05.17.11 at 12:05 p.m.
Lauren McClendon

Downtown District Welcomes Freetail Brewing Co. to Houston

We're so excited to welcome downtown Houston's soon-to-be tenant, Freetail Brewing Co. The San Antonio-based brewpub will expand to Houston with a flagship downtown location in spring 2012 and create 100 new jobs. 

“When I started this company I would never have envisioned a Houston location,” said Metzger. “But through the diligent efforts of the Downtown District and the city’s vocal craft beer fans, I’ve begun to fall in love with the city and I am looking forward to many beers there.”  

The Downtown District saw a need for an independent brewery in downtown Houston after Rice Village’s Two Rows closed in October 2010 and sought-out Freetail Brewery Co. after Metzger announced his search for a new location last November. Freetail will be a great fit for downtown, as it has three key components to a successful business: a unique concept, great location (yet to be announced) and a solid reputation.

The new location, described as a “flagship” design, will span three floors and includes a company store for customers to buy packaged product, growlers and merchandise in addition to ample restaurant and bar space. Unlike Freetail’s original location, which is primarily one big room with a patio overlooking the Texas hill country, Freetail Houston will feature traditional restaurant seating, private dining space, and a game room with pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and numerous televisions.  Houston Dynamo Fans can plan on making Freetail their new spot, as Metzger is huge MLS fan and will be broadcasting each match from the game room.

“As part of our retail efforts, we specifically targeted Freetail Brewing Co. as a great fit for downtown,” said Downtown District executive director Bob Eury. “They will create positive synergy with other downtown retailers and when you add a brewpub to our list of newcomers Phoenicia Specialty Foods and Sundance Cinemas, we are really starting to move the needle in regards to making downtown a thriving, livable community.”  

The Freetail CEO also added that a grass roots social media campaign played a huge part in the decision. “Organizations like Girls Pint Out, the Foam Rangers, the Bay Area Mashtronauts and Houston beer enthusiasts share a lot of the credit for this decision. They took to Twitter and Facebook and made an effort to show how much they wanted Freetail, and I heard that message loud and clear.”  

St. Arnold’s Brock Wagner shared Metzger’s sentiments that Houston is ready for a brewpub. “Houston has a thriving beer scene but oddly no brewpubs.  I have told many people that if I could, I would love to open a brewpub here.  People will quickly embrace a brewpub downtown and one already known to brew great beers.  The success of such a place will dispel the view that there is a brewpub curse in Houston,” said Wagner.

Bay Area Mashtronauts, Bob Eury, Brock Wagner, Downtown District, Foam Rangers, Freetail Brewing Co., Girls Pint Out, Houston, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., San Antonio, Scott Metzger