It's taken a few days to find the time, but thanks to the St. Louis craft brewing industry for a wonderful ten days. I was able to take in several of the events and am glad I did. It started the last weekend of July with the Midwest Belgian Beer Festival hosted by Perennial Artisan Ales in South Saint Louis near where the River Des Peres flows into the Mississippi. (Well, the River Des Peres isn't exactly flowing these days as it has been dried up by the intense heat of the last six weeks. Let's just say it's trickling into the Mississippi). Perennial does a great job with everything it touches so it came as no surprise to me that there were so many Belgian's available for tasting. I had the opportunity for the first time to taste several Sour beers. Perennial's was done by brewer Phil Wymore, and ran out quickly. Goose Island from Chicago had both of its breweries represented, and one of them brought a big sour beer, and New Belgium from Colorado brought a very nice Kriek. The Kriek, with sour Cherries, changed as the room warmed. Long story short, it was a great afternoon that passed by very quickly.
Last weekend, iTap in Soulard, hosted a Firkin Festival. For the un-educated a firkin, or cask, is pumped by hand and served at room temperature. I had time to try 4 Hands Red Rye out of the cask, Stone's Arrogant Bastard Cask Style and finally New Holland Brewing's Dragon Milk aged over Bourbon Barrels. Oh, it was all good. I would have had a second Dragon Milk, but the fact I was driving prohibited that, even after several glasses of water back. Another amazing day for beer lovers in St. Louis.
Thanks to all the men and women in St. Louis who brew these wonderful products!
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