Beer collaborations are nothing new for many beer drinkers. Most breweries have hooked up with other breweries, bands, or even restaurants, pooling their collective creativity usually resulting in a beer that expresses both entities.
Recently local San Antonio favorite Freetail Brewing released Hill Country Honey Blonde, an American Blonde Ale brewed with Texas wildflower & brush honey, in collaboration with the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa on the City’s Northside by the PGA Village.
JW Marriott had been looking to have a beer all its own at the resort for some time that guests could enjoy and was unique to their hotel. Director of Food and Beverage, Adam Tyler, approached Freetail about such a beer. After discussions with Freetail about style options, it was decided that a blonde would work well locally. The beer was named Hill Country Honey Blonde after the hilly area of Texas north of San Antonio. To add even more character, local honey that is produced by the resort’s on-site beehives would be used to accent the light nature of the beer.
Image courtesy of JW Marriott
Hill Country Honey Blonde is available exclusively at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa 23808 Resort Pkwy, as well as the S. Presa Freetail taproom at 2000 S Presa St.
Appearance: Medium gold, clear, with medium head retention.
Aroma: Floral, sweet.
Flavor: Honey, bread, with a mild bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Medium body
Overall impression: Easy drinking summer beer with a sweet honey character.
Freetail Brewing opened in 2008 on the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition off Loop 1604 and later opened a second pub and production facility on the Southside in 2014. Run by President Bill Sisoian and Director of Brewing Ops Jason Davis, Freetail has partnered with local businesses before, notably the San Antonio Zoo. Davis helped found Freetail in 2008.