1887
THE BEER CALLED PEARL
The brewery found the product that would become their signature brew. 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.
1894
BREWHOUSE BUILDING ESTABLISHED
A new brewhouse was constructed in 1894, and the building became a symbolic feature of San Antonio industry.The building was designed by Chicago architect August Maritzen in the Second Empire style. Maritzen specialized in breweries, designing more than eighty in the US, Canada and South Africa.
1902
KOEHLER TAKES THE HELM
In 1902, Otto Koehler took the helm of the brewery, leaving his position as manager at the Lone Star Brewing Company to become president and manager of the San Antonio Brewing Association. Under Otto's leadership, the brewery set in motion strategic plans to grow in physical size, as well as beer output.
1916
THE LARGEST BREWERY IN TEXAS
By 1916, beer production capacity had significantly increased 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.
1952
PEARL BREWING COMPANY
The public was under the misconception that San Antonio Brewing Association referred to all brewing in San Antonio in general. Therefore, in 1952 the San Antonio Brewing Association changed its name to the Pearl Brewing Company.
1970
FULL GOODS BUILDING OPENS
The Full Goods building opens as logistics hub sending "full goods" – full bottles of beer — out on trucks and trains.
1985
PABST BREWING COMPANY TAKES OVER
In 1977, Pearl was sold to General Brewing of San Francisco, owned by Paul Kalmanovitz. In 1985, he acquired the Pabst breweries and united his holdings under the name Pabst Brewing Company.
2001
PABST CLOSES OPERATIONS AT PEARL BREWING COMPANY
The new millennium did not bring a change in luck for Pearl or Pabst as a whole. Pabst closed all of their breweries and ended their own beer production. After 118 years of brewing along the San Antonio River, the doors to the Pearl Brewery closed.
2006
OUR FIRST TENANT
The brewery's garage, which was built in 1939, housed Pearl's first tenant, the Aveda Institute, a global company focusing on environmentally friendly personal products.
2009
FARMERS MARKET
The first year-round farmers market in the region opens at Pearl. Pearl Farmers Market is a true producers market featuring local produce from family-owned farmers from a 150-mile radius. To this day, the market hosts 45+ vendors every Saturday and Sunday with products ranging from farm fresh produce and dairy, to honey, salsas, and gourmet candies.
2015
BREWING RETURNS TO PEARL
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery brings back the art of brewing to The Historic Pearl.
2015
HOTEL EMMA AND ITS CULINARY PROPERTIES OPEN
Pearl's culinary-centric boutique hotel, Hotel Emma, opens with Supper, a full service eatery, Sternewirth, the Hotel Emma Bar and Clubroom, as well as Larder, the in-house gourmet market and café.