San Antonio’s craft beer scene keeps growing, and plenty of brewers want in. But opening a brewery or brewpub in San Antonio takes more than a great recipe. You need federal approval, a state license that matches your business model, and local sign-off. Get the model wrong, and the license you pick won’t let you sell the way you planned.
Short answer: To open a brewery or brewpub in San Antonio, you need a federal Brewer’s Notice from the TTB, plus a TABC license. A brewpub holds a Brewpub License on top of a Mixed Beverage or Beer and Wine Retailer’s Permit. A brewery holds a Brewer’s License. Both also need Bexar County and City of San Antonio approvals.
Brewery vs. Brewpub: Which One Are You Opening?
Texas treats these as two different businesses, and the choice drives every step that follows.
| Brewpub | Brewery | |
|---|---|---|
| TABC license | Brewpub License (BP), added to a retail permit | Brewer’s License |
| Tier | Retail | Manufacturing |
| Core model | Brew and sell on-site, often with food and a full bar | Brew at scale, sell through distributors, with taproom sales |
| Production limit | Up to 10,000 barrels a year | Much higher volume thresholds |
| Take-home sales | Containers up to a half barrel | Limited by production size and TABC rules |
If you want a restaurant or taproom that brews its own beer, a brewpub usually fits. If you want to package and distribute widely, you’re building a brewery.
The Licenses You Need
Expect to stack approvals at three levels.
Federal. Before applying to TABC, you need a Brewer’s Notice from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Beer labels need TTB and TABC approval before you package anything for sale.
State. TABC issues the license that matches your model:
- Brewpub License (BP). It’s a subordinate license, so it attaches to a Mixed Beverage Permit or a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit. TABC’s Mixed Beverage Permit with Brewpub License course explains what it authorizes.
- Brewer’s License. It covers manufacturing, importing, and selling to distributors and retailers.
Local. Your location needs city and county certification, and a 60-day public notice sign unless TABC exempts you. TABC may also require a bond, depending on your permit.
If your brewpub serves only beer, our Beer License page explains the base permit. Brewpubs with cocktails need the Mixed Beverage Permit instead.
What San Antonio and Bexar County Add
Bexar County is fully wet, so local-option elections won’t block a properly zoned site. Even so, San Antonio applicants should plan for several local steps:
- City approval. The City of San Antonio reviews zoning and local requirements for your address.
- County permit. After TABC approves your state license, Bexar County’s Tax Assessor-Collector handles the local permit fee.
- TABC review. The San Antonio Regional Office handles licensing and enforcement for the area.
- Higher state fees. Bexar is one of four Texas counties with a surcharge above the statewide baseline.
Our San Antonio licensing page covers the local process in more detail.
Steps to Open a Brewery or Brewpub in San Antonio
- Choose your model. Decide between brewpub and brewery before you sign a lease.
- Find a compliant location. Check zoning, wet status, and distance from schools and churches. Also check that the building can support brewing equipment.
- Form your business. Register your entity and get your Texas sales tax permit.
- Secure your federal approval. File for the TTB Brewer’s Notice.
- Gather local certifications. Get city and county sign-off on your TABC forms.
- Post the 60-day sign if it applies, and publish any required notice.
- File with TABC. Submit through the AIMS portal with your lease, ownership records, and federal paperwork.
- Finish local permits. Complete the Bexar County step after TABC approves.
- Get labels approved. Do this before you package or sell.
Most state licenses take 60 to 90 days once everything is filed, and federal approval adds time on top. Our Alcohol License Acquisition service manages the state and local steps so your timeline stays predictable.
Common Mistakes Brewers Make
- Picking a brewery license when the plan is really a brewpub with a kitchen
- Starting construction before confirming zoning allows brewing
- Filing with TABC before federal TTB approval is in place
- Ordering labels before TTB and TABC approve them
- Ignoring that Texas separates the manufacturing and retail tiers, which affects who can own what
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to open a brewery in San Antonio?
You need a federal TTB Brewer’s Notice and a TABC Brewer’s License, plus local city and county approvals.
What’s the difference between a brewery and a brewpub in Texas?
A brewpub is a retailer that brews and sells on-site under a Brewpub License. A brewery is a manufacturer under a Brewer’s License.
How much beer can a Texas brewpub make?
A brewpub can produce up to 10,000 barrels a year under its Brewpub License.
Can a brewpub serve cocktails?
Yes, if it holds a Mixed Beverage Permit as its base permit. A Beer and Wine Retailer’s Permit covers beer and wine only.
Can a brewpub sell beer to go?
Yes, in lawful containers up to a half barrel, to the extent its base permit allows.
Do I need federal approval before applying to TABC?
Yes. Texas applicants need a TTB Brewer’s Notice and approved labels before selling.
How long does it take to get licensed in San Antonio?
State licensing typically takes 60 to 90 days, and federal approval adds time on top.
Is Bexar County wet or dry?
Bexar County is fully wet, but local city and county steps still apply.
The Bottom Line
Opening a brewery or brewpub in San Antonio starts with one decision: manufacturer or retailer. That choice sets your license, your sales rights, and your ownership rules. Pair it with federal TTB approval and early local certification, and your opening date stays realistic.
Planning a brewery or brewpub in San Antonio? Schedule a free consultation with Texas Alcohol Consulting and we’ll match you to the right license before you build.