St. Louis craft beer is getting noticed beyond the Show-Me State. The U.S. OPEN BEER CHAMPIONSHIP, held in Atlanta, awarded KRAFTIG’s lager and lager light gold medals in their respective categories, and also gave the top prize to MORGAN STREET’s Black Bear dark lager.
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Natural food store LUCKY’S MARKET has chosen Ellisville for its first St. Louis location (there’s already one in Columbia). Opening July 30, this will be the seventh store for the national chain, which was founded in Colorado and specializes in local, organic and sustainably raised food. The launch includes a bacon-cutting ceremony and donation of $5,000 each to Wildwood YMCA and Assistance League of St. Louis. A grand opening party Aug. 2 includes live music, free caricature drawings and $1 bratwursts, hot dogs and beverages. On Aug. 3, local food vendors will offer samples.
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Products from Missouri company NAKED BACON can now be found in area Schnucks, as well as the Tower Grove and Clayton farmers markets. The company’s moniker refers to the fact that its bacon lacks nitrates, nitrites and phosphates.
+After his stint as executive chef at The Crow’s Nest and his time on the line at Cleveland-Heath, JIMMY HIPPCHEN takes over the kitchen at ERNESTO’S WINE WAR as executive chef.
+Welcome to THE PURPLE MARTIN, which opened this spring at 2800 Shenandoah Ave. It specializes in cocktails and North African fare, like Tunisian chickpea stew and tilapia.
+Happy birthday to the downtown RUTH’S CHRIS, now celebrating its five-year anniversary.
+GINA RHODES, winery manager at CEDAR LAKE CELLARS, earned her PreSomm certification from the Saint Louis School of Wine.
By Rebecca Koenig