What’s in the name?
Hotel Emma’s tavern is named for the Sternewirth Privilege, which entitled employees of 19th-century breweries to free beer during the workday. Prohibition killed the tradition, except at Pearl Brewery, where workers frequented the taproom until the 1990s.
True story: in the 1950s, a “tight” worker was scolded by a Pearl Brewery manager for getting drunk at work. The worker replied. “Respectfully, sir, I did not get drunk on the job… I was right drunk when I got here!”
When Prohibition ended, Pearl was ready, thanks to the foresight and ingenuity of brewery leader Emma Koehler. Laden beer trucks rolled out of the brewery at exactly 12:01 a.m., December 5th, 1933.
Pearl has a rich history dating back to 1883 when the San Antonio Brewing Association (SABA) was formed. In 1887, the brewery found the product that would become their signature brew. Pearl beer gets its namesake from the brewmaster, who thought the foamy bubbles in the freshly poured glass of brew resembled sparkling pearls.