Lone Star Brewing Company
A Texas beer with a history dating to 1884.
Lone Star Brewing Company is a Texas beer brand known for its Lone Star Beer, a lager that has become closely associated with Texas culture. The brewery's history involves two separate companies with the same name, the first established in 1884 in San Antonio and ceasing operations in 1919, and a second, unrelated company founded in 1940 in the same city that began producing the beer that carries the name. As of 2025, the brand is owned by Pabst Brewing Company and its beer is produced in Texas by Anheuser-Busch.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- (as Alamo Brewing Company of San Antonio)
- Founder
- Adolphus Busch
- Hq Location City
- San Antonio, Texas
- Hq Location Country
- U.S.A
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
- Owner
- Pabst Brewing Company
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The original Lone Star Brewing Company was established in 1884 in San Antonio, Texas, and brewed Alamo Beer before ceasing operations in 1919. In 1940, a new and unrelated company with the same name was founded in San Antonio, and brewer Peter Kreil from Munich created the formula for the first beer to actually be called Lone Star Beer. The company rebranded itself as the Lone Star Brewing Company and began officially producing Lone Star Beer that year. Under the leadership of Harry Jersig, the company went public in 1949. By 1960, the brewery had 651 employees, and by 1965, annual sales exceeded 1 million barrels. In 1956, the brewery purchased the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum collection, and a special building was erected on the Lone Star grounds to house it. In the 1970s, sales benefited from marketing manager Jerry Retzloff's association with Willie Nelson and the Austin music scene. The beer is mentioned in the title track of Red Steagall's 1976 album 'Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music'.
Reader's Guide
Lone Star Beer has a significant presence in American popular culture, particularly in Texas. It was the underwriter for the PBS music program Austin City Limits from 1976 to 1983. The beer appears frequently in television series such as King of the Hill, Friday Night Lights (as the beer of choice for Tim Riggins), Young Sheldon, True Detective, and Mad Men. In film, it is featured in Urban Cowboy (1980), Six Pack (1982), American Sniper (2014), Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), and Wild at Heart (1990), among others. The beer is also a central theme of the one-act play Lone Star by James McLure. In music, it is referenced in songs by artists including Charlie Daniels Band, Johnny Paycheck, David Allen Coe, Red Steagall, Pat Green, and Gary P. Nunn. The brand's ownership changed several times: Olympia Brewing Co. bought it in 1976, G. Heileman bought Olympia in 1983, Stroh Brewery Co. bought Heileman and closed the San Antonio brewery in 1996, and Pabst bought most Stroh brands including Lone Star in 1999. Production moved to the San Antonio Pearl Brewery in 1999, but that brewery closed in 2000. Production is currently contracted to non-Pabst-owned breweries, including Miller Brewing Company in Fort Worth and, beginning in early 2025, Anheuser-Busch in Houston.
Did You Know?
- The Old Lone Star Brewery building in San Antonio, built between 1895 and 1904, has housed the San Antonio Museum of Art since 1925.
- In 1956, the Lone Star Brewery purchased the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lone Star Brewing Company?
Lone Star Brewing Company is a Texas beer brand rooted in San Antonio, with its origins tracing back to 1884. The name has been carried by two separate, unrelated companies over the decades, making it one of the state's most recognizable beer identities.
What is Lone Star Beer and what role does it play in Texas culture?
Lone Star Beer is a lager that has become a cultural touchstone in Texas, often tied to the state's broader identity. It was created by Peter Kreil in 1940, and by 1965 the brand was moving over a million barrels annually.
How does the Lone Star Brewing Company story unfold?
The first company under this name was established in San Antonio in 1884 but ceased operations in 1919. A second, entirely separate company was founded in the same city in 1940 and began brewing the beer that carries the Lone Star name.
Who owns and produces Lone Star Beer today?
As of 2025, the Lone Star brand is owned by Pabst Brewing Company, which has held the rights since 1999. The beer itself is produced in Texas by Anheuser-Busch.
Why is Lone Star Brewing Company important to beer fans?
It represents a uniquely Texas brewing legacy that spans nearly 140 years across two distinct companies. With 651 employees by 1960 and deep roots in San Antonio, it remains a symbol of regional pride in American commercial brewing.
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