The Place: Kirkwood Station Brewing Company (105 East Jefferson; Kirkwood; 314-966-2739)
The Hours: Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
The Deal: $4 drafts, $3 premium spirits, $5 wines and half-off select full-sized appetizers including hot pretzels ($4.50), fried pickles ($4.50), fried green beans ($4.50) and nachos ($6.50).
The Scene: Established in 2006 (albeit with a couple of names changes along the way), Kirkwood Station Brewing Company features a full dining area in addition to an enormous bar that stretches across the expanse of a conjoining room. When we arrived on a weekday around dinnertime, the restaurant was already busy with customers of all ages, from couples and families to lone barflies.
See also: Kirkwood Station Brewing Co. Soon Available in Cans
The Food: The standout here from the happy-hour appetizer selection was the "Fresh Baked Braided Pretzel & Brew Master's Beer Cheese Soup." Served hot and buttery, the golden brown soft pretzels came with just the right amount of salt on them, poised for dipping in three different accompaniments: stone ground mustard, honey mustard and a warm and comforting housemade beer-cheese soup cooked to the proper consistency -- not too thick and perfect for dunking bits of tasty bread.
Did Kirkwood Brewing Station Company make the grade? Find out on the next page.
