The San Antonio Beer Festival is set to commemorate its 20th anniversary by returning to its original venue at Hemisfair on October 18, 2023. This year’s festival will embrace an Oktoberfest theme, paying homage to the historical German community that once inhabited the Hemisfair grounds.

Festival Highlights

• German-inspired culinary delights
• A steinholding competition
• Live musical performances
• Over 300 different beer varieties

A Homecoming Celebration

“The significance of the new location is it’s kind of a homecoming since we haven’t been to Hemisfair since 2013,” stated event organizer Cassandra Wagner. Wagner noted that the festival had been hosted at various parks, most recently at Crockett Park, making the return to Hemisfair particularly exciting.

Attendance Expectations

Historically, the San Antonio Beer Festival has attracted between 5,000 to 7,000 participants annually, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions. Wagner anticipates a similar turnout for this year, estimating approximately 6,000 to 7,000 attendees at the rejuvenating event.

Community Commitment

A portion of the festival’s proceeds will contribute to the San Antonio Food Bank, reflecting a strong commitment to community support. “Between cash and media, we’ve been able to donate about $40,000 to the festival for each of the past five years,” Wagner added, emphasizing the festival’s enduring partnership with the food bank.