One of St. Louis’ biggest hometown craft beer brands is headed to a highly anticipated new downtown development.
When Wash Ave Food Hall opens later this year, 4 Hands Brewing Co. will serve as the anchor beverage partner, bringing an interactive PourMyBeer wall that lets guests sample beers and other beverages by the ounce while exploring the hall’s collection of local food vendors.
It’s a natural pairing. Few local breweries have become as synonymous with St. Louis as 4 Hands, which has grown from a LaSalle Park neighborhood brewery into the region’s largest craft brewer while building a reputation for community investment, neighborhood partnerships and hospitality. The brewery’s presence also gives the new food hall an instantly recognizable local anchor as it works to establish itself as a destination along Washington Avenue.
Guests will begin by checking in with a bartender, who will verify their age and issue an RFID card. They can then move along the self-pour wall, choosing from a rotating selection of taps and pouring as much or as little as they’d like before paying by the ounce.
Rather than waiting in line at a traditional bar, the concept is designed to encourage guests to sample different styles, build custom flights and pair drinks with food from multiple vendors throughout the hall.
“We’re excited to be part of a concept that redefines what hospitality and gathering spaces can look like in St. Louis,” said Kevin Lemp, founder and CEO of 4 Hands Brewing Co., in a statement. “The Wash Ave Food Hall brings together innovative culinary and beverage experiences under one roof, creating a destination where people can connect, explore and build community, everything that 4 Hands Brewing Co. works to be a part of.”
Developed by FIRETEN Hospitality, Wash Ave Food Hall aims to become a central gathering place in one of downtown’s most walkable neighborhoods, with a mix of local restaurants, bars and entertainment designed to serve residents, office workers and visitors alike.
For the food hall team, landing 4 Hands was a key piece of the vision. “4 Hands is exactly the kind of anchor beverage partner we envisioned for the Wash Ave Food Hall,” chief operating officer Natalie Zabiegalski said in a statement. “They bring a trusted St. Louis name, a deep commitment to community and a willingness to create something that feels fresh and interactive.”
CEO Jeremy Barker said the self-pour concept aligns with the food hall’s broader focus on giving guests flexibility to customize their experience. “People want great food and drinks, but they also want experience, energy and choice,” Barker said. “Bringing 4 Hands into the project through the PourMyBeer Wall gives us a beverage anchor that is local, recognizable and perfectly aligned with the kind of interactive environment we are building.”
Founded in 2011, 4 Hands has expanded well beyond beer, adding 1220 Spirits, Withered Oak whiskeys and 4 Hands Cannabis Co. to its portfolio while remaining deeply rooted in St. Louis through its City Wide Mission, which has donated more than $450,000 to local nonprofits.
“As a brewery, we’ve always believed that we are more than beer. It’s about bringing people together and creating experiences,” Lemp said. “The Wash Ave Food Hall is an opportunity for collaboration and shared experiences that strengthen the fabric of our city.”
Additional vendors and opening details for Wash Ave Food Hall are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
