Sauce Magazine // March 2025 by Big Lou Holdings

A TOAST TO

Schlafly's Oatmeal Stout

MARCH 2025 • VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2

OWNER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

SPECIAL BEER EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Keating

Lauren Healey

Tony Rehagen

Evan Sult

Kelli Jones

Haimanti Germain

Aspen Smit

Lauren Healey, George Mitchell

Sauce was founded by Allyson Mace in 1999.

Amanda Bretz, Lauren Healey, Tony Rehagen

GEORGE MITCHELL

Nothing soaks up good beer like good bread — and there’s no bread better than the house focaccia at The King’s Oak by Modern Brewery Inches thick, the crispy, slightly oily crust yields to a delightfully spongey core. It’s so soft, you want to take a nap on it (especially after a couple pints of Choice Nugs Hazy Double IPA). This focaccia forms the basis of the Porchetta Pastrami Sammie. You can get the sandwich with a few choice meats, including birria-braised beef, an Italian combo of prosciutto and stracciatella, and a turkey club, but we recommend the pastrami, with housebrined pork belly, Swiss, and mustard. You’ll love it down to the last crumb.

5200 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 314.788.0900, modernbrewery.com

DRINK THIS

When Blue Jay Brewing Co. opened in Midtown in December 2023, it joined one of the more established craft beer scenes in the country. Long-standing STL brewers, many of whom Blue Jay co-owner Jay Thompson had worked with, had made definitive statements on barrel-aged stouts, pale ales, IPAs, browns and even German-style lagers. Thompson built his bird house on a foundation of traditional styles done extremely well. And in so doing, he brewed up Okay! Bavarian-style Hefeweizen — which I consider to be the city’s best hefeweizen. It has the creamy, banana-bread flavor you look for in the style, while adding slightly sweeter and hoppier notes — a perfect refresher as the weather heats up.

2710 Locust St., St. Louis, bluejaybrewing.com

BIG IN ASIA

In April 2024, workers distributing Heavy Riff beer had to call on the U.S. Embassy USDA staff in South Korea for assistance.

They were in Seoul for the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX), one of the largest beer festivals in the world, and the Heavy Riff booth was being overrun by thirsty patrons eager to get samples of Dear Agony, Heavy Riff’s bourbon-barrel-aged double milk stout. Demand was so intense that they had to enlist embassy staff to help pour.

The scene might have sent Hagen’s mind home to Dogtown, where every winter, people from all over the U.S. would line up around the block to get their hands on the latest Dear Agony variant. But while Heavy Riff’s signature BA stout remains popular, the crowds queuing up for craft beer around the country are not what they used to be. In 2022, American craft beer sales were going flat for the first time outside of the pandemic – a stagnation that seems to be slipping into a decline. Brewers everywhere are trying to keep their bubble from bursting. Some have streamlined production to reduce costs; others have narrowed their focus to regional and hyper-local markets. Meanwhile, Heavy Riff Brewing is thinking about Asia.

“Asia is on fire for American craft beer,” says Heavy Riff co-owner Rick Hagen. “West Coast breweries had been

sending beer to Asia, so my radar was already up. When I saw the local beer market go into this mini recession, my thought was that we should look to sending beers overseas.”

BY TONY REHAGEN

Through an export development program facilitated by the Brewer’s Association (BA), the U.S. craft beer trade association, dozens of American breweries have found outlets for their beer in foreign markets all over the globe. But this trans-Pacific opportunity comes at a particularly ideal time for many brewers like Hagen. “One SevenEleven 7 has 11 of our beers on their shelves,” says Hagen. “We’re really pleased with what we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s made up for what we’ve lost in the domestic slump.”

Hagen says Heavy Riff hasn’t had to ramp up production to meet overseas demand – though they have had to adjust for subtle differences in foreign taste. For instance, while hoppier hazy IPAs like Disco Apocalypse and Prison Bound are wildly popular in Japan, the vanilla-forward Love Gun cream ale has been slower to catch on (it seems vanilla is not a familiar flavor in Japanese beer). So, the brewery has developed a version of Love Gun with chestnuts that’s more geared to Japanese palates.

Meanwhile, South Koreans go nuts for the sweeter Love Gun – and, of course, bottles of Dear Agony. In fact, they didn’t couldn’t wait for the shipment. “Last June, the Korean distributor came to taste some of our cellar stock from 2021,” says Hagen. “They bought 142 cases of Dear Agony, the whole inventory.”

A STAR RISES IN THE EAST

BY TONY REHAGEN

Millpond Brewing delivers the goods from the far side of the river

No one wants to talk about the pandemic, especially regarding business. But when it comes to the beer industry, there’s no way to avoid it.

For worse – and, admittedly, for the better –the pandemic reshaped the craft beer industry. Overnight, taprooms were closed or faced occupancy limits, and with all that product just sitting in vats, breweries had to find a way to move it, in crowlers and cans, into consumers’ hands. Brewers started packaging and expanded distribution.

Covid forced Bryan Schubert of Millpond Brewing to pivot on his entire business model – but it also forced him to make decisions that ultimately led to Millpond becoming one of the metro’s most recent success stories.

In 2019, after nine years of award-winning homebrewing, Schubert’s wife Lizzy had urged him to open a brewery of his own in a smartly rehabbed old Shell gas station in Millstadt, Illinois. But in so doing, he initially wanted to help other hobbyists

realize the same dream. The original name on the shingle was Millpond Brewing and Incubator. Yes, it was to be a place for Schubert to indulge his own passions; but also set it up to where fellow homebrewers who might not have had the resources could brew on a larger scale and get their beers in front of customers. “Opening up a brewery is really hard,” said Schubert. “It takes a lot of work and a lot of money and not everyone has that opportunity. The plan was to have this incubator side to the brewery where, occasionally, we’d allow an aspiring brewery owner to come in and brew their recipe and sell it to the public.”

When Millpond opened, Schubert even had an aspiring brewery owner lined up. (Jason Thompson, formerly of Urban Chestnut and currently of coowner and head brewer of Midtown St. Louis’s newest beer star Blue Jay Brewing). But then in March 2020 … well, you know. People wanted to stay away from each other – and stay home and drink beer. Schubert took the opportunity to focus fully on brewing the beers he wanted to make. Fortunately, Schubert’s tastes lean toward hazy IPAs, a hophead

staple which had solidified its ubiquity in tap rooms and brewpubs nationwide; craft lagers, which had been steadily emerging as a crushable craft go-to; and barrel-aged stouts and barleywines, which were still highly sought-after, if a longer-term investment. And because social distancing put a damper on taproom gathering, Schubert looked straight to packaging his wares and telling his story, which trickled out of tiny Millstadt and gradually built a groundswell of response throughout the region.

Last summer, Millpond launched distribution in Missouri after doubling its production capacity. Today, you can find cans of their Old Millstadt, a replica pre-Prohibition lager and Dunkes Bier German-style pilsner throughout the metro. “It’s been huge for us,” said Schubert. “Before, people may have heard about Millpond from a friend. But now their first experience is a four-pack that they can buy close to their house. And that is now bringing people to Millstadt.”

308 E. Washington St., Millstadt, Illinois, 618.476.9933, millpondbrewing.com

4 Hands Brewing Co.’s philanthropic City Wide American pale ale helps St. Louis thrive

By Kiana Fleming

DID YOU KNOW that every time you enjoy a City Wide beer, you’re helping your fellow St. Louisians?

Founded in 2011 in the LaSalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis, 4 Hands Brewing Co. (1220 South 8th St.) will celebrate the ninth anniversary of its American pale ale, City Wide, in 2025. As St. Louis’ top-selling craft beer, City Wide stands out not just for its crisp, vibrant blend of Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops, with bold flavors and aromas of citrus, melon and tropical fruit, but also for its mission, which continues to be the pulse of the brewery.

From St. Louis for St. Louis, 4 Hands created City Wide with a focus on community and local pride for the city. The beer not only celebrates St. Louis with a design by Josh Rowan that features the city’s flag, with red, yellow and blue fleur-de-lis surrounding the can, but also supports local nonprofits by donating $1 per case sold to quarterly charitable partners.

Each year, the brewery selects four nonprofits to receive donations, with the funds from City Wide sales distributed evenly among them. Recipients are selected internally, and the 4 Hands team continues to seek out new organizations – whether large or small – ensuring that any nonprofit with a mission to support the St. Louis area is considered.

“City Wide has allowed us to connect to people and organizations outside the beverage industry to build deep, meaningful partnerships and friendships. We work tirelessly to create experiences, memories and great beverages for our customers, but beyond that, we want to see St. Louis thrive and we’re proud to play any party, big or small, in that story,” said 4 Hands Chief Marketing Officer Liz Swyers.

For the past nine years, for example, 4 Hands has

partnered with the Ronald McDonald House, assisting their team in setting up a holiday shop for families with children in the hospital during the holidays. They have also volunteered with Mission St. Louis for their annual Affordable Christmas event, as well as helped beautify Tower Grove Park by planting flower beds. With Unleashing Potential, they’ve collaborated with teachers and daycare workers, hosting book drives to expand their library. 4 Hands has supported Kids Vision for Life in their mission to provide children with essential eye care and has had a long-standing partnership with the Cardinal Glennon Foundation through their annual Sun Run and Glennon Live events. This year, 4 Hands will release a City Wide Pedal the Cause specialty can in order to raise awareness for the brewery’s Pedal the Cause cycling team. Pedal the Cause raises funds for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital through its annual cycling event and year-round activities. These examples are just some of the partnerships and community work 4 Hands has been a part of throughout the years.

Since 2016, 4 Hands has partnered with over 30 organizations, contributing more than $350,000 to regional causes, staying true to its commitment to be more than just a beer. The brewery hopes that beer drinkers will continue to support important causes and organizations that make a positive impact on the St. Louis area, one City Wide at a time.

“Beer is our vessel to give back to the community and I’m so proud of what City Wide stands for today. I’m excited to look ahead to the next five to 10 years and envision the continued impact it will have on St. Louis,” said Swyers.

To learn more about current and past City Wide recipients, visit CityWideBeer.com. 4 Hands also shines a spotlight on City Wide during Cardinals Opening Day, so if you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate, join them at the 4 Hands Brewery & Tasting Room on Thursday, March 27.

ABOUT 4 HANDS BREWING CO.

4 Hands Brewing Co. brews a diverse selection of year-round beers, as well as a variety of seasonal and limited-release options. The brewery has expanded with new tasting rooms in the St. Louis area: 4 Hands at the District in Chesterfield (17081 N Outer 40 Road), downtown Kirkwood (150 W. Argonne Drive), St. Louis International Airport (Terminal 2).The tasting rooms are open seven days a week, offering patrons the opportunity to enjoy beers straight from the source, along with house-made hard seltzers, 1220 Spirits cocktails, and Withered Oak whiskeys.

JUST L HEAV

We take these classic craft beers for granted, and still as good as you remember

BY TONY REHAGEN

///////PHOTOS BY GEORGE MITCHELL

Time is generally the arch nemesis of any good beer.

Hops degrade, fruity esters fade, air works its way into the bottle or can and robs the brew of its carbonation. Age also tends to flatten a beer’s commercial appeal. In a microbrew movement built on the novelty of flavorful alternatives as contrast to the staid, massproduced American lagers, a craft label is only fresh until the next hop varietal or edible-glitter-strewn sour that comes off the line.

That’s why, after more than two decades of craft beer in St. Louis, we local tipplers must tip our stein lids to the beers that have endured. These are brews that have never wavered in quality, whose creators have never bored of making them – or at least making money off them. We take them for granted, bolt for the flashiest new tallboy or bomber, but we always come home to them in our time of need. And thank the ancient alewives that they’re always there, with the taste just as we remember, to welcome us.

LIKE HEAVEN

but they’re still here —

Schlafly Beer Oatmeal Stout

We easily could have called out Schlafly’s iconic Pale Ale or the underrated stalwart Kolsch; but when it comes to craft, solid malty stouts are hard to find. In an age where the style is all about one-upping the booze, barrel-aging, and decadent dessert adjuncts, it’s nice to know that perfectly balanced British-style stout is still warm and roasty with just the right touch of sweetness.

Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. Zwickel

It was pretty ballsy for this upstart brewery to put out a lager in the town that Budweiser built. But to this day, this unfiltered Bavarian-style beauty stands to remind us that a cold lager can be refreshing and still have flavor.

4 Hands Brewing Co. City Wide American Pale Ale

The downtown brewery that tries to do a bit of everything has, of course, expanded the City Wide brand to include a Light Lager, an Irish Stout and even a non-alcoholic Hoppy Ale. But there’s no topping the original, a crisp, classic blend of Centennial, Citra and Simcoe hops. Hoppy, smooth and bursting with civic pride, it’s the beer I take out-of-towners as a gift from the Gateway City.

Modern Brewery Citrapolis

Citra hops were at the forefront of culture shift toward more tropical, fruitier IPAs that we now refer to as “hazy.” Few beers feature the dual-purpose strain better than the juicy, still slightly bitter, but overall, extremely smooth Citrapolis. This American IPA is crushable year-round.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN E X B EER IEN C E' D ?

BY TONY REHAGEN

Vivian Ward was at the 2008 St. Louis Wine Festival when one glass of beer woke her up to two separate revelations that would shape her life thereafter. First, it was a craft beer, far more flavorful than the Bud Light that her family in Washington Park had always drunk. Second, it had been made by a Black man, Ray Hill, a St. Louis pioneer of independent brewing. “That was my introduction to both craft beer and Black-owned beer,” said Ward. “I’d only ever seen the stereotypical white man brewing the stereotypical American beer.”

As Ward explored the burgeoning craft beer scenes in St. Louis, Chicago and beyond, she found a lot more new and exciting beers and a few Black brewers and owners. But what she did not see in the many taprooms and bier halls she visited were patrons like her. “I was often the only Black person, definitely the only Black woman,” she says. “I wanted to create a space to invite more people who looked like me.”

Ward’s answer was The ExBeerience, a multipronged effort to diversify brewery clientele in St. Louis and the Metro East. It began simply with Ward reaching out to Black-owned breweries in other states (there were none in Missouri or Southern Illinois – even today, less than 1% of U.S. independent breweries are Black-owned), driving to pick up the beer in Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, and bringing it back to serve guests in her

Caseyville, Illinois, garage. At first, the guest list was mostly friends and family, but Ward gradually built a network and following through attending festivals (like Pittsburgh’s Barrel & Flow Fest and Sacramento’s People’s Beer Fest celebrating Black-owned brewers and artists) and establishing relationships via social media.

To date, The ExBeerience has hosted 27 events, including taproom receptions and game nights, brewery tours and tutorials, and even virtual tastings and happy hours. Ward has also collaborated with area breweries, like Florissant’s Narrow Gauge, Belleville’s Shoehorn Brewery, Blue Jay Brewing Co., and the woman-owned Earthbound Brewing (which closed late last year) on her inaugural ExBeerience Juneteenth Beer Collaboration, where each brewery brewed a special beer in honor of the holiday. (She also takes a weekly shift behind the bar at Blue Jay to get to better know the beer and the business.) “The local craft beer scene tends to look a certain way because these breweries are not integrated into the communities where minorities live,” she says. “The ExBeerience is about creating access to these places and awareness – a lot of Black people don’t even consider craft beer as an option.”

Through The ExBeerience, Ward wants to give them that option, while also showing that diversity is an asset. “We are all better and stronger together,” she said. “My motto is: Drink the good beer. Fight the good fight.”

THE END OF THE

BY TONY REHAGEN

THE LINE

Cory King, co-owner and brewer at Side Project Brewing, clearly remembers the queue of thirsty patrons that stretched from his Maplewood brewery all the way down Manchester Road. Hundreds of drinkers and collectors eager to get their hands on the hottest bottles of Beer : Barrel : Time, a barrel-aged stout or M.J.K., a triple barrel-aged barleywine.

But those days are long gone – and according to King, that’s a good thing.

“Before, you’d have to wake up early, drive here – maybe even sleep here – to get a bottle,” said King. “Covid forced us to move all of that online, where people could order from the comfort of home. When the pandemic ended, we wanted to stay with that approach.”

In many ways, craft beer was built by people waiting for hours in line. In the earliest days of the so-called Craft Beer Revolution, breweries like Side Project and South City’s Perennial Artisan Ales would quietly announce a special release of a beer via Facebook or Instagram and wake up the next morning to throngs of thirsty patrons queued up outside the brewery hours before opening. This line culture created community among beer nerds and fostered a shared enthusiasm for the product and the brand. But it also meant that only a select number of die-hards got access to the company’s signature labels. Now, as the overall industry slips into a bit of a decline, it’s more vital than ever for brewers to get their best beers into as many cellars and snifters as possible – especially these premium potables for which there is still solid demand.

Side Project took its releases online, eventually landing on e-commerce platform Shopify. And while King was already brewing at capacity, he installed a new bottling line that could spread the love in smaller 375-milliliter bottles along with the traditional 750-milliliter bombers so that more people could experience Side Project. And while the brewery still holds special events and bottle releases, like February’s Stout Week, to keep the essence of “line culture” alive, they’ve started marketing beyond social media to broaden their audience. The idea is to use the beer to get more people into Side Project’s award-winning bar service and expanded food options. “We’re still creative and energetic about making beer, it’s what pays everyone here and keeps us going,” said King. “But overall, we’re a hospitality company. Beer, wine, whiskey and food. I don’t want Side Project to just be a place where people come to stand in line.”

7458 Manchester Road, Maplewood, sideprojectbrewing.com

SATELLITE S of LOVE

Local brewers grow their brands by expanding their

physical footprint LOVE

For any brewer that aspires to be more than just the neighborhood brewpub

(and there are plenty of great ones that are content to do just that), the goal is to get your brand and your beer in front of as many drinkers as possible. Traditionally, the way to accomplish that is through retail – but that requires spending money on increasing production, storage space, packaging, and likely a thirdparty distributor. Even then, you’re fighting with Big Beer like AB InBev and countless other independents for scant shelf space at the store and limited tap handles at the bar and restaurant.

No wonder that many brewers these days are opting for a different way: taking their beer to the people themselves via satellite locations. Since 2020, St. Louis craft pioneers Schlafly opened taprooms in St. Charles and Highland, Illinois; 4 Hands Brewing Co. expanded to Chesterfield (2023) and Kirkwood (2024). Wentzville-based Friendship Brewing popped up in Flint Hill (2023) and Hannibal (2024). Goodwood Brewing in O’Fallon is an extension of a Louisville-based brewery.

But by far the most prolific local empire is Good News Brewing. Since first launching in O’Fallon in 2017, Good News has opened three additional locations in Defiance, Augusta, and the French Town neighborhood of St. Charles. This spring, they’ll open a fifth in Wildwood. “Distribution has never been our goal,” said Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News with Matt Fair. “We’re not fighting for shelf space or in competition with people.”

Of course, that’s not to say building a brand out of brick-and-mortar is easy. While these brewers may not have to deal with a distributor or fight to get their four-packs in the coolers at Schnucks, they face a gauntlet of other issues stemming from extra real estate, including landlords, leases, upkeep and overhead. For instance, Schlafly recently cited an expiring lease and impending repairs in closing its St. Charles Bankside location; Friendship decried increased property and flood insurance as part of their reason for shuttering their Hannibal outlet for the winter months, at least. Tripp said that Good News limits its liability by owning the buildings in which they operate. “We’re building a brand, but we’re also building assets,” says Tripp. “We learned really quickly that banks don’t want to fund buildouts and start-ups – breweries are closing. But they are happy to hand out money when there’s real estate attached.”

The risk of investing in these locations is somewhat offset by the control owners maintain, not just over their product, but over their brand. Because breweries like Good News aren’t just selling beer – they’re also exporting a taproom experience. “It’s about creating community in your own neighborhoods,” said Tripp. “We focus on being a community center.”

BY TONY REHAGEN

St. Louis Spots with Great Beer

BLUES CITY DELI

At this Benton Park mainstay, the Civil Life American Brown pairs perfectly with the Big Tommy Roast Beef, featuring house-roasted beef on garlic cheese bread with grilled peppers and onions – don’t forget a side of au jus for a true game-changer. The Rueben, stacked with house cherrywood-smoked pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut and 1000 Island on grilled rye or sourdough, is an ideal match for 4 Hands Octohaze Hazy IPA. Urban Chestnut Zwickel Bavarian Lager or a classic Busch Beer complement any Italian sub, like the 7th Street Sicilian. Celebrating over 20 years of support, Blues City Deli thanks its customers and looks forward to serving you soon.

2438 McNair Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.8225, bluescitydeli.com

BROADWAY OYSTER BAR

Broadway Oyster Bar offers a fantastic selection of local beers on tap, featuring favorites from 4 Hands, Urban Chestnut, Civil Life, Modern Brewery and Logboat. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with $1 off drafts. Alongside local craft options, the bottled and canned selection includes classics from AB/InBev like Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Busch. With a variety of pale ales, IPAs and stouts, there’s something for every beer lover. Convenient off-street parking is available in the lot west of Broadway and Gratiot, except during Cardinals home games.

736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.621.8811, broadwayoysterbar.com

CARNIVORE

Carnivore on the Hill offers a top-tier selection of cold craft beers, decadent wines and handcrafted cocktails in a welcoming

atmosphere. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. with $3 domestic beers, $6 house wine, $5 wells and $7 signature martinis. The rotating draft beer selection features local breweries, along with non-alcoholic options from WellBeing, Mighty Kind and more. For a perfect weekend treat, check out brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5257 Shaw Ave., Suite 100, St. Louis, 314.449.6328, carnivore-stl.com

CENTRAL WEST END

Enjoy a beer in the Central West End, with a great variety at places like BBQ Saloon, Evangeline’s, Brennan’s and Up-Down. Don’t miss the Rock & Horse Brewing Co., the in-house brewery of Dressel’s Public House

and the only brewery on Euclid Avenue in the CWE. The brewery offers a rotation that reflects the owner’s appreciation of American and British beer. Sip on a cold one while savoring a delicious meal in the neighborhood.

Multiple locations, cwesene.com

COLLINA EATERY

Collina Eatery offers a carefully curated selection of craft cocktails, spirits, wine and local beers from 4 Hands, Heavy Riff, Urban Chestnut and Modern Brewery. Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 6 p.m., featuring $2 off all appetizers and $4 draft beers, available for dine-in only. This restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere ideal for any occasion.

2130 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2999, collinaeatery.com

EL MILAGRO AZTECA

El Milagro Azteca serves up an unbeatable selection of Mexican beers, including Modelo, Sol, Pacifico, Corona, Dos Equis, Tecate and Modelo Michelada. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., offering free chips and salsa with any purchase. The cocktail menu features everything from classic margaritas to original creations and ice-cold frozen cocktails. Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing beer, a perfectly crafted margarita, or a lively happy hour, El Milagro Azteca is the perfect place to relax and enjoy great flavors.

4940 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, 314.664.9955, elmilagroazteca.com

St. Louis Spots with Great Beer

HERBIE’S

Herbie’s offers seven seasonally rotating draft beers with a strong focus on local craft brews. By working closely with vendors, the restaurant has a selection that often includes exclusive, limited-release options. Beer lovers can take advantage of happy hour specials on weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., featuring $2 off any draft pour and $5 domestic bottles.

8100 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.769.9595, herbies.com

THE IRISH GYPSY BAR AND GRILL

The Irish Gypsy features a diverse selection of draft beers, including Guinness, Smithwick’s, Blue Moon, 4 Hands Incarnation and more. Domestic cans and bottles range from $1.50 to $4.25, with unbeatable happy hour deals Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 p.m. to close with $1 off drafts and wells, plus bucket specials. Get ready for an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day celebration with live music under the tent on March 15, featuring a DJ and Biscuits and Gravy, followed by Johnny Chase performing on March 17.

1250 Bryan Road, O’Fallon, 636.294.5525, theirishgypsybar.com

MARCONI MERCATO

At this new Italian hotspot on the Hill, The wagyu sliders pair beautifully with Civil Life Rye Pale Ale, as the tenderness of the wagyu and richness of the caciocavera cheese complement the beer’s hoppiness. Burrata di puglia is a perfect match for 2nd Shift Bella Birra, a light lager that enhances the basil olive oil without overpowering the burrata and grilled Italian bread. Fritto Misto All’Italiano shines alongside Peroni, allowing the crispy shrimp, calamari and scallops to stand out. Carciofi Fritti finds balance with 4 Hands Incarnation, whose slight bitterness complements the fried artichokes. Schlafly Kölsch enhances the silky steak and truffle oil in Tagliata Al Tartufo.

2030 Marconi Ave., St. Louis, 314.380.9003, marconimercato.com

SQUARE ONE BREWERY & DISTILLERY

This craft brewery and distillery in Lafayette Square is dedicated to brewing exceptional beers and distilling small-batch spirits. With a rotating selection of seasonal brews, guests can enjoy everything from refreshing summer ales to rich winter stouts. The expertly curated beer and cocktail-paired dinners offer a unique dining experience, perfectly matching handcrafted drinks

with each course. The craft cocktail menu, elevated by a passionate bar manager, features well-balanced libations for every palate. With a team of knowledgeable and courteous servers, many of whom have been there for over a decade, the commitment to excellent service is undeniable.

1727 Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.231.2537, squareonebrewery.com

THE GRAMOPHONE

The Gramophone started in March 2008 as an intimate concert club in The Grove, hosting over 1,500 incredible shows before shifting gears in 2015 to become a sandwich pub. Now, the focus is on crafting great sandwiches, serving up an impressive selection of 20 beers on tap, plus rotating bottles and cans, from local craft brews to national lagers. Live music and DJs still bring energy to the space, along with a pool table and pinball. The dog-friendly patio showcases local art, and the full sandwich and soup menu is available till 1 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11:30 p.m. Sunday. 4243 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.531.5700, gramophonestl.com

URBAN CHESTNUT BREWING CO.

Released in April 2024, Zwickel Light is a true light lager with just 95 calories and 3.7 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving, rivaling national brands while delivering superior flavor. Brewed with 100% barley malt, it offers a crisp, clean and refreshing taste with more depth than typical mass-produced light lagers. This local beer quickly became the largest new craft brand in the region, surpassing even national craft entries. As the fastest-growing light beer in the area, Zwickel Light is already UCBC’s No. 2 brand, second only to the flagship Zwickel Bavarian Lager, with a bright future ahead.

Multiple locations, urbanchestnut.com

WESTPORT SOCIAL

What goes best with interactive games, great food and sports on big screens? Beer, of course. Westport Social is where beer lovers gather for 20 taps, including some pours new to STL. Try 3 Floyd’s Gumballhead, an Indiana-brewed American White Wheat Pale Ale giving grapefruit and peach aromas with a lemony finish. Another interesting win is that guests enjoy more Avery White Rascal than any bar in the nation outside the brewer’s Colorado home. Come challenge your friends in the game lounge and win the night with a bigger, better beer selection.

910 W. Port Plaza Drive, St. Louis, 314.548.2876, westportsocial-stl.com

THE IRISH GYPSY BAR AND GRILL

stuff to do MARCH

BY AMANDA BRETZ

Women’s Day Pop Up Market

March 8 – noon to 5 p.m., Perennial Artisan Ales, 8125 Michigan Ave., St. Louis, Facebook: Women’s Day Pop Up Market at Perennial Artisan Ales

On International Women’s Day, drop by the Women’s Day Pop Up Market put on by Minx Monster Markets at Perennial Artisan Ales. The market will feature over 20 local vendors, food from Big Mouth Sandwiches and amazing beer from Perennial. Free admission.

Slipping into Darkness

March 8 – noon to 4 p.m., 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 S. 8th St., St. Louis, 4handsbrewery.com

Enjoy beer, food and live music at Slipping into Darkness Stout Festival at 4 Hands Brewing Co. Attendees of this ticketed annual celebration of stouts will get the chance to sample all 4 Hands stouts and guest taps, a

commemorative stainless 9-ounce cup for tasting and a gift. Food may be purchased separately. Tickets available online. Don’t miss the pre-party on March 7 featuring a free show by St. Louis’ own The Mighty Pines.

Cousins Maine Lobster Pop Up

March 8 – noon to 9 p.m., 2nd Shift Brewing, 1601 Sublette Ave., #2, St. Louis, cousinsmainelobster.com

Cousins Maine Lobster food truck is rolling into St. Louis from Chicago for one day only. Head to 2nd Shift Brewing to try Cousins’ famous dishes like lobster rolls, lobster grilled cheese and lobster tacos before they head back to the Windy City.

Disney Trivia

March 12 – 7 p.m., Hidden Gem, 3118 Locust St., St. Louis,

drinkhiddengem.com

Test your knowledge of all things Disney, from animated films to Disney Channel TV series and theme parks at the Disney Trivia night at Hidden Gem. Trivia is free to play and welcome to teams of any size, but space is limited, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or sign-ups necessary. Stop in early to enjoy happy hour at Hidden Gem from 4 to 7 p.m. to get $2 off all specialty drinks, half off wine, $4 mystery shots and $3 domestic beers.

Shamrocks & Shenanigans

March 15 – 1 p.m., Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, stlballparkvillage.com

Head to Ballpark Village for Shamrocks & Shenanigans, a St. Patrick’s Day party that includes live music by The Red Headed Strangers, drink specials, DJs in every venue and

more. Tickets unlock discounted drink specials from 1 to 5 p.m., but are not required for entry. Tickets available online.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

March 17 – 9 a.m., 1422 Brock St., St Louis, dogtownunited.org

The Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival highlights the unique spirit and celebrated history of the Dogtown neighborhood of St. Louis. The festival will feature food and drinks from numerous vendors, live music and familyfriendly activities and games. The annual Ancient Order of

Hibernians parade includes floats with Irish dancing, music and salutes to Irish history and culture.

Fish Fry Festival

March 21 to 22 – times vary, Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, broadwayoysterbar.com

Broadway Oyster Bar is hosting a Fish Fry Festival for two days, Friday and Saturday, March 21 to March 22. Friday, the festivities kick off at 4 p.m., and on Saturday the event begins at noon. This event is free to attend. Find more details online.

The Office 20th Anniversary Night

March 22 – 6 p.m., Work & Leisure, 3015 Locust St., St. Louis, Facebook: Tenacious Eats

Calling all fans of the TV show The Office, Tenacious Eats presents “The Office” 20th Anniversary Night at Work & Leisure. This ticketed event includes snacks, corporate boxed dinner, five rounds of The Office trivia, prizes for best look alike, best table Office Olympics, Sumo Suits and games. There will also be specialty cocktails available for purchase. Seating is limited and space cannot be guaranteed unless purchased in advance. Tickets available online.

GENT L Y NOW

3 products to try if you’re canna-curious but don’t want to get high

by Lauren Healey

Are you intrigued about the potential benefits of cannabis but not interested in the high? There are plenty of products that offer the medicinal plant’s benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC. Whether you’re looking for relief, relaxation or skincare support, here are three great options to explore.

Hugs cannabis salve

Hugs cannabis salve is a new product that provides localized, non-psychoactive relief while deeply hydrating and supporting skin repair. Designed for recovery, it interacts with the skin’s endocannabinoid system for gradual, sustained effects. Crafted with emu oil for enhanced absorption, THC distillate for targeted pain relief, and essential oils like lavender, chamomile and helichrysum for anti-inflammatory support, it offers a natural approach to soothing discomfort. Beeswax forms a protective barrier, locking in moisture and nutrients. hipposcannabis.com

Cooling Topical CBD Roll-On

The Cooling Topical CBD Roll-On is designed to soothe occasional aches, support recovery and nourish the skin. Infused with full-spectrum hemp extract, terpenes and rich fatty acids, this cooling roll-on blends the power of CBD with botanicals like jojoba, green tea and licorice root for deep hydration and restoration. Featuring a dual-action formula with cooling menthol and warming camphor, it absorbs quickly for targeted relief, while antioxidant-rich extracts help promote skin health and radiance. Free from fragrances, dyes, sulfates and parabens, this product can be applied in the morning to prepare for the day or after exercise to aid recovery. pluscbdoil.com

OM CBD Epsom Salts

Relax and recharge with OM’s all-natural CBD Epsom Salts, a perfect addition to your at-home spa routine. Infused with broad-spectrum hemp CBD, therapeutic-grade essential oils and pharmaceuticgrade Epsom salts, this award-winning soak soothes the body and mind. 100% vegan, cruelty-free and free from harsh chemicals, OM’s salts are crafted with premium ingredients like aloe vera, Vitamin E, and a nourishing oil blend. Available in calming blends like Lavender, Rose Geranium, Arnica and Recovery, each formula is relaxing and fragrant. Our favorite was the Recovery blend, which somehow pinpointed areas of distress and cooled them. You can use the full bag but the fragrance is quite potent, especially the Recovery scent, so you might want to start with a half bag and work your way up. om-wellness.com

WOOFIES HOT DOGS

BY AMANDA BRETZ

There are some places that are so iconic and have been a part of a neighborhood’s landscape for so long that it can be hard to recall a time when it wasn’t there. One such place is Woofies Hot Dogs, located at the intersection of Woodson and Brown Roads in Overland.

At first glance, the small hot dog eatery with its prominent drive-thru and brightly colored exterior gives off a distinctly vintage vibe. And if you opt to walk through its doors instead of visit the drive-thru, you’ll find an order counter

and seating for a dozen guests. Upon closer inspection of the interior, you will see that the vintage aesthetic is more than just a vibe, since pieces of Woofies history line the orange-colored walls inside.

There are autographed headshots in frames that feature famous athletes, local media and celebrities that have visited Woofies, along with previous newspaper articles and media coverage documenting various points in the establishment’s nearly five decades of serving hot dogs.

Over the years, the establishment has changed hands a few times. Ian O’Leary owns Woofies with his mother Mary O’Leary, along with Ian’s stepdad Craig Smith. The O’Leary family have been the owners of the place for about a decade, and they purchased it from Paul Fitzgerald. Prior to that, Charlie Eisen was the original owner of Woofies, and he opened it in 1977. According to the St. Louis podcast Lost Tables, the building was originally opened by the Shriber family, who operated a number of burger drive-in restaurants in St. Louis called

Hamburger Heaven. The Shribers opened the Woodson Road location in 1958 and closed it in 1973.

“It’s one of those places that you have to preserve the historic vibe of,” O’Leary shared when speaking of the establishment’s orange and mustard yellow color scheme.

Woofies is known for serving Vienna brand dogs, which are an all-beef variety made in Chicago. Since Woofies has served so many of the brand’s hot dogs, the eatery is now listed in the company’s

Hall of Fame, an honor an establishment can earn from selling lots of dogs over an extended period of time.

On the menu, Woofies serves up a number of hot dogs and sausages, as well as Italian beef sandwiches and burgers. When it comes to sides, the eatery sticks with the classics like fries, served plain, with cheese or topped with chili and cheese. Guests can also choose from beef tamale, a cup or bowl of chili, chips or a whole pickle.

The hot dog offerings include The Woofie Dog, which is an authentic Chicagostyle dog featuring a Vienna beef dog on a poppyseed bun, topped with yellow mustard, a pickle spear, green relish, tomato, chopped onion, sport pepper and celery salt. O’Leary said another popular hot dog offering is the Coney Style, topped with chili, onions, American cheese and pickle, or the New York Nathan Style, which is a split and grilled dog that is topped with brown mustard, relish and sauerkraut.

And if bratwurst or Polish sausages are more to your liking, the menu features a Coney Polish as well as a Chicago Style Polish. For those that like it hot, try the Fire Dog Hot Link, which is a spicy Vienna, deep-fried and served Chicago-style.

Given the establishment’s roots as a burger spot, O’Leary said he’s added to the

burger offerings that were already in place. Currently, the menu features a core menu of five burgers, with a number of burger specials available for a limited time.

Some of the selections include the Woofie Burger, a play on the concept’s signature dog, but on a hamburger patty. There’s also the popular Signature Double that comes with American cheese, pickle, onion and the establishment’s signature house-made burger sauce, as well as the bacon-Swiss burger, which comes with grilled onions and mayo. There’s also a traditional burger that features the classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and the typical burger condiments.

Another food change that O’Leary has implemented is putting a plant-based option on the menu. Woofies serves a vegan dog that is made locally by Vegan Deli and Butcher, which O’Leary said is delicious and tastes “very close” to a hot dog made from meat.

Besides the food, O’Leary credits his team and the eatery’s dedicated customer base, with some regulars visiting the restaurant four times a week, as a reason for the business’s continued success. “Our team is incredible and works to get customers their food quickly, while providing a consistent experience,” he said.

1919 Woodson Road, Overland, 314.426.6291, Instagram: @woofieshotdogs