When you go out this winter, skip the ice skates and sled and head on down to the city. Local breweries are great places to explore and try different beers of all colors and styles, while sitting in the comfort a beautiful beer hall. Winter is especially popular for porters, stouts, and other thick rich beers, but as a new or experienced craft beer connoisseur, anything goes. Check out these three breweries next time you're in St. Louis, Missouri.
4Hands Brewing Company
Located in the heart of downtown off of 8th Street and near Busch Stadium, 4Hands Brewing Company is one brewery you can't miss. With two levels, taps on both floors, and a giant game room/entertainment space on the second floor, there's plenty of space for drinking and a good time. Beers are rotating throughout the year, so there's always new selections. Seasonal beers offered in December/January include Zellige, a coffee stout with flavors of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamon, black pepper, and sea salt; License to Dance, a tart ale made with cranberry, pineapple and orange; and Madagascar, an Imperial stout brewed with vanilla bean. 4Hands also hosts events for the local community often, including yoga + beer and holiday tap room parties.
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (UCBC)
Even if you're not German, you'll enjoy this Belgian-inspired brewery. Located right at the start of St. Louis's Grove district, UCBC boasts a huge open concept beer hall numerous community tables, taps, and spacious patio. If you're hungry, German inspired snacks/food is available to munch on while you sip on beers such as Schnickelfritz, Zwickel, and Oachkatzlschwoaf... whoa. Best part of UCBC though, is their love of dogs! Bring them on the patio in the summer or to Barktoberfest in October. They host numerous pet inspired activities and events throughout the year, with Dog Day Fridays happening yep, every Friday from March - September. They also work on being sustainable and eco-friendly, what more could you want from drinking beer?
Heavy Riff Brewery
If you're in the mood for beer and BBQ, Heavy Riff Brewery is the place to go. Located in the Dogtown neighborhood of St. Louis, Heavy Riff caters to the alternative side of craft brews. They have 15 original draft beers, with plenty of music themed names, such as Bohemian Rhaspberry and Crowd Surfer. The perfect winter brew to try from this hall would be the Vanilla Coffee Underbrown, brewed with Kona coffee. Pair that with some BBQ sliders or burnt ends for the ultimate winter comfort food. Then, stay for the live music or wake up early to participate in Kegs n Eggs, cheers!
