It’s debatable whether St. Louis is “America’s beer capital.” This weekend, however, area brewers and beer enthusiasts will certainly show some local love for suds at the annual St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival, held downtown in Ballpark Village across from Busch Stadium.
What began just six years ago as a fete featuring craft suds by three area breweries has burgeoned into an all-out hops extravaganza. This year’s event will showcase more than 15 breweries, all offering their take on an American IPA, each using a different style of hop. The best part: All of the brews will be available for sampling. Plus, festival-goers looking for beer education aside from the kind called “drinking,” can chat it up with the numerous brewmasters who will be on-hand to share insights on everything from beer styles to their personal brewing M.O. With food from Companion, Harvest, Sqwires, LoRusso’s and Vin de Set available for purchase – plus live music – we can’t think of a better way for proud St. Louisans to spend a few hours this weekend.
The festival begins Friday, June 15 and runs through Sunday, June 17. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event (The 21-and-older event is free for designated drivers and those who do not wish to drink.), for each individual session. Sessions are: Fri., June 15 from 5 to 9 p.m.; Sat., June 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat., June 16 from 5 to 9 p.m.; and Sun., June 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more sudsy info, visit the festival’s website.
This article appears in June 2012.