Texas-Brewed Beers on Tap at Esquire Tavern
The Esquire Tavern is the oldest bar on the San Antonio Riverwalk and is known for its fun and relaxing atmosphere. This bar has a wide range of drinks available, but a person who wants to truly savor the Texan atmosphere should be sure to try at least one of the bar's many Texas-brewed beers.
Those who enjoy beers on draft will be sure to enjoy hanging out at the Esquire Tavern. There are many Texan beers to choose from, including the 512 Pecan Porter, Ranger Creek Oatmeal Pale Ale, Fireman #4 Blonde Ale, Live Oak Big Bark Amber, Live Oak Hefeweizen, and Ranger Creek South Texas Lager. These authentic beers are all known to be crisp and light.
What Makes Texas-Brewed Beers Unique?
Given the fact that there are so many beers to choose from, one may wonder what makes Texan beer unique. Texas beer on tap is much different than beer served from a can or bottle. It is made in Texas by Texan companies who are dedicated to preserving Texas' unique beer culture. Following is some interesting insight into the creation of some of the unique, high quality beers available on tap from Esquire Tavern.
Fireman #4 Blonde Ale is made by the Real Ale Brewing Company in Austin, Texas. The water for the beer is taken from the local Blanco River; many Texans credit the beer's excellent taste to this fact. The name comes from Firemans Texas Cruzer, a Texas bike manufacturer.
512 Pecan Porter stands out from other Texan beers because of its near black color and high (6.8) alcohol content. It is an original Austin beer and is made with organic US 2-row and Crystal malts. Also thrown in the mix are Baird's Chocolate and Black malts. It has a full body and malty sweetness, along with a subtle aroma of pecans, courtesy of the many pecans grown in the area.
Ranger Creek is the San Antonio company that can be credited with the creation of Ranger Creek Oatmeal Pale Ale and Ranger Creek South Texas Lager. Oatmeal Pale Ale is created wholly from U.S. grown Centennial and Amarillo hops. Also included are toasted coconut, pineapple, lime zest, apricot, and herbaceous spice. South Texas Lager is lighter and milder than Oatmeal Pale Ale. It has a sweet malt aroma and flavor coupled with a dry and crisp finish.
Unlike some other beer companies that use solely U.S. hops and ingredients, Live Oak prides itself in creating Texas beer using the best of Czech and German malts and hops. The Big Bark Amber Lager is perhaps one of the smoothest Texas beers one will come across. It is not bitter like many other beers and is made to have a smooth, malty flavor. Live Oak's Hefeweizen beer is fermented using authentic Weizenbier yeast, along with delicate traces of vanilla, banana, and clove. These flavors help to create a unique beer that is ideal for a hot Texas summer night. While these beers are made using non-Texan ingredients, they are made with Texas style, and their unique taste is something that one will not experience in other, non-Texan beers.
Perhaps the best part about having the beers on draft is the fact that it compliments the atmosphere. The Esquire Tavern may be upscale, but it is not a delicate, modern tavern with sleek walls and a contemporary style of decor. It is a place where one can imagine cowboys tromping in after a long day's work. As one frequent visitor to the Tavern has commented, one is likely to find more dead animals on the walls than anything else. Thus, drinking from a can or bottle would seem very out of place, although it can be done.
Die-hard beer drinkers will also note that beer does not taste the same when it is bottled or canned. Beer in kegs has a unique, slightly woodsy taste, courtesy of the wooden keg it has been stored in. Those looking for the best Texas-brewed beers will want to enjoy them on tap, as they were meant to be enjoyed, and there is no better place to enjoy this beer than Esquire Tavern.