Festival Moves Back to Forest Park, Addition of New Breweries
For beer lovers looking to toast St. Louis’ rich brewing tradition this summer, the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival – presented by the St. Louis Brewers Guild – will return to Forest Park June 14 & 15, bringing together thousands of adults to enjoy a variety of local beer styles and cuisine from St. Louis’ finest restaurants. Now in its seventh year, the festival will feature several new elements, including:
- A return to the Central Fields in Forest Park.
- Entries from over 20 local breweries.
- Partnership with the St. Louis Brewers Guild.
Continuing the festival’s beer garden-style atmosphere, with beers arranged by style underneat two open air tents, the Forest Park’s Central Fields will provide an ideal location, enhanced by green space, plentiful parking and a unique atmosphere.
The St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival will continue to bring St. Louis brewers large and small together in one unique space. “This is a great way to experience St. Louis beer culture and tradition. It’s an opportunity to learn about different beer styles while being able to enjoy a good time with friends and family in Forest Park,” said Florian Kuplent of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. Stephan Hale, the head Brewmaster of The Schlafly Tap Room, said “The Saint Louis Brewers Heritage Festival is a grand occasion, celebrating everything that is great about St. Louis, its beer and local breweries. The brewers look forward to this gathering for a chance to try each others’ beers, see so many dedicated supporters, and make new friends. The wide variety of beer styles is exciting for everybody, giving the opportunity to embrace the goodness of all things beer in such a convivial setting. Kumbaya indeed.”
Said Anheuser-Busch brewmaster Pete Kraemer, “The festival is a special event where brewers from across the region come together to celebrate our craft and shared passion for beer. Festival-goers will have a chance to sample a variety of styles, along with some of the new experimental recipes we’ve been working on.”
The festival line-up features more than twenty members of the St. Louis Brewers Guild, including 2nd Shift Brewing Company, 4 Hands Brewing Company, Alpha Brewing, AnheuserBusch, Augusta Brewing Company, Buffalo Brewing Company, Cathedral Square Brewery, Charleville Vineyard & Microbrewery, Crown Valley Brewery, Excel Brewing, Exit 6 Pub and Brewery, Ferguson Brewing Company, Kirkwood Station Brewing Company, Morgan Street Brewery, O’Fallon Brewery, Perennial Artisan Ales, Schlafly Beer, Six Row Brewing Company, Square One Brewery, Trailhead Brewing Company, The Civil Life Brewing Company and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.
More than 80 lagers, ales, specialty beers, hybrid styles and homebrews will be available for sampling by adults 21 and older. Several of the brewers will feature their own interpretation of the festival’s showcase beer, the Classic American Pilsner, whose winning homebrew recipe was developed by Chuck Collis.
Festival enthusiasts enjoying the variety of beers crafted for the event will also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of culinary delights from several members of the St. Louis Originals – a collaboration of independently owned and operated restaurants committed to uniting local restaurants and presenting the unique flavors of St. Louis cuisine, and some of the participating Breweries Brewpubs.
Proceeds from the event will benefit The St. Louis Brewers Guild – a non-profit organization showcasing and further building the Saint Louis area as a world-class destination for great beers, educating residents, visitors and the world on the passion, dedication and great beer Saint Louis has to offer. The St. Louis Brewers Guild will use funds generated by the festival to increase beer tourism in St. Louis, and offer unique experiences for beer lovers across St. Louis. This year’s festival will include three individual sessions spread over two days:
- Friday, June 14; 6p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday, June 15; 1 p.m. – 5p.m.
- Saturday, June 15; 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale at www.stlbrewfest.com. The festival will feature a unique VIP Experience where a limited number of tickets will be available for patrons to attend the festival one hour before open to the general public. The taps will flow rain or shine, and adults 21 and older may purchase tickets and attend the festival. Tickets are $30 prior to May 15th and will increase to $35 May 16th through May 31st, $40 June 1st through 13th and $45 the day of the event. An additional $10 will be charged for a VIP ticket, which will be limited to 500 tickets per session. The festival is expected to sell out, so beer lovers are encouraged to buy tickets early.
For more information on the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival, visit www.stlbrewfest.com or e-mail contact@stlbrewfest.com.