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This just in: the 2011 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in St. Louis coincides with St. Louis Craft Beer Week! They must have known I was attending…

I’ve been planning my first trip to St. Louis and researching local brewpubs and tap houses to explore during my visit. I discovered nine promising beer spots within a 3-mile radius of America’s Center, the site of the 2011 ASAE Annual Meeting.

It gets better: St. Louis Craft Beer Week runs through August 7, and local breweries and tap houses are offering special beer releases and tap takeovers. See the Events listing for all of the details; or see the notes on special events at the places listed below.

The Boa Beer Blog Guide to Finding Good Beer at the 2011 ASAE Annual Meeting in St. Louis:

1.  The Schlafly Tap Room
2100 Locust Street (about 1.3 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: The Schlafly Tap Room first opened its doors in 1991 and proudly holds the distinction of being the first new brewpub in Missouri since Prohibition. Housed in a beautifully-restored wood and brick building on the National Historic Register, The Schlafly Tap Room enjoys a reputation as a casual, earthy place to drink, dine, listen to great live music or host a special event.

Beer: Selection of 16 house beers on tap, including a Belgian Dubbel, India Brown Ale, and Grand Cru, plus two on cask.

2.  Morgan Street Brewery
721 N 2nd Street (about 0.4 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: Morgan Street Brewery, founded in 1995, is one of the oldest buildings in historic Laclede’s Landing.  It’s where St. Louis – and thousands of visitors from other cities – go for great times, great food and fabulous beers made right on the premises…Nestled on cobblestone streets polished by more than 200 years of commerce along the Mississippi River, Morgan Street Brewery radiates the charm that only history can impart.  Morgan Street Brewery’s rich architecture and warm interiors are highlighted by burnished wood and exposed brick and feature cozy nooks and corners.  The main brewery building and adjacent Lodge, both more than 130 years old…

Beer: 5 house beers on tap

3.  The Bridge
1004 Locust Street (about 0.4 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: A unique tap house and wine bar with 200+ beers, 55 on tap and 100+ wines, 20+ by the glass. Serving beer in 4 oz, 12 oz, and 24 oz pours. To celebrate St. Louis Craft Beer Week, Saturday from 9:00 pm – 1:00 am and Sunday from 5:00 pm – 12:00 am, The Bridge is offering 1/2 off all St. Louis-brewed craft beers.

Beer: 55 beers on tap, with tap take-overs by local St.Louis breweries to celebrate craft beer week

4.  International Tap House
1711 South 9th Street (about 1.8 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: We have 40 on tap, but don’t blink because they will not stay the same. We pride ourselves on bringing the best draught variety in the Midwest, which means our draught lineup changes daily and almost hourly. We strive to make our place inviting, comfortable and relaxing. You will not be overwhelmed by loud music or heavy smoke.

Beer: 40 beers on tap, with specials Monday-Thursday

5.  Square One Brewery
1727 Park Avenue (about 2.0 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: The Square One Brewery & Distillery became the first microdistillery restaurant in the state of Missouri and one of the first in the country in August 2008…we serve a beer flight (4 – 6 ounce glasses) to allow our patrons to sample different beers in one sitting. We also do the same for our spirits with 4 one ounce tastes of any of the spirits that we have. Come join us for Happy Hour!  From 4pm – 6pm Monday through Friday we are offering $1.00 off pints and $1.00 off drinks featuring our own Spirits of St. Louis.

Beer: 11 house brews on tap including a Single Malt Scotch Ale, plus their own house-made spirits

6.  Buffalo Brewing
3100 Olive Street (about 2.0 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: Located in the heart of Midtown St. Louis, our restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine with a twist in a charming brew pub atmosphere. Enjoy dining al fresco during the lazy summer months, or sit inside and watch our brewing process in operation and sample the unique, brewing results.

Beer: 6 freshly brewed beers

7.  Urban Chestnut Brewing Company
3229 Washington Avenue (about 2.0 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: …an unconventional-minded yet tradition-oriented brewer of craft beer. We like to call our unique brewing philosophy Beer Divergency—a ‘new world meets old world’ brewing approach…Situated in an old 1920’s garage…located in a district of St. Louis known as Midtown Alley—a part of town with some history that is undergoing a revolution of its own. The first sample is on us…Prost!

Beer: A mix of 13 “artisanal, modern American beers” and “classically-crafted, timeless European beer styles”

8.  Six Row Brewing Company
3690 Forest Park Avenue (about 3.0 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: Six Row Brewing Company produces quality ales from the site of the old Falstaff Brewery…in the Midtown area of St. Louis, near St. Louis University. Our Old Plant No. 1 Pub is open to the public and features our craft brewed beers along with selections from other craft breweries and wineries. Stop by and enjoy a pint soon! We feature free wireless internet access.

Beer: 6 on draft including a Double IPA. One Saturday, August 6, they are tapping a cask of Bacon Porter: “We had such a great response to the Bacon infused Porter back in June that we got some more bacon from the good people at Baumann’s and did it again to cap off St. Louis Craft Beer Week in style.”

9. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
12th & Lynch Streets (about 2.8 miles from America’s Center)

From their Web Site: Your tour will guide you through a blend of rich brewing heritage, state-of-the-art technology and extraordinary architecture. Visit the historic Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, Beechwood Lager Cellars, historic Brew House and Bevo Packaging Facility…sample our products in the Hospitality Room. Choose from a variety of brews including our seasonal brands and new products.

Beer: Budweiser (just a guess)

I can’t wait to explore the beer scene in St. Louis! Trip reports to follow…

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