HOP TO IT

For those of us who view historic preservation and adaptive re-use as sacred quests, Tom Schlafly has certainly earned a place in our book of saints. Schlafly's St. Louis Brewery and Tap Room took an old building in what was basically a dead zone in western downtown and made it an anchor, a stout foundation — in short, a cure for what ales you.

And even if you couldn't care less about downtown revitalization, if you have any interest at all in the choicest products of the brewer's art, you owe it to yourself to head down to the St. Louis Brewery (2100 Locust, 241-2337) on Saturday, Sept. 25, between 1 and 6 p.m. For the first time in its history, Schlafly's will feature more than 30 varieties all at once at "A Hop in the City," the first all-Schlafly beer festival.

Highlights include the "miraculous" return of Holy Smoke Papal Porter, as well as the very first pouring of a new style called Belgian Trippel. In addition to the beer, there will be Gooseneck Cider from Missouri's Les Bourgeois winery and sodas from Fitz's, as well as a selection of beer-related food like brats, mussels and frites. Music will be provided by the Deutschmaster Brass Band, Boogie Chyld and the Blue Moon Boys.

Tickets are $17 until Friday, then $20 on the day of the event.