What does St. Louis tend to be known for? The World Series winning Cardinals? The lackluster Rams? Nope folks, it’s ‘da beer!

From our time old tradition of the Busch, Lemp, and returning champ Griesedieck to the newer hops houses of Sixth Row Brewery and chain Granite City Brewery, we have a lot of hops houses to hop to this fall and winter!

I have a few prerequisites of my idea of a good brewery. Here’s my list:
• There has to be a good mix of pale ale, stout, and a good hefeweizen on the list. No hefeweizen equals no more money spent by me.
• If there isn’t a flight or sampling menu, you call yourself a brewery? I want to try more than just one type and I don’t necessarily want to get drunk every time I go out.
• If you can’t go seasonal, I will go home! Beer should change with the season just like foods and wines do, so get with the trend.
• Pairing is a plus. I do need help knowing what food goes best with what entree.
• And speaking of entree, you better have something more than popcorn, burgers, and beer nuts. If I wanted those to eat, I would go to the dive bar on the corner, not schlep across the metro area to go to your brewery.
• The menu should be diverse but doesn’t have to be terribly extensive. With that said, you do need to have more than a couple of sandwiches on the menu. Get the idea? Balance in beer, balance in menu.
• I still say Schlafly’s rocks on all the above categories. Sixth Row Brewing Company-good beer, flights available, good roast beef sandwich, but not many choices on the menu. Granite City- Ok beer, overly extensive menu- probably the result of ‘chaining’ themselves.

I think we will need to make it a priority to hit at least one new brew house a week on date nights so that we can try more of them out! What is your favorite and where do you think I should spend my hard earned beer money?

Happy Holidays and happy drinking!

Sixth Row Brewing Company

3690 Forest Park Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-531-5600

 

Granite City Food and Brewery

West Oaks Shopping Center
11411 Olive Blvd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314.432.3535

 

Photo courtesy of lynnewithane.com

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