FOR THE SEASON
A lot of the appeal of our small Burg has to do with its plentiful bluebonnets, peaches, wine and beer.
Many people make our town their home away from home with extended stays in one of our 1,000-plus B&Bs or guest houses.
Fredericksburg draws more than 1.5 million visitors each year. Some come because we’re an agricultural and viticultural destination, while others come for our beautiful outdoor attractions and numerous celebrations hosted in our city and county.
As an agricultural and viticultural destination, Fredericksburg businesses have flourished. That includes, of course, the grapes one might enjoy while visiting a vineyard or winery. But the hordes of visitors began with the roadside peach stands that can still be found today, with thousands seeking those sweet and juicy treasures that come from our peach farmers.
Hunters also have come to the Hill Country for decades to harvest deer in what is a multi-generational tradition for many Texas families.
B&Bs began in the late 1970s.
Shopping, the beautiful outdoors, music and festivals reflecting local culture drove even more people to Fredericksburg as the years progressed. We want this magazine, which began publishing in 1978, to reflect most all of what makes Fredericksburg special.
We’re pleased that our efforts have been recognized by the Texas Press Association on multiple occasions. Our company’s sister magazine, Rock & Vine, explores more of what the Hill Country region has to offer.
A SIP OF LOCAL HISTORY
Fredericksburg has been a “wet” city, not for the rain that falls, but of the German spirit where suds and good times went together naturally.
Our wine industry is booming now.
But before Prohibition hit Texas in 1918, Fredericksburg had three breweries.
Captain Charles Nimitz, the grandfather of our World War II hero, Admiral Chester Nimitz, ran the Nimitz Hotel. It had a copper-tank brewery in the basement, but supply shortages during the Civil War forced him to close it in 1861.
Frederick Probst paired up with Dr.
Adolph Assig to brew at a property at 310 West Austin Street which had a brewery with three cellars where they made a popular weissbier. Assig later moved to Blanco, but Probst continued to serve local patrons.
John Knopp opened a saloon at the corner of Main and Milam streets and began to import cheaper beer from San Antonio (5 cents a glass, versus 10 for the Probst brew). Frugal Germans made their choice and Probst closed his brewery in 1895.
Henry Warner and John Mauer owned a brewery in Marlin, but located here in 1875. They operated a lager beer brewery in the 400 block of East Creek Street for nine years.
It’s believed Warner died in 1877 and Mauer likely headed west to El Paso.
Today, Fredericksburg boasts operations ranging from the castlelike Altstadt Brewery, which is an amazing place to visit, to Main Street’s Fredericksburg Brewing Company, which has tasty brews and was one of the fathers of the current craft beer boom.
Don’t forget about the June 8 Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival, the third annual event that helps out local charities. Plan a return trip and join us in a toast.
For those of us who enjoy the suds, we’re glad this is a “wet” town. Prost!
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