In this type of blistering heat it may sound counterproductive to gorge on alcohol, but you have to admit that a smooth lager and beads of icy condensation running down a frosty pint glass sounds pretty great right about now. If so, you’re in luck. Next Saturday marks the gunshot start of the 2011 St. Louis Craft Beer Week. Actually, there’s no gunshot, but there is a lot of beer.
From July 30 to August 7, a handful of St. Louis-based brewers, restaurants, saloons, retailers and distributors will join forces to promote the best craft beer in the area. So, what’s on tap? Each night saloons such as Square One Brewery, Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar, 33 Wine Shop and Tasting Bar, The Royale, and many more will host a series of contests, half-off deals, beer dinners, drink release parties, beer schools and brewer meet-and-greet events.
For example: On Saturday July 30, the crew at Six Row Brewing Co. will kick off Craft Beer Week at noon with a free event – a re-release party of Six Row’s Cream Ale, a classic brew that was so popular last year it demanded an encore. In the mood for something a little more crazy? Head over to DeMun Oyster Bar, where all week long the resident mixologists are infusing beers with a variety of fresh ingredients. Try beer cocktails like the Stone to the Head – a blend of Stone IPA, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Green Chartreuse and Velvet Falernum. Hungry? Hop the elevator to the rooftop bar at The Moonrise Hotel on Wednesday, August 3, and join in the Brewers’ Pig Roasts featuring five of St. Louis’ hottest new breweries where a $30 cover buys you a pint of cask ale and all-you-can-eat hog, fresh off the spit.
With so many local venues participating, there’s a good chance of stumbling upon one of these great Craft Beer Week specials by accident. But if planning is your thing, check out the comprehensive list of week-long and daily events on the official website.
This article appears in Jul 1-31, 2011.
