The 13th annual Brew in the Lou festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Lily Pond in Francis Park. The event, presented by the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), brings together some of the region’s best breweries, wineries, distilleries, restaurants and local retailers for an afternoon of tastings, live music and family-friendly fun.
This year’s headliner is the Funky Butt Brass Band, known for their energetic mix of jazz, blues, soul, funk, gospel, hip-hop and rock. Guests can also enjoy unlimited samples from more than a dozen breweries, including 2nd Shift Brewing, 4 Hands Brewing Co., Square One Brewing, Kansas City Bier Co., and Boulevard Brewing Co., as well as local wineries like St. James Winery and Wild Sun Winery & Brewery and distilleries such as J. Rieger & Co. and Wood Hat Spirits. Food vendors range from 3 Gerards Pizza to K-bop food truck, Nonie’s Closet and STL City Eats.
Returning features include the Homebrew People’s Choice Competition, hosted by the St. Louis Homebrewers Guild, where festivalgoers can taste and vote for their favorite small-batch creations. Brew in the Lou will also debut a custom beer for the second year in a row: Square One Brewery’s Black IPA, named South City Eclipse in a contest won by longtime volunteer Christian Fierro.
A special highlight for 2025 is Bare Knuckle BBQ Sauce, a collaboration among five former St. Louis Blues players – Cam Janssen, Jim Campbell, Reed Low, Jamie Rivers and Tony Twist – who will be on-site sampling and selling their signature sauces. Rumor has it that the Blues mascot, Louie, may make an appearance as well.
General admission tickets are $55 in advance or $65 at the gate and include unlimited tastings (while supplies last) and a commemorative glass. VIP tickets, available for $125 in advance only, offer access to exclusive food and beverage offerings, private restrooms and a VIP pint glass. Designated driver tickets are available for $25. Last year’s festival sold out, so organizers encourage advance purchases.
Proceeds benefit scholarships and educational services for more than 9,700 students at 38 LESA-member schools across the St. Louis metro area.
Advance tickets are available through Oct. 9 at brewinthelou.com.
This article appears in October 2025.