Looking for a good time in West County? Head to Good News Brewing Co.’s new location at 2603 West Ave. in Wildwood for a pick-me-up of some hot pizza and cold beer.
Good News opened its sixth location at the intersection of Old Manchester Road and Highway 109. With other locations in O’Fallon, Defiance, Augusta, St. Charles, and Alton, Illinois, the newest location marks owner Dan Tripp’s first foray into St. Louis County.
“A lot of our customers are cyclists, so a lot of them are [on] the Katy Trail. They were urging me to find something in [the area near] Wildwood,” said Tripp.
Responding to the public demand, the Wildwood location opened its doors in May and is packed with families, couples and people looking to kick back and relax.
Step inside the 2,000-square-foot indoor tasting room to be greeted by a minimalist design featuring black and white with wooden accents. Furnished with picnic tables and metal bar stools, the open space turns this brewery into a gathering place where family and friends can share the restaurant’s namesake “good news” over a pint. With drinks and fresh pizza just an order away, conversations tend to flow as freely as beer from the tap.
“One of my favorite things is to walk around and look at how many people are not on their cell phones. It’s a special thing that people are here to interact, to have fun. [Nowadays] people just aren’t going to restaurants, and [when they are], everyone’s just on their phones. You don’t see that here,” Tripp said.
As you take a step outside, the space transforms from a refined indoor experience into an outdoor backyard bash, with games like cornhole and bocce ball, along with a small stage for local musicians. Pop in on a Friday night to enjoy the fall weather, try some local food trucks, and listen to local bands. Good News aims to be the backyard for Wildwood every Friday night, Tripp explains.
Their signature sourdough wood-fired pizzas are made in-house, baked to crispy perfection right in front of your eyes. Try the aptly named Vampire Deathwish, layered with garlic sauce, spinach, feta and mozzarella cheese, and wash it down with the Local 636 Hazy IPA, one of Good News’ most popular beers.
“Good News prides itself on having something for everyone,” Tripp said. “I like to call them approachable beers. You get someone in here who isn’t really a craft beer enthusiast, but there’s something for everyone.”
For those new to the craft beer scene, Tripp recommends the Belgian White with hints of coriander and orange. The beers pair well with the Jalapeno Popper Pizza, with the signature Boom Boom sauce, jalapenos, bacon and crushed Fritos that’s topped off with a drizzle of ranch.
If you’re looking for something unique, try the Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout, a perfect balance of hazelnut and rich coffee. Not a fan of IPAs? The Lime-Tangerine Sour, a crisp, bright, wheat-based ale, might be up your alley. Or, as the fall festivities approach, order their seasonal pumpkin brew, an amber ale with just the right hint of pumpkin spice.
As business increases, Tripp has plans to open more locations in the St. Louis region, including an additional brewhouse at the Wildwood location, along with the company’s existing brewhouse in Augusta.
“Our goal is to get families and friends to gather and hang out and spend the afternoon together. That’s our focus and our priority, and that’s our mission,” Tripp said. “That’s kind of why we started, to be a light in a darkened world.”
Visit Good News Brewing Co.’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates.