Store number four for local bar

  • 2015-01-23
San Antonio beer bar Big Hops is getting ready to open a fourth store.

The new location will be near the Hays Street Bridge, which is east of downtown. Big Hops hopes to be up and running by sometime in March.

This Big Hops is the third growler station for the chain. Its fourth store is a gastropub, which includes a complete kitchen. The growler stations do not have kitchens, but patrons who want a meal may buy what they like from a variety of food trucks. Growlers are 64-ounce jugs made of amber-colored glass that can be reused. Patrons can buy a growler of beer to take home and enjoy, and bring it back for a refill.

Big Hops' newest growler station will have 32 taps for serving a variety of beers from craft brewers throughout the country. Rob Martindale, Big Hops' co-owner, said the new bar will open at 306 Austin Street, in the former Boneshakers Pub space. Boneshakers closed over a year ago.

The growler station will be located on the building's first floor, while the top floor will be available for lease.

Big Hops' management could work with a flyer printing company to devise handouts for distribution near the growler station on opening day. The flyer could contain a discount coupon, which should encourage patrons to try the new bar.