San Antonio’s Pearl Brewery and Farmer’s Market

San Antonio’s Pearl Brewery has a long and interesting history starting as, you guessed it, a brewery. The original brewery opened in 1881 as the J.B. Behloradsky Brewery or the City Brewery. Pearl beer was formulated and first brewed in Bremen, Germany, by the Kaiser–Beck Brewery, which produces Beck’s beer. Pearl beer’s name came from Kaiser–Beck’s brewmaster, who thought the foamy bubbles in a freshly poured glass of the brew resembled sparkling pearls. The brewery will undergo changes in leadership several times throughout the years.

In 1916, beer production increased in the US from 6,000 US barrels/year in the early 20th century to over 110,000 US barrels/year. The San Antonio Brewing Association became the largest Texas brewery until 1919 when Prohibition strikes. Under Emma Kohler, widow of Otto Kohler who had been president of the company since 1902, the brewery stays open. Otto was shot and killed by one of his mistresses also named Emma in 1914 after an argument. Years later, it is said Otto still haunts The Pearl.

“One is great, and three will kill ya.”

This story of Otto’s demise later became known as the “Tale of the Three Emmas.” The story also is the inspiration for Hotel Emma’s Three Emma’s cocktail, #1 made with pearl and rose cordial – representing the strong wife who ran the brewery after Otto’s death, Amontillado Sherry, for sweet Emma #2 who wasn’t willing to marry Otto and ran off, and Botanist gin, added for Emma #3. If you want to try it for yourself, here’s their recipe:

When Prohibition struck, the livelihood of many breweries throughout the United States was threatened. The Pearl was no exception but due to the creative thinking of Emma Koehler, Otto’s widow, The Pearl survived. Emma Koehler vowed not to let the brewery go under, and it remained viable by producing a near beer, bottling soft drinks, performing dry cleaning, operating a small advertising sign division, running an auto repair shop, and entering the commercial ice and creamery businesses. Not one single employee was let go under Emma’s leadership. Emma is now the namesake of the beautiful, award-winning Hotel Emma, which opened in 2015,

Pearl Brewery- it’s good eats!

The opening of the Hotel Emma came as a major renovation to the Pearl Brewery property which had closed in 2001 after Pabst Brewing Company bought the Pearl Brewery in 1977, Pabst later shut down all of its breweries, leaving the Pearl empty until 2001. In 2001, Silver Ventures purchased the 23-acre property to build restaurants, shops, lofts, and, of course, the Hotel Emma.

Now home to a Culinary Institute of America, Southerleigh restaurant, The Bottling Department which is a chef-driven food hall and several boutiques. There are several other restaurants and a great farmer’s market to check out too! 

Recently, The Pearl has undergone a few changes to its parking. One small area of parking has now been replaced with more sidewalks. While this does make the sometimes difficult parking even a bit trickier, the change makes it easier to navigate especially during the weekend farmer’s market. The farmer’s market was previously located around a grassy area and was typically congested it is also the main area for restaurants. However, I heard a conversation in one of the shops that they had almost no foot traffic since the farmer’s market is no longer in front of their shop.

The Pearl’s Farmer’s Market is a year-round market. On Saturdays, the market features predominantly produce vendors whereas Sundays feature more artisanal goods.