Visit to St. Louis

Beer for the most part sucks owner/brewer is a douche of the highest order

 

but if time is limited there are much better options

 

I take exception to recommendations on skipping UCBC, The Civil Life or Schlafly. If all you want are sour beers or high ABV stouts, then yes, don't waste your time by going to these 3 locations. However, if you want great food, great people, and finely crafted beers, do yourself a favor and go.

I personally am not a fan of the Bottleworks, but the Tap Room has a really nice menu, and often, inventive beers you will not see anywhere else.

UCBC makes a lot of great authentic german styles as well as more adventurous beers of all styles at both locations. The Grove location is amazing and has tremendous food options.

The Civil Life may be the best crafted beer in St Louis. Their food is a little more conservative than other pubs, but it's still great, and you can't beat the atmosphere. If you doubt the quality of the beer ask Phil Wymore of Perennial or Cory King of Side Project where they go to relax and enjoy a pint. I bet you a GABF gold medal winning Rye Pale that they will say the Civil Life.

 

I would implore you to read the poster's question. He said he only has a day and a half and was wondering if there should be anything he should skip. Given the time constraints he has, several people provided what we felt were good recommendations without ANY information about style preferences or venues.

Side Project and Perennial or Urban Chestnut and Schlafly.... hmmmmmmmmmm?????? I'd say that's a no brainer.

 

You're out there in the suburbs so there is nothing really close. I would say don't miss Side Project, it's on a whole other level than the rest. Perennial would be my second choice.

Neither are really kid friendly though, so maybe Shlafly and UCBC might be more for you. Great beer and no kids, or good beer and kids.

 

Nobody is saying their beer is bad (except UCBC I really dont care for their beer) its made well but does not fit my tastes.

Personally I find it boring to the rest of the brew being made in STL. If you are traveling you want to try the most interesting stuff you cant get at home. SP, Perennial, and 4 hands fit that perfectly.

Like @Brewhead55 said if your choice is between SP and Peren or UCBC and Schafly its an easy decision.

 

Side Project is an offshoot of Perennial. It is the head brewer, Cory King's, own little "side project". They both offer different beers that push the limits of creativity and taste. You can't go wrong with either. He may have officially left but either way, their roots are the same. I would suggest the Side Project because there are board games and things. Call ahead to see if your kids are allowed. If so, there's entertainment! They will also have other unique beers, not brewed by them, available….including Perennial. This location is more of a tap room and not the actual brewery.
http://www.thesideprojectcellar.com

Schlafly Bottleworks is a block away so it would be very easy to hit both in a short amount of time. You can take the brewery tour if interested and the food it pretty good. Schlafly is the largest, non-big-dog, brewery in terms of production in St. Louis. It therefore has a fairly refined, mass-produced product. They also do some limited release and small cask brews so there's a chance you could get something different. I think the Tap Room is a cooler location, but it's the same brew right around the corner.

I also like Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery & Bierhall, contrary to many others. The food is fantastic and of course its a large open German Bierhall atmosphere. It is very social with long tables. Find a spot and squeeze in. I think they have good beer and if you go to Side Project, you will have already gotten your unique beer fix.
http://urbanchestnut.com/home/

There is also a restaurant called 5 Star Burgers in Kirkwood. They have fantastic food AND a fantastic assembly of St. Louis craft beers. You can bring the kids there and get really good food and taste all kinds of St. Louis products. Andy's Frozen Custard, right across the street is a great way to reward the kids for good behavior!
http://www.5starburgersstl.com
http://www.eatandys.com

 

I don't think calling side project an offshoot of perennial is very accurate, at all.

 

I sort of agree. I understand how @STLBrewers13 makes the connection but I dont 100% agree.

 

Personally, and most of my friends, would skip Perennial and Side Project before we'd skip UCBC, Schlafly and Civil Life. Nothing wrong with any of them, it just depends on if you like traditionally styled beers or whatever is the current hot thing out there. Clearly, Perennial and SP get all the hype, but all of them have their place.

 

Any visit to St.Louis must include a trip to Schlafly Tap Room. If you have time, take the 30 min drive to Alton and visit Old Bakery Brewery, and grab a bite and a pint at Elijah P's. Also, if you go to Alpha Brewing...make sure to ask for the "Best Beaver Brown Ale". It's always on tap, you just have to ask for it.

 

If you are in for the NCAA tournament go to flying saucer. Great beer selection on tap and you can walk from there to scott trade center

 

Reviving this thread for some advice. Driving through STL on my way to NYC. Should arrive June 4, which is a bummer because apparently Side Project Cellar is closed that day.

I'm planning to visit Perennial and considering all the other options mentioned above. I like traditional styles as much as I like all the wild stuff, so the real challenge is picking which of the spots to go to, as there are so many options.

Can anyone recommend a great restaurant, on the healthier side, with a good beer selection (maybe some Side Project since I'll be missing out)?

I'm staying in the suburbs near Town & Country but happy to drive anywhere since I will have a lot of free time on my hands.

Also, any cool cultural recommendations? I was in St. Louis to finish high school but that was 17 years ago. I used to go to The Loop a lot and the Art Museum. I suppose I could revisit, but would like to know if there's anything else worthwhile.

I appreciate any help.

 

How long will you be in STL? That will provide some guidance on the number of places you can realistically visit.

No restaurants in St. Louis serve Side Project unfortunately- but as far as recommendations go- Felix's in dogtown (good pizza and draft list), Heavy Riff (brewery with good food and excellent beer), Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar, Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (okay food but incredible beer selection).

Pretty much all of the breweries here now have good food- 4 hands, Urban Chestnut, Schlafly, Perennial, etc.

As far as cultural stuff- I'd say the art museum is still amazing- they just added on a major expansion that is stunning, also the Blues Museum (music not hockey), Laumiere Sculpture Park (out near the burbs), Zoo is always a classic (and free), and I hate to admit it, but the A-B tour is also fun.

Hope this helps!

 

Awesome!

Really appreciate the help. Just passing through on my way from New Mexico to New York. I will be driving from Tulsa, which appears to be about a 6 hour drive.

I was searching BA and discovered Mother's Brewing in Springfield, so I may try to stop and grab lunch in Springfield and then visit that brewery. Problem is, it doesn't open until 1PM and then I'd have a 3 hour drive to STL still. Which all means that I can, possibly, visit one cultural deal, grab food at one of the places or breweries you mentioned and visit Perennial. This will all be on a Saturday.

Sunday, I'd probably just find a good coffee shop and hit the road (Indianapolis for lunch, Columbus afterward).

Appreciate your advice. Happy to hear others chime in, but I think you covered all the bases.

 

Buddys taking me to Modern, any thoughts on what to get there?

 

Happy to help! I don't think Mother's is worth stopping at. You'll be better off trying to get to an extra brewery or two in STL, but obviously your call...

As far as breweries (aside from Perennial), In order, I'd say put 4 hands at the top of your list. If you hit up Schlafly, you can also go to modern brewery as they are literally about 5 minutes apart.

Sorry you cant make it to side project cellar- that's a tough break as they are usually open, but will be closed due to FW Beer Festival.

Have fun!

 

Hmm. What's the issue with Mother's? Beer's not that good? Bad environment? Just curious.

 

Beer is meh IMO. I'm sure some people like it- MILF is an okay beer, but comparatively speaking- you're better off spending more time in STL.

 

Mother's is one of the best breweries I've been to in Missouri. They may not have the social scene, but their beers are fantastic (especially the limited release stuff i.e, Raspberry Imperial Three Blind Mice & MILF), and you don't usually have to fight a crowd. If you stop at Mother's, I'd recommend trying London Burning, Holy Mole, Blush, Rated R (if it's still available), and maybe one or two more.