local brews
As warmer weather approaches and baseball season gets underway, there is no doubt that a lot of beer will be consumed in the St. Louis region! For all of the great history here, beer has been there every step of the way. The pre Prohibition powerhouses of Anheuser-Busch and Lemp Brewery put their mark on this city, but today, a new wave of breweries is making its mark on St. Louis history.
quick facts
» The St. Louis beer obsession began in the mid-1800s as many German immigrants moved to the city.
» German brewers introduced lager, a style of beer not well known in the U.S. at the time. Eberhard Anheuser purchased a stake in Bavarian Brewery, buying out the remaining investors by 1860. He brought aboard his son-in law Adolphus Busch as partner, and the brewery became known as Anheuser–Busch.
» Before refrigeration, beer was kept cold in the city’s elaborate cave system.
» The two most well-known breweries before Prohibition were Lemp Brewery and Anheuser-Busch. Lemp, along with many others, could not outlast Prohibition, but A-B found a creative way to survive.
» Schlafly Brewery opened in 1991, making way for the new craft beer movement. 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Urban Chestnut opened in 2011 and took the local beer scene to new levels.
recommendations
» Schlafly pale ale: Crisp and refreshing on a hot summer night
» 4 Hands single speed American blonde ale: Smooth and crisp with underlying fruit and floral favors
» Urban Chestnut zwickel: One of my all-time favorite St. Louis beers, it’s easy to drink with well-rounded flavors of yeast and grain and just the right amount of bitterness on the finish.
brewery tours
» Anheuser-Busch Brewery – The history and architecture alone will make even the most dedicated craft beer drinkers have a good time. There are a couple of different options, but the Brewmaster Tour is my favorite. There are always signature Clydesdales on brewery grounds; plus, you sample a beer straight out of the tank.
» 4 Hands Brewing Co. – 4 Hands in the LaSalle Park neighborhood paved its way by making great beer and doing things differently. Take a tour or just head to the tasting room. Its brews feature some of the coolest beer can art around.
» Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. – Urban Chestnut found its niche by producing German-style beers, fitting in perfectly to the local beer scene. Tour the Grove Brewery & Bierhall and then visit The U.R.B. (Urban Research Brewery) right across the street, where you can enjoy samples of new and upcoming beers with pizza! The Midtown location’s patio is great for meeting friends.
» Or, try a few at a time with Brewery Tours of St. Louis, a luxury bus tour to four local craft breweries. Meet local brewers, try samples and bring your purchases on the bus to enjoy!
