brew news
Major Brands, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. have joined forces to give back to the community. Beer 4 Good is a blend of two ales, Urban Chestnut’s English Barleywine and 4 Hands’ Imperial Milk Stout, that has been aged for more than a year in a custom Makers Mark 46 barrel. The limited edition brew benefits local nonprofit Mission: St. Louis. … Schlafly Beer has released a new alternative to hard seltzers. At only 90 calories, Boomerang Mead Spritzer is made with honey and natural citrus flavors. It’s the first mead spritzer to be made in St. Louis.

chao down
Now, diners can sip on something special at Chao Baan, the modern Thai restaurant that opened in The Grove this summer. It recently unveiled a new cocktail menu developed by beverage director Lindsey MacTaggart. The drinks are designed to complement the authentic, regional dishes on the menu and incorporate Thai flavors and ingredients like chili and tamarind.

a warm welcome
Cinder House has a new chef de cuisine! Born and raised on a farm in Princeville, Illinois, Josh Adams is a James Beard Award semifinalist and was recognized as Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Chef in 2013. Previously, he had opened his own restaurant, June, in Illinois, which was named the best new restaurant in the Midwest by The Wall Street Journal.

a little saucy
Halo + Cleaver, a locally based company focused on creating flavorful, healthy sauces and seasonings, is expanding its reach locally by bringing three of its low-calorie, all-natural sauces to Dierbergs and Schnucks: Mother Nature’s Perfect Ketchup, Smokehouse Red BBQ Sauce and Pure Gold BBQ Sauce. Halo + Cleaver products also are available in area Supplement Superstores.

opens & closes
Looking for sweet treats without gluten? Head to Britt’s Bakehouse, now open at 137 W. Jefferson Ave. in Kirkwood. Owner Britt Royal is a lifelong baker who was diagnosed as gluten intolerant in 2009 and spent the past decade perfecting her gluten-free recipes … Music lovers and foodies alike will want to head to The Grove to check out Takashima Records on Chouteau Avenue (right between Chao Baan and Seoul Taco). The cocktail lounge and record label also will house Izumi, an eatery that focuses on Japanese bar food. … After more than 18 years of bringing pan-Latin cuisine to Maplewood, Maya Cafe has closed its doors. Owner Jay Schober decided that at 73, he was ready to retire.

Halo + Cleaver Pure Gold BBQ Sauce
Josh Adams