Grin and Beer It

Everyone remembers his or her first beer (Mickey’s Malt Liquor). But do you remember the first great beer you ever sampled? (It was Newcastle, on tap at some English pub in Indiana.) Of course you do. You recall exactly where you were, who you were with, what the glass looked like — you don’t experience that flood of memories with a soda. This weekend is your best chance to create more of those memories, at the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival. Seven local breweries, from big daddy Anheuser-Busch to the recently-revived Griesedieck Bros. Brewing Company, join forces to provide more than 70 types of beer for your delectation, including seven different versions of the official festival brew, St. Louis Dark Lager. All you have to do is make your way to Forest Park and start samplin’ at one of two sessions on Saturday, May 10 — either the noon to 4 p.m. block or the 6 to 10 p.m. option. Admission is $30 to $35 for each installment, and includes a commemorative beer glass. Food that goes well with beer will be available for purchase from area restaurants such as Harvest and Vin de Set, so bring some cash. A VIP session on Thursday and a “business day” session on Friday (May 8 and 9) are also available. Visit www.stlbrewfest.com for more information.
May 8-10, 2008