Viva Fiesta in Gruene!

It’s mid-April in South Texas, and to San Antonio and the surrounding areas, that means one very important thing – Fiesta! While the week-long tradition in downtown San Antonio has different meanings to different people, the one common thread is that it offers citizens an excuse to gorge on delicious Tex-Mex classics, celebrate San Antonio’s rich heritage, and most of all, party for a whole week!

1891 marked the first year of Fiesta when a group of citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto with the 1^st Annual Battle of Flowers parade. Since that first parade, the celebration has expanded to include three different parades, multiple members-only organizations, parties and festivals.

While New Braunfels and Gruene are both 30 miles north of the party’s center, aspects of the San Antonio celebration still affect parts of life in Gruene. Here’s how:


The crowds at NIOSA

A long-time favorite of many San Antonians is NIOSA, or Night in Old San Antonio, which will be held from April 23^rd to 26^th.  Since its inaugural year in 1948, NIOSA has grown into a mammoth Fiesta event orchestrated by over 16,000 volunteers who stage and man the annual four-night enterprise each April. The historic, downtown village of La Villita takes center stage as 85,000 visitors now come through the gates during NIOSA.

Cooking Anticuchos at NIOSA

Between Shypoke Eggs (a large chip with white and yellow cheeses melted on top to resemble an egg), puffy tacos, beer and fried jalepeos, everyone has their favorite booth at NIOSA. It just so happens that the owner of Mozie’s in Gruene and Josephine Street Café in San Antonio, Pat Molak’s, favorite Fiesta food were the Antichuchos, the marinated steak shish-k-bobs, he got once a year during Fiesta. 

Volunteers at NIOSA sell more than 18,000 of these formerly NIOSA-exclusive treats each year, and finally, Molak decided it was time people got to experience Anticuchos year round, instead of just during the week of Fiesta. Since their introduction on the menu, the Anticuchos have been a hit. Now available as an appetizer served with chips and creamy avocado ranch dip, or on top of chipotle pasta at Mozie’s, the perfectly marinated Anticuchos are a popular choice at both restaurants.

So whether you’re reminiscing during the non-Fiesta months, or celebrating from afar, we invite you to come in and try a bite of San Antonio history!

Top 5 Outdoor Activities!

Spring is here, and for Texans, that means spending as much time outdoors as possible before the weather gets unbearably HOT! We've rounded up the 5 best outdoor activities for spring - enjoy!


1. Wine Tasting at The Grapevine
Three free samples of wine or craft beers – need we say more? Well, there is more. Not only does The Grapevine offer free samples of wines and craft brews daily, but they also offer the ideal outdoor setting to relax and enjoy a bottle or pint once you find your favorite. Whether you relax on the front porch and watch the buzzing streets of Gruene or grab a seat at our wine barrel tables in the garden, you can’t beat the scenery. The Grapevine now has live music from 3 to 6pm each Saturday in the garden, so you can have your music, and drink your wine too. :)

2. Picnic on the Guadalupe
There’s no better way to appreciate the great outdoors than to grab a picnic basket, quilt and bottle of wine and head down to the river for a lunch al-fresco. What to pack for the picnic? Try the Chicken Salad from Mozie’s. It’s so delicious that you can eat it by itself, but it’s also great on a sandwich – perfect for a picnic! You can call it in, or give it a whirl yourself, here’s the recipe:

Mozie’s Chicken Salad
Makes enough for 10-15 people depending on serving size
4 lbs. Chicken Breast, cooked and diced
3 Hardboiled Eggs, chopped
2 Cups Diced Celery Stalks
2 Cups Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Coarse Black Pepper
4 Tbsp Dill Relish
1 Tsp Salt
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Goes well on a sandwich, or as a snack with crackers.

3. Dine at the Gristmill
Whether you’re waiting for your table in the beer garden with a Perfect Patron Margarita and live music, or already seated with friends overlooking the Guadalupe River on a beautiful spring day, the Gristmill River Restaurant& Bar offers the best food in the best setting in Central Texas. From a light Spinach Salad to fresh trout or a filling chicken fried steak with onion rings, the menu is as expansive as the restaurant. Once housed in the ruins of an old cotton gin, the Gristmill has expanded over the years to a multi-level restaurant that caters to all tastes in the nine different seating areas.


4. Do the Doggie Dip
Spring temps may not be warm enough for you to venture into the cold water, but chances are it will be just perfect for your furry friend. Grab your closest canine companion and let him jump in! Landa Park in New Braunfels is even having a Doggie Dip Day at their Aquatic Complex on Saturday, April 27^th.  Hey, dogs love the spring weather, too!! 

5. Enjoy the Flowers
From bluebonnets lining the highways to the planters full of bright orange Snap Dragons outside Gruene Hall or freshly bloomed Mountain Laurels, the flowers around Texas in the spring time urge people all over the state to venture outdoors and “smell the roses.” Gruene takes great pride in the keeping up with the Jones’ when it comes to landscaping – from our No Parking signs to storefronts, we want everything to look as fresh as a daisy! Whether you need the perfect spot for a photo session or just want to enjoy the aromas of spring blooms, Gruene is the color of spring!

Hoppy Easter!

There are plenty of reasons to be in Gruene leading up to and during Easter weekend...

 Get a head start on your holiday décor with a trip to Lone Star. Not only do they have perfect basket stuffers for the Easter Bunny to pick up, they also have a multitude of home decorations that will be sure to impress your guests. For fun Easter recipes or DIY projects, visit Gruene’s “Celebrate the Seasons” Pinterest board.

Not only do we have plenty of Easter shopping around town, but we also have live music all weekend, which is the perfect way to entertain family and friends. Spend your Good Friday afternoon at the Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall. KNBT will broadcast live, and they will also have Aaron Watson in house for an interview before his show later that night. Prizes for the March 29^th FAC will include a $25 Mozie’s gift certificate, a $30 Cantina del Rio gift certificate, a $25 gift certificate to Cotton Eyed Joes, a $25 gift certificate to The Grapevine, 2 tickets to the Aaron Watson show, 2 tickets to see Junior Brown and more!

Live music through the weekend continues with a free show from Flat Top Jones from 1pm to 5pm Saturday, Junior Brown Saturday night, Slim Bawb from 12:30pm to 4:30pm Sunday, and Susan Gibson from 5pm to 9pm Sunday evening.

There will also be live music from Dan McCoy in the garden at The Grapevine from 3pm to 6pm Saturday. With their new addition of craft brews on tap, you can really have a Hoppy Easter!

Last, but definitely not least, The Gristmill, Mozie’s and Cantina del Rio all have Easter specials on Sunday, March 31^st.
 

Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar  1287 Gruene Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 606-1287, GristmillRestaurant.com; Open daily at 11am.

Off-menu lunch special - Pulled Pork Sandwich! Marinated pulled pork on choice of bread and topped with fresh slaw and a vinegar barbeque sauce. Served with chips or onion rings and a side of sauce ($10.99). Available 11am – 4pm.

 

Cantina del Rio 1299 Gruene Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 515-1950, CantinaInGruene.com; Open daily at 11am.

Have the perfect Mexican Easter dinner with delicious pork tacos! Grilled diced pork, red onions, cilantro and lime on your choice of fresh flour or homemade corn tortillas served a la carte (just $2.75 each). For a heartier meal, have two tacos with a side of rice and beans.

 Mozie’s 1601 Hunter Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 515-1281, MoziesBarAndGrill.com; Open daily at 11am.

Featuring the new off-menu special, Panko Parmesan Chicken! Juicy, marinated chicken breast rolled in our special mixture of panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese, fried to perfection and served with angel hair pasta tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce with red peppers, fresh spinach and tomatoes ($8.99).

Spring Break - Texas Style!

Still searching for the perfect spring break plans? Gruene Historic District offers an eventful Texas getaway – no airline reservations required! With a week full live music every day at Gruene Hall and events that cater to everyone, Gruene makes the perfect close-to-home vacation. From rockin’ with Ryan Bingham to floating the Guadalupe, Gruene is the place to be!

Every Friday from March through October for fifteen years, the Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall has helped start the weekend the right way with a happy hour & prize giveaways, but the focal point of this popular meet up for locals and visitors features Texas tunes broadcasted on-site live by KNBT 92.1FM Radio New Braunfels from 4-7 p.m!  Bart Crow will be an on-air guest before his show on Friday, March 8^th.

Kick off the break with musical legends, Texas Tornados, at Gruene Hall on Saturday, March 9^th. With hits like “A Little Bit is Better Than Nada” and “Hey Baby Que Paso,” the ultimate Tex-Mex super group is back! The Texas Tornados with their infectious, party-ready sound, blending early rock & roll, Mexican folk music, R&B, blues and whatever other roots music crosses their paths are going to rock the legendary stage of the Hall.

The second Sunday of the month means the Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist at Gruene Hall. Scheduled for Sunday, March 10^th from 10:30-noon, The Gospel Brunch features live music from Austin Gospel group, The Gospel Silvertones, coupled with a mouth-watering buffet catered by Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar. After the Hall has regrouped from brunch, country artist Bret Graham will take the stage from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., shortly followed by The Whiskey Sisters CD Release at 5 p.m. – both are free shows.

 

 

 

Visitors can opt to take it easy on any day of the week with a leisurely float down the Guadalupe with Rockin’ R River Rides or a casual day of shopping at a few of Gruene’s diverse shops. Gruene Antique Company offers unique finds from thirty different independent dealers, while Lone Star has an eclectic blend of Texas gifts and accessories. For a little lunch break or an ice cold drink, Mozie’s offers a full bar along with a variety of delicious classics such as a ‘50s style charbroiled burger and Cantina Del Rio boasts some of the best burgers, Tex-Mex food and margaritas in town. Gruene Hall has live music every night of the week.

Wednesday, March 13^th marks the long awaited return of Ryan Bingham to the Gruene Hall stage. By the time Bingham came to Gruene Hall in 2005, he was already a veteran at heart. At 24 years old, the kid from Hobbs, New Mexico had already traveled the world and soaked up enough song writing material for a lifetime. Bingham played four-hour gigs in the front room of Gruene Hall and wanted more. Now an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy winner, he is an artist to see in the intimate setting of the Hall. The show is sold out, so we hope you have your tickets…

On Friday, March 15^th, Roger Creager will stop by the Friday Afternoon Club before he takes the stage for his Texas Fiesta. For more than a decade, Creager has built a reputation on his distinctive brand of rousing Texas Country music based on his rich, full-bodied voice that can carry a tune for miles. Creager is playing both Friday and Saturday nights, and tickets are $25.00 apiece. Arrive when doors open for a special acoustic set as well as fun times and games with Roger!

Before you head over to the Hall on Saturday afternoon, make sure you stop by The Grapevine to sample a few favorite Texas wines and, new this year, craft beers on tap. Offering up to three complimentary samples daily, the Texas tasting room offers a large selection of wines from all over Texas, so they bring the wine tasting tours to you in one convenient place! Enjoy your wine or beer on the front porch, the patio or out in the garden to the tune of live music on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. with Bret Graham.

On the way out of town Sunday, make sure to stop by Old Gruene Market Days, which features nearly one hundred vendors offering a wide variety of unique items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. The Market is open both Saturday and Sunday, March 15^th and 16^th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on Gruene Historic District, please visit http://www.gruenetexas.com.

Introducing...Craft Beer at The Grapevine!

In honor of The Grapevine's new craft beers on tap, we thought we would enlighten everyone on what goes through the mind of a craft brewer. We interviewed Brad Farbstein, owner and brewer at Real Ale Brewing Comany to find out how he got interested in the business, what his favorite beers are and the real difference between microbrews and mass produced beer...

How did you get so interested in brewing?

I played Lacrosse for the University of Texas at Austin and one of my teammates was a home brewer.  One afternoon, after practice he invited me to his house to brew up a batch of homebrew.   From that point on, I was hooked and continued to homebrew in college over the next 4 years.  After graduating, I did like most UT grads and I worked as a waiter and a bartender in Austin for a couple of years while I continued to refine my skills as a home brewer.  After two years in the service industry I decided that I wanted to open a microbrewery, but lacked the experience and the money to get started.  I approached by parents about my new found destiny and my parents were encouraging about me following my passion and dreams, my dad's only advice was to go and work for another established brewery for a while and "learn on someone else's dime ".  I thought this was great advice and started to harass the guys who opened up Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston to give me a job, of any kind.  After six months of courting I was finally offered a marketing and sales position with Saint Arnold based in the Austin market.  I worked for them for about 1  1/2 years until I was hired away by a small craft beer distributor in Austin by the name of Microbility Beverage.  Microbility represented a lot of Texas Craft Brewers at the time as well had some Colorado craft products and some imported beers.  One of my favorite brands that Microbility carried was Real Ale from Blanco, under the management of the previous owner. Phillip and Diane Conner.  I would work during the week at Microbility selling the entire portfolio and on the weekend I would go out to Real Ale to help Phillip and his son Charles, brew, bottle and keg.  My passion was definitely more on the side of brewing than on the distribution side of the business.  One afternoon while I was at Microbility I got a call from Phillip, he informed me that they were going to be selling the brewery and he wanted to see if I could help them  find someone interested in the purchase,  I immediately responded that " I was his man".  He quickly responded that I did not have any money, but seeing that there was interest, Phillip worked with me to find a way for me to ultimately take over the business from him and his family.  That was back in the summer of 1998, two years after the opening of the brewery by the Conners.

Most people are rather ignorant when it comes to beer drinking, and knowing what a great beer is. What are the qualities you aim for when making beer?
Beer is 92% water and so the first thing is starting with high quality water.  The Conner's originally picked Blanco for two reasons, first high quality water which is drawn from the Blanco River and a low cost of commercial rental space.  So water is extremely important as well as starting with high quality ingredients, since there are only four ingredients in beer (water, barley, hops and yeast) you need to ensure you are starting off with the best.  In addition, consistency is extremely important in order to maintain your customer base.

In your opinion, what is the key difference between mass-produced beer and microbrews?
Love and passion….now the reality is that both are well made beers.  The big boys mainly focus on the lighter style lagers and the majority of craft brewers focus on more flavorful ales.  That being said a lot of us still make lagers but most of our beers are full of malt flavor and hop character, which is significantly different from the mass-produced beers

Of all the beers you craft, which is your favorite? Why?
They are like children to me so picking a favorite is difficult to do.  For me, my preference changes based on what I am doing and eating.  

If I am sitting around and mowing the yard or hanging out with some friends I am likely to drink :
Firemans # 4
Rio Blanco Pale Ale
Hans Pils

If I am eating I am more likely to open up :

Full Moon Pale Rye Ale
Lost Gold IPA
Brewhouse Brown
Devil's Backbone

Fireman’s 4 has become a widely popular beer – how has this effected the brewery?
Firemans #4 allows the brewery to venture off into the more esoteric beer styles that we make such as the Mysterium Verum line of barrel aged beers (http://realalebrewing.com/beers/mysterium ) or brewer's cut (http://brewerscut.com).  That being said I think it also is a great beer on it's own,  I think we were able to balance the malt and hop profile to make an interesting beer that appeals to a larger audience.  Firemans makes up about 60% of all of our production, so it is a very important part of our business.  It is also the reason that we installed a can line last summer, so that we could offer our customers a can option to take places where a glass bottle is not the appropriate package style.  (beach, pool, golf course, sporting events, live concerts, etc )

 

Come & Taste It on Thursday, February 21st from 5-8 p.m. Not only will a rep from Real Ale Brewing Co. be there offering samples, but we will also have Texas Hills Vineyard there - you don't want to miss it!

Love is in the Air in Gruene!

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and Gruene is ready! Are you?

 

Shop! In the Name of Love...

 

To celebrate the month of love, we’ve introduced the Lone Star Lovers Valentine’s Countdown. For each of the first 14 days of February, enjoy a special treat! It’s like an advent calendar, but better. Be sure to check Facebook to get the daily deal.

Today (February 5^th) is the Sweetheart Special – 10% off anything in store with a heart on it!

 

And we’ll give you a hint – tomorrow’s special starts with a “T” – any guesses?

Then, head over to The Grapevine for great gifts for your wine-loving gal pal or spouse. Or, if you’re spending Valentine’s Day solo, you might need a glass (or bottle) of wine to get you through all the cheesy romance.

 

Eat Your Heart Out

Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner fireside at The Gristmill or a margarita and sizzlin' fajitas for two, we have something for everyone during the most romantic time of the year.

Gristmill RiverRestaurant & Bar (Special Available February 14th thru 17th)

1287 Gruene Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 606-1287, GristmillRestaurant.com; Open daily at 11am.

A tender and juicy 8 ounce New York Strip accompanied by the Gristmill’s award winning bacon-wrapped stuffed Texas gulf jumbo shrimp. Served with loaded mashed potatoes and served with an iceberg wedge salad ($23.49). Don’t forget dessert…Indulge yourself with a most decadent favorite…Ultimate Turtle Cheesecake, creamy cheesecake with rich fudge, topped with caramel, pecans, chocolate chips and whipped cream. Served with two spoons, just the right ending to a truly romantic meal. Available Thursday through Sunday.

Cantina del Rio (Special Available February 13th thru 17th)

1299 Gruene Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 515-1950, CantinaInGruene.com; Open daily at 11am.

Featuring a Sizzlin’ Valentine’s Special all weekend with happy hour prices and $1 off tender chicken or beef fajitas marinated in our special fresh squeezed lime marinade, served with beans, rice, real guacamole, fresh pico and your choice of fresh flour or homemade corn tortillas. $8.95 for one or $17.95 for you and your sweetie. Enjoy a frozen margarita or sangria (for just $3) or an ice cold beer ($2.50-$3.75) on our relaxing deck tucked into the trees of Gruene Historic District. Available Thursday thru Sunday.

Mozie’s (Special Available February 14th thru 17th)

1601 Hunter Rd., Gruene Historic District at New Braunfels, (830) 515-1281, MoziesBarAndGrill.com; Open daily at 11am.

Steak! Specials include a succulent 6 ounce filet and a 16 ounce porterhouse T-bone. Both flat top grilled, covered in Hoffbrau lemon butter and served with a bleu cheese wedge salad and a choice of side ($28.99). To “sweeten” your dining experience, try specialty martinis, including Strawberry Cheesecake, Godiva Chocolate or Key Lime Pie! Available Thursday through Sunday.

Swing with your Sweetheart

After you’ve had your fill of dinner and shopping, head over to the dance hall for a free concert and dance featuring Rodney Hayden Band. What better way to spend the evening than in Texas’ Oldest Dancehall?

 

January No Cover Shows at Gruene Hall!

Did you spend all your extra cash on Christmas presents and traveling? Well, don’t sink into the New Year at home just yet…. Gruene Hall has 37 no cover shows! That’s right!! Enjoy 37 shows for free in just the month of January. YES, we are pretty sure that’s more shows than days in the month! J Put on your rain boots, snow boots or dancing boots…because we all know how the weather in Texas is, and join us at the oldest dance hall in Texas! Gruene Hall.

Bret Graham, a long time Gruene Hall favorite, will be joining us for more than two Monday evenings.  Alone on stage with just a guitar and harmonica, this local musician can win over any crowd. And don’t miss the Tuesday night song swaps. A great group of singer/songwriters will take ya back in time. Some seen in 2012 on Tuesday nights included Tom Gilliam, Jess Klein, Ed Jurdi and more. Warren Hood & the Champeens will fill up Wednesday nights this month with their Texas swing tunes! And with different singer/songwriters on Thursday through Sundays this month expect surprises! 

Get your boots on and come on down to Gruene!