Freetail Brewing co-founder leaving his beer business

Scott Metzger, co-founder of Freetail Brewing Co. in San Antonio, announced last week that he has parted ways with the beer operation that he started in 2008. Scott Metzger, co-founder of Freetail Brewing Co. in San Antonio, announced last week that he has parted ways with the beer operation that he started in 2008. Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Freetail Brewing co-founder leaving his beer business 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

The co-founder of a pioneering San Antonio beer operation is leaving his role with the company.

Scott Metzger announced on social media that he has parted ways with Freetail Brewing Co. “after an amazing 10 years, working with some of the best and brightest folks I’ve ever known.”

Metzger started Freetail in 2008 with founding brewer Jason Davis, and in 2016 formed a partnership with the Turner family to distribute and expand the presence of the beer throughout Texas. Metzger was a loud advocate for changes in the craft beer industry, working with Texas lawmakers on bills that allowed the consumption and sales of beer made on-site.

Metzger posted on Twitter: “I’ll never have an ill word to say about the company I started with $50K and skepticism from everyone I talked to ... because I don’t have any ill words to say. I was part of creating a beautiful thing, and I’m proud of that and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow.”

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Freetail started with a brewpub facility at 4035 N. Loop 1604, just off Northwest Military Highway, and in 2014 a larger second brewery location with a tasting room opened at 2000 S. Presa St.

It brews five core beers that are widely distributed, including the Bat Outta Helles German style lager, as well as a lineup of canned and kegged seasonal beers that are in constant rotation.

Davis, and the remaining Freetail staff, will continue brewing on.

Freetail Brewing Co. BrewPub, 4035 N. Loop 1604, 210-625-6000, Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Mondays through Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays. Online: freetailbrewing.com

Freetail Brewing Co. Tasting Room, 2000 S. Presa St., 210-625-6000, Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Facebook: freetailbrewing

Chuck Blount is a food writer and columnist covering all things grilled and smoked in the San Antonio area. Find his Chuck's Food Shack columns on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com, or read his other coverage on our free site, mySA.com. | cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver