable, ranging from 5%-6.5%, roughly.
5. German Oktoberfest are lager beers, generally made in March (Marzen style) and cellared until they're tapped by the mayor of Munich signaling the start of the festival.
6. American Oktoberfest tend to be ales made one to two months before they're released (this is definitely not always true and depends on the brewery).
7. American Oktoberfest tend to be slightly to much sweeter depending on the brewery.
8. In Germany, it is rude to chug an Oktoberfest bier.
9. Augustiner, the brewery that made the beer I am drinking in the picture has been brewing since 1328 and is still family owned (according to a Munich local, I didn't actually fact check that).  Seguin Brewing Company has been brewing beer since November of 2014 and we are still friend and family owned (according to me and I did fact check that).
10. Some of the tents require reservations to enter and sit at a table.  Make friends with the locals and you'll have a great time.  If you can't get into a tent, there are plenty of biergartens outside of the tents to get some beer.

Here I am enjoying an Augustiner Oktoberfest at one of their biergartens.

This is just one of the Augustiner tents.  Each tent holds thousands of people and some require a reservation to get in.

Oktoberfest is an absolute blast, and I learned that Wurstfest, in New Braunfels, while being much smaller in size, feels much like the real thing.  Oktoberfest beer has always been one of my favorite styles of beer.  Get out there and enjoy a Texas take on the old world style Oktoberfest by grabbing a Seguin Brewing Co Oktoberfest.  Prost! Zum Wohl!

Why Seguin?

Over the course of starting this business I have had many people ask me, "Why Seguin for a brewery?"  My response was usually candid in explaining this is my home; this is where I grew up; I have friends and family here; this is what I know, and I enjoy living in my hometown.  As I continued to hear people ask this question with genuine interest, I began answering the question, "Why not Seguin?"

Generally I received a slew of answers ranging from demographics, socioeconomic, to there is nothing to do in Seguin, and many other responses that have a negative connotation about this community.  These reasons cause some to believe Seguin seems like an odd choice.  But generally those exact reasons are indeed why Seguin is the perfect place for a brewery and other new small business ventures because there is opportunity and change and growth happening here.  It is a fun time for our historic town, and these are some of the answers to the question, "Why Seguin?"

1. Progress.  Seguin is a great town in which to live.  We have agriculture, parks, lakes, small shops, local restaurants, an amusement park, a nationally recognized university, a regional hospital, manufacturing, diversity and a wonderful family oriented community.  As a city, we have so much great growth occurring in both small and larger businesses coming into town and creating jobs and stimulating the local economy.  We have this amazing effort taking place to revitalize our historic downtown and return it to a place that is vibrant with shops, retail, and living.  This has come from the efforts of many men and women who call Seguin home, and it is these people who have been the catalysts for growth and progress.

2. Opportunity.  One of the greatest accomplishments a person can make in their lifetime is to make a positive difference.  The difference doesn't have to be monumental to the world to be impactful.  The difference can be small and monumental to a few, but it is still making a difference.  We feel like we have an opportunity to make a difference in Seguin.  We have an opportunity to create a product for this community to be proud of and call its own.  We get to be apart of the ground level of the city's new growth.  We have an opportunity to work with other small local businesses to help them reach new customers and generate new business.  We can stimulate economic growth here in our community and even though it may be in a small way we are nonetheless excited for this opportunity.

3. Pride.  The greater part of this community cares about and has pride for Seguin.  These people are just as excited to see the new growth and support the local businesses within our community.  It is these people that help us prove "why Seguin" everyday as nearly 50% of our beer sales come from right here in this community.  Our citizens have proven that there is a market for craft beer in this town, but more importantly it is local products that they care about because those products came from this community - a community in which they have great pride.

4. Small town, big nuts.  People enjoy our tagline and we are happy it provides them with a chuckle.  We hope it creates a way for consumers to remember us and our products.  But the tagline is more than just a celebration of the World's Largest Pecans.  In fact, the tagline is deeper than that because it also represents the people who are nuts about this town.  These people are everywhere in Seguin and their passion for our community is impossible for them to hide.  It is with great pleasure that I get to watch eyes light up when people share our town's interesting history, or share the successes of our local youth sports, or discuss the renovations in the downtown.  So yes, the tagline is about the pecans, but it is also about the big nuts that live in this small town and work to see it prosper.  

Good things are happening here, and we are happy to be a small part of it.  Cheers from Seguin Brewing Company.