Gotta Try 'Em All

Fads come and go, tastes change, and people are fickle — and yet beer remains a perennial favorite beverage the world 'round. Place your faith in something you can hold, smell and — wonder of wonders — taste, and celebrate the world's mightiest tipple in all its myriad forms at the sixteenth annual St. Louis Microfest. This fundraiser for Lift for Life Gym features samples of more than 80 craft beers and 50 international beers spread out across four sessions and three days. Your ticket gets you two-ounce samples of as many beers as you care to try during your session, and concessions will be available from local restaurants; there's also a VIP option that gets you into the private biergarten with complimentary snacks and exclusive beers. Sessions take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (May 6 through 8) in the upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park (I-64 and Hampton Avenue; 314-588-0007 or www.stlmicrofest.org). Be aware that Webster University's graduation takes place Saturday morning, so you may want to park elsewhere in Forest Park and catch the shuttle bus; this is also good advice for avoiding the Hampton backup. Ticket cost varies per session, from $27 to $42, and the designated-driver pass (soda only, no beer samples allowed) costs $10.
May 6-8, 2011