St. Louis Microfest returns tonight and tomorrow, May 2 and 3, in the upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park. The 19th annual festival, which benefits Lift for Life Gym, offers attendees the opportunity to sample craft and international beers during three different sessions in two days: Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or 6 to 10 p.m.
This year, Microfest hosts nearly 100 breweries, including locals like Perennial Artisan Ales, 4 Hands Brewery, Urban Chestnut, Six Row, Cathedral Square, Alpha Brewing, Heavy Riff, Exit 6, Square One, Kirkwood Station and more. Regional breweries will also be featured, including Scratch Brewing from Ava, Illinois, Cinder Block Brewing in Kansas City, Missouri and Logboat Brewing in Columbia, Missouri.
Even the well-traveled beer drinker will taste something new this weekend; two soon-to-open area breweries will helm booths at Microfest. In addition to an American IPA and a saison (both only available Friday), Main & Mill Brewing, currently under construction in Festus, will pour its Triple Maple Amber. This beer is brewed with pure maple sap from Such and Such Farms instead of water. The brewers then age it on maple chips and add a touch of maple syrup for balance. The Triple Maple Amber will be featured in the demonstration tent with pairings from The Scottish Arms.
Modern Brewery, which will be located 5321 Manchester Ave., in St. Louis, will also debut beers at all three sessions this weekend. Brewer Ronnie Fink said this will be the public’s first opportunity to try Modern’s pale ale, IPA, saison, golden strong ale, Belgian dark ale and an American farmhouse ale.
Tickets are available at the entrance for all sessions. General admission is $45, and VIP tickets are $65. The VIP experience includes a private hospitality tent with access to rare beers, a commemorative glass and food by Iron Barley.
Sauce Magazine is a sponsor of St. Louis Microfest.
This article appears in May 2014.