Steve Crider launched Second Shift Brewing last year. And while St. Louisans have been able to enjoy Second Shift suds on tap at a few area bars and restaurants, beer-lovers looking to make the short trek to New Haven, Mo., where the brewery is based, can now enjoy Second Shift beers at the brewery’s own tasting room, which opened last weekend at 1401 Olive Road, about one mile north of Highway 100.
Crider, who is both owner and brewmaster at Second Shift, told The Scoop that the tasting room will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 6 p.m. Currently, the Second Shift crew is pulling handles on five of its beers: Unicorn Killer Saison, a hoppy wheat beer called Wheat Freak, Hibiscus Whit and two IPAs – Art of Neurosis and Collaboration Ale. The Collaboration Ale is just that – a joint project with area craft brewery The Civil Life Brewing Co. Crider hopes to add five to seven more taps eventually, thus offering at least 10 of his own brews plus a guest tap or two.
As far as food offerings at the tasting room go, Crider said that while there will be “munchies of some sort,” he is still finalizing the list of items. For the moment, look for pretzels, popcorn and other bar snacks, with cheese plates and other small plates for sharing coming soon.
This article appears in May 1-31, 2011.