The Alamo City’s craft beer scene has been booming for a few years, but we realized we hadn’t put together a list of local spots where suds lovers can mix, mingle and drink in the sunshine. For shame!

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it’s a good start for beer-loving folks looking to plan their next summer outing. Click through for 27 of SA’s essential beer spots with beer gardens or patio seating.

Vista Brewing Company 1333 Buena Vista St, 512-766-1842, vistabrewingtx.com Vista Brewing, based in the Central Texas town of Driftwood, extended its reach to San Antonio earlier this spring with the opening of a new tasting room and beer garden at Warehouse 5. Photo via Instagram / vistabrewingsatx
Flix Brewhouse 845 TX-1604 Loop S, 726-800-7500, flixbrewhouse.com Dinner-and-a-movie concept Flix Brewhouse may remind folks of other similar spots, but this one sports a novel twist: it brews its own beer. Its opening selection includes seven of its proprietary brews, including a golden ale, two IPAs and a chocolate stout. Photo via Instagram / flixbrewhouse
Big Hops Growler Station 11224 Huebner Rd #204, 210-877-9663, bighops.com When a beer-centric chain’s motto is “promoting craft beer culture since 2013,” it makes sense to expect a huge selection of craft brews — and growlers to transport them home in. Any one of this mini-empire’s locations will have beer out the wazoo, no matter your style preference. Photo via Instagram / bighopsbitters
Little Rhein Prost Haus 231 S Alamo St, 210-890-2225, littlerheinprosthaus.com This new spot on the River Walk offers more than 20 draft beers — many imported directly from Munich or craft-brewed locally to purist German recipes. Liter bier steins abound, as well as beer sampler flights and the largest selection of schnapps in Texas. Photo via Instagram / littlerheinprosthaus
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 11255 Huebner Rd #212 @ I-10, (210) 696-5080
Stout House Stone Oak 18730 Stone Oak Parkway Ste #108, (​210) 239-5799 stouthouse.stoneoak
Alamo Beer Co. filed to reorganize and escape its debts. Credit: Instagram / alamobeerco
Freetail Brewing Company Multiple locations freetailbrewing.com While both Freetail locations offer an impressive lineup of draft beer — including special collaborations with other local breweries — only the Northside brewpub offers eats. The pizzas and shady outdoor patio are perfect accompaniments to a frosty, local brew. Photo courtesy of Freetail Brewing Co.
Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling 4834 Whirlwind Dr., (210) 339-2282, drinkrangercreek.com On top of having some of the best beer in the area, Ranger Creek also offers an impressive array of bourbons, if you’re in the mood for something a little stronger. Play it safe with a San Antonio Lager, or go for something less traditional like Love Struck Hefe and Red Headed Stranger. Photo via Instagram / rangercreek
Busted Sandal Brewing Company 7114 Oaklawn Dr., (210) 872-1486, bustedsandalbrewing.com Try a classic brew like the 210 Ale or venture out to La Chancla series for a taste of Hop Dong IPA. Take your time savoring a brew in house, then take some beer to go. Even better, dogs are welcome. Photo via Instagram / bustedsandalbrewing
Second Pitch Beer Co. 11935 Starcrest Dr., (210) 474-0234, secondpitchbeer.com This Northeast-side spot offers ample space for the new brewery’s 15-barrel system and 20-tap line in the tasting room. Try the honey blonde ale called Summer Lightning Ale, a Hometown Lager or an India Pale ale dubbed Meet in the Middle. Photo via Instagram / secondpitchbeercompany
The Hoppy Monk This taproom has an ample menu for both food and beer plus a popular Sunday brunch. The spacious outdoor seating area is ideal for a cold beer on a sunny afternoon. 1010 N Loop 1604 E, thehoppymonk.com. Credit: Photo via Instagram / s.a.foodie
Burleson Yard Beer Garden 430 Austin St., (210) 354-3001, facebook.com/BurlesonYard When Burleson Yard first opened, it made a splash on the scene with its huge array of activities such as a large play area for the kiddos, table tennis, hammocks, giant flat-screens and live music. As the name suggests, hopheads will be pleased with the large beer selection, and the frozen drinks tend to be a big hit as well. Photo via Instagram / urbanmamabexar
The Cove 606 W Cypress St, San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 227-2683, thecove.us The Cove has long been an outdoor haven for San Antonians, but a recent revamp to the patio area creates a more spacious layout to accommodate those looking to enjoy the weather. Be sure to check out the Texas bar, which offers nearly 50 Texas craft brews.Photo via Instagram / thecovesa
Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St., (210) 222-1521, beethovenmaennerchor.com Located in Southtown near Blue Star, the Beethoven Maennerchor halle is home to one of the oldest German singing societies in Texas. The property usually hosts some of the biggest outdoor Oktoberfest, Fiesta and First Friday bashes in town, complete with authentic German food and music, plus ah-mazing German bier. Photo via Instagram/ beethovensatx
The Friendly Spot Ice House 943 S Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com Southtown’s largest outdoor food and drink venue, The Friendly Spot has plenty of events to enjoy, as well as countless taps for frosty brews. Enjoy a sports event on their giant inflatable screen and weekend DJ with a cold, local beer in hand. Photo via Instagram / thefriendlyspot
Blue Star Brewing Co. 1414 S Alamo St., (210) 212-5506, bluestarbrewing.com Spending some time on the river? Biking around Southtown? Just be sure to pay Blue Star Brewing a visit for 100% organic beer. Have a pint of the Texican Lager, Raspberry Geyser or Flying Pig brew. Photo via Instagram / bluestarbrewco
The Dooryard 4503 De Zavala Rd., Ste. 108, thedooryardsa.com This northwest-side spot features 30 taps loaded with self-serve beers, seltzers and wines, allowing guests to sample a variety of beers without committing to a full pour. Expect a full food menu, outdoor seating for up to nine tables and a kids play area. Photo via Instagram / thedooryardsa
Islla Street Brewing 11911 Crosswinds Way, (210) 771-6532, isllastreetbrewing.com Known best for their innovative brews with unexpected ingredients — and their tendency to break the internet come pre-order day — the boys over at Islla Street Brewing are always cooking up something interesting. If small batch craft beer is your jam, stop by their North SA taproom for a 4 pack of one of their innovative sours or IPAs. Photo via Instagram / isllastreetbrewing
Real Ale Brewing Company 31 San Saba Ct., Blanco, (830) 833-2534, realalebrewing.com Tube your way down the Blanco River, then make your way over to Real Ale for some cold ones! Tours are offered on Fridays and Saturday, so your weekend won’t be complete without a pint of Lost Gold or Devil’s Backbone. Or both. Photo via Instagram / realalebrewing
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery 136 E. Grayson St. #120, (210) 455-5701, southerleigh.com Enjoy a chocolate stout infused with blackberries, a sake style brew or a kettle sour with a hint of cucumber. While all the names are interesting to say the least, our favorite it the THOT – “That Heirloom Over There.” You’re not fooling us, Southerleigh. Photo via Instagram / ruinationpress
Roadmap Brewing Co. 723 N. Alamo St., (210) 254-9962, roadmapbrewing.com Owners Hannah and Dustin Baker opened up Roadmap Brewing in September of 2018 and have been brewing non-stop ever since. Currently offering 13 brews on tap — from a double IPA to a maple bacon imperial stout — Roadmap has a little something for everyone. Photo via Instagram / roadmapbrewing
Dos Sirenos Brewing 231 E. Cevallos St., (210) 442-8138, dossirenosbrewing.com Producing brews in Southtown since 2019, Dos Sirenos boasts a large patio and outdoor space that’s social-distancing friendly for enjoying one of their brews, which include IPAs, stouts, lagers and ales. The sprawling patio is kid- and dog-friendly, as are the fresh-baked pretzels. Photo via Instagram / dossirenosbrewing
Black Laboratory Brewing 1602 E. Houston St., (210) 370-3442, blacklaboratorybrewing.com Owned and operated by two scientists with degrees in chemistry, microbiology and biochemistry, Black Laboratory has released some unique brews in their first year (Frankenstein-green sour blonde ale, anyone?). Make an afternoon of a visit to the taproom, sandwiched comfortably between Truth Pizzeria and The Farmer’s Butcher on SA’s east side. Photo via Instagram / blacklaboratorybrewing
Weathered Souls Brewing Co. 606 Embassy Oaks Ste. 500, (210) 274-6824, weatheredsouls.beer Weathered Souls Brewing has definitely been keeping busy during the pandemic, seemingly releasing something new every week. Swing by for a 4-pack to-go, or stay a while on the patio and enjoy a hearty meal from South BBQ, located inside. Photo via Instagram / weatheredsoulsbrewing
Künstler Brewing 302 E Lachapelle , (210) 688-4519, kuenstlerbrewing.com Kid- and pet-friendly, this South SA brewery features handcrafted beers such as stouts, ales, IPAs, ciders, and more on tap in the spacious brewpub’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Stop in daily for a flight of beers and a bite off their new lunch menu, featuring Texas twists on German favorites such as pork schnitzel, bratwurst and potato pancakes. Photo via Instagram / alsa1229
Cactus Land Brewing Company 368 County Rd 325, Adkins, (210) 414-2776, cactuslandbrewing.com This taproom is open the first and third weekends of the month to bring you fresh brews and fun eats, provided from local food trucks. It stays true to its name, using the prickly pear native to the land. Photo via Instagram, cactuslandbrewing