Background
Jeff Balfour, a renowned Chef, opened Southerleigh Brewery April 2015. The facility also known as Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery. It is located in The Pearl Distric, former campus of late 1800’s Pearl beer production facility. The head Brewer is Les Locke.
Due to the Pearl location success, in August 2019, Southerleigh announced plans to expand by replicating the successful blueprint to more locations in San Antonio. A new concept will open in late 2019 in the community of Brooks on the Southeast side which will feature seafood. The Southerleigh Bird & Biscuit will open in the northwest part of San Antonio known as the RIM.
Experience
We made reservations at Southerleigh Brewery on a Friday night. Southerleigh is in the middle of a large complex known as the old Pearl Brewing complex. The brewery/restaurant is surrounded by several other restaurants, bars and Hotel Emma.
The space is large with very comfortable seating, bar and outside patio. Because it was chilly the night we visited we chose to sit inside. The dining room had a rustic chic charm to it. The service was great also. The restaurant is attached by a corridor to the impressive lobby of Hotel Emma. We enjoyed exploring that after our meal.
On the day we visited there were fourteen different beers available. As a result, we ordered two flights or eight of their beers. Our favorites were the Forbidden Popsicle, a watermelon Witbier and Koalas, Cocker Spaniels & Unicorns, a cucumber Gose. Also notable, Picadilleigh, a kind of Koolaid & pickle juice with a salty spicey rim fruited beer. I guess it is a Texas thing? Interesting.
The food menu offers several delicious items. We enjoyed the Red Snapper Throats and the Cracker Crusted Gulf Red Snapper. Both were delicious.
The only nearby hotel is Hotel Emma next to Southerleigh Brewery. When in San Antonio also check out Blue Star Brewing which we visited and reviewed.
