Compiled by Noah Jodice with information from the St. Louis Brewers Guild

Not so long ago, you could count the number of craft breweries in St. Louis on one hand, and when people called us a beer town, you knew they meant the big brewery on Pestalozzi Street.

Today, the St. Louis region counts at least 34 craft breweries on either side of the Mississippi — and hardly a month passes without word of another brewery joining their ranks. And it’s not just a matter of quantity. St. Louis brewers are producing an astounding variety of beers, from reverent versions of classic styles to audacious combinations of unexpected ingredients. Our brewers are winning national awards, and some of their limited-edition beers are among the most coveted by beer geeks everywhere.

Here, from Go! Magazine, is a guide to the current roster of St. Louis craft beer, including profiles of brewers and a guide for newcomers. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite local brew and enjoy.

2nd Shift Brewing

2nd Shift is currently a production-only microbrewery with a sense of humor. Find the beer at restaurants around New Haven and St. Louis. It plans to open a brewery and tasting room at 1601 Sublette Avenue by the end of summer.

Where 1401 Olive Road, New Haven • Phone 1-573-237-3421 • Website 2ndshiftbrewing.com • Hours N/A

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4 Hands Brewing Co.

Opened in 2011, 4 Hands features four year-round brews, as well as several seasonal offerings. There’s also a restaurant with food by the Fifth Wheel.

Where 1220 South Eighth Street • Phone 314-436-1559 • Website 4handsbrewery.com • Hours Noon-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-midnight Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday

4204 Main Street Brewing Co.

Equal parts brewery and restaurant, Main Street has two locations. Their menu is also brew-specific, with pairings listed for most dishes.

Where 180 EastCenter Drive, Alton; 4204 West Main Street, Belleville • Phone 618-465-7260 (Alton); 618-416-7261 (Belleville) • Website mainstreetbrewingco.com • Hours Belleville: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday; Alton: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

Alpha Brewing Co.

A downtown St. Louis microbrewery and tasting room. For those who prefer to snack and drink, Alpha has a bring-your-own food policy.

Where 1409 Washington Avenue • Phone 314-621-2337 • Website alphabrewingcompany.com • Hours 4-10 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 3-11 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 2-8 p.m. Sunday

Augusta Brewing Co.

Featuring John G’s Tap Room, Augusta also has some professional ties to Square One Brewery and Distillery through founder Steve Neukomm. Augusta was named in honor of Georgia’s first brewery, which closed after Prohibition.

Where 109 West Main Street, Washington, Mo. • Phone 636-239-5010 • Website facebook.com/augustabrewing • Hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

A brewery focused on traditional American beer. Bastard Brothers started as a home brewing project in 1989 and just unveiled the company in June. The brewery is opening soon.

From the brewery: We brew our Traditional American Beers using ourBR5 brewing process, this is what separates the Bastards from all other beers, combined with the finest ingredients creates a great tasting American beer. The smoothness of each swallow is unsurpassed. Experience our quality beer for yourself, go grab your favorite bastard and enjoy.

Where High Ridge, MO. • Phone N/A • Website bastardbrothersbrewery.com • Hours N/A

Cathedral Square Brewery

A St. Louis brewery with a religious inclination. Its brews include such biblical stalwarts as the Canes of Judas and the Ave Maria.

Where 3914 Lindell Boulevard • Phone 314-803-3605 • Website cathedralsquarebrewery.com • Hours N/A

Stuart Keating changes Earthbound's beers weekly Stuart Keating’s pet peeve is returning to a bar only to find that it is offering the exact same beer selection as when he was there last.

Earthbound Brewing

Earthbound brews what it admits to be some strange concoctions. It has a rotating beer list featuring a Thai Basil IPA and a chicken-and-waffles-flavored beer.

Where 2710 Cherokee Street • Phone 314-769-9576 • Website earthboundbeer.com • Hours 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-1:30 a.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday

Excel Brewing Co.

Known primarily for its line of sodas, Excel also makes its own alcoholic beverages. Much like its nonalcoholic line, Excel has a variety of styles and flavors available.

Where 488 South Broadway, Breese • Phone 618-526-7159 • Website excelbottling.com • Hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday

Exit 6 Pub and Brewery

Not just a micro-brewery, Exit 6 is a nano-brewery. Alongside their brews, they once had their own podcast, called “The Brewsroom.”

Where 5055 Highway N, Cottleville • Phone 636-244-4343 • Website exit6brewery.com • Hours 4-10 p.m. Monday, 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight Sunday

Ferguson Brewing Co.

Formerly know as Hill Brewing Co., Ferguson Brewing boasts not only beer but a full menu of bar favorites such as wings and burgers.

Where 418 South Florissant Road, Ferguson • Phone 314-254-7359 • Website fergusonbrewing.com • Hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

St. Louis and beer: A brief history The following is excerpted from “Brew in the Lou” a book published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Griesedieck Brothers

The original Griesedieck Brothers brewery commanded the St. Louis beer market for a time in the 20th century. This reincarnation of the original is still owned by the Griesedieck family.

Where P.O. Box 31203, St. Louis • Phone 314-309-3210 • Website gb-beer.com • Hours N/A

Microbrewery with tasting room and beer garden serving house beers and small selection of wines and whiskeys.

From the brewery: We are an independent craft brewery in construction that will be located on acreage in Labadie, MO. We are targeting a late Summer 2016 open date.

Where 1029 Thiebes Rd., Labadie, Mo. • Phone 636-451-6309 • Website grimmstreebrewing.com • Hours N/A

Heavy Riff Brewing

Located in the Dogtown neighborhood, Heavy Riff always has 15 beers on tap. House-made barbecue rounds out the meal.

Where 6413 Clayton Avenue • Phone N/A • Website heavyriffbrewing.com • Hours 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday (tap room open until 11 p.m.), noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday (tap room open until midnight)

A soon-to-open brewery focusing on beer styles from Northern England and the Pacific Northwest. Look for their offerings around the region in the future.

From the brewery: 7bbl Brewpub that focuses on Northwest American and British ales, as well as a full bar that highlights local Illinois products and a small, wood-fired oven for a limited menu including pizzas.

Seasonal specials: Session IPA, Northern English Brown Ale, British Pale Mild, British Dark Mild, Raspberry Wheat, and American Amber Ale

Where 116 East Third Street, Waterloo • Phone 314-458-4713 • Hours N/A

Kirkwood Station's Brian Ilg worked his way up to brewmaster This story is part of our special Craft Beer Guide, publishing Sunday in the Post-Dispatch.

Named after the historic train station across the street. Kirkwood has a wide variety of brews, as well as frequent live music in-house.

From the brewery: Nestled right off the train tracks in downtown Kirkwood Missouri, Kirkwood Station Brewing Company has been serving up award winning craft brews, delicious food, live music as well as hosting community, company and private events since 2009. Led by Brewmaster Brian Ilg and Assistant Brewmaster Devin Moore, KSB features 11 hand crafted beers on tap year round. This includes classic KSB beers like BlackBerry Wheat and Sugar Creek Lager as well as seasonal beers like the highly popular Ale Fleur One Citra IPA and the Big 5-0 Farmhouse Saison.

Brew selection: YEAR ROUND: Sugar Creek Lager, Blackberry Wheat, Midnight Train Schwarzbier, KSB Oatmean Stout, KSB IPA, KSB Marzen. SEASONALS: Ale Fleur One Citra IPA, Grass Cutter Cream Ale, KSB Belgian Witte, KSB Scottish Ale, Big 5-OH Saison

Upcoming events: Fri Aug 5th Shangri-La Band, Sat Aug 6th Battle of the Bands, Fri Aug 12 Southside Johnny, Sat Aug 13 Trixie Delight, Fri Aug 19th PettyCash Junction, Sat Aug 20th Johnny Rockitt, Fri Aug 26th Staggercat, Sat Aug 27th Rough Riders.

Where 105 East Jefferson, Kirkwood • Phone 314-966-2739 • Website kirkwoodstationbrewing.com • Hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday

Main & Mill Brewing Co.

Craft beer and classic pub fare dominate this family-owned brewery. The restaurant also includes a tasting room upstairs.

Where 240 East Main Street, Festus • Phone 636-543-3031 • Website mainandmillbrewingco.com • Hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

Growler, crowler choices grow for on-the-go beer More breweries are adding crowlers: large single-use aluminum cans that work like growlers.

Modern Brewery

Founded by two Lindbergh High School grads well-schooled in the art of brewing, Modern Brewery has a short but well-fashioned list of craft beers, as well as a tasting room.

Where 5231 Manchester Avenue • Phone N/A • Website modernbrewery.com • Hours 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Morgan Street Brewery

Located on Laclede’s Landing, Morgan Street features a reliable selection of brews, as well as several event spaces, a restaurant and a tasting room.

Where 721 North Second Street • Phone 314-231-9970 • Website morganstreetbrewery.com • Hours 4 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Narrow Gauge Brewing Co.

A Florissant-based microbrewery, whose name comes from the old West End Narrow Gauge railroad between Florissant and St. Louis, Narrow Gauge serves a small but growing list of brews.

Where 1595 North Highway 67, Florissant • Phone 314-831-3222 • Website narrowgaugestl.com • Hours 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday

O’Fallon Brewery

O’Fallon has become a mainstay on the St. Louis regional craft beer scene with a selection of both year-round and seasonal brews. Food and brews also are available at the O’Bar.

Where 45 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights • Phone 636-474-2337 • Website ofallonbrewery.com • Hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday

Though started primarily as a pizzeria, PaPPo’s has recently gotten into the beer game, after buying the former Six Row Brewery.

From the brewer: Producer of fine ales and lagers on-site at the historic Falstaff Plant No. 1 in Midtown St. Louis. All of our beers are hand-crafted at our St. Louis facility in Midtown St. Louis. You can find them on tap at all three of our locations; St. Louis, Lake Ozark, and Springfield, Missouri.

Brews: Tripel City, Coved-Out, You're My Boy Blueberry!, City Farmer, Mai Daddy, The Big PaPPo, Hop On It, Fun in the Sun, Boiler Fail, Josef's Loot, PaPPo's Little Easy, Who's Amber?, PaPPo's Blood Orange IPA, Old Hillbilly

Where 3690 Forest Park Avenue • Phone 314-833-3171 • Website papposbrewco.com • Hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday

Peel Brewing Co.

Peel’s in-house brews have been developing ever since the restaurant moved to a new location. Mostly known for its wood-fired pizzas, Peel now makes six craft brews.

Where 104 South Cherry Street, O’Fallon, Ill. • Phone 618-726-2244 • Website brewery.peelpizza.com • Hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

A-B is buying craft breweries at a frantic pace Anheuser-Busch has been buying craft breweries around the country. What does that mean for the industry?

Perennial Artisan Ales

With only two year-round brews, this microbrewery tends to focus more on seasonal, small-batch beers. It has a tasting room for those looking to try all the varieties in one place.

Where 8125 Michigan Avenue • Phone 314-631-7300 • Website perennialbeer.com • Hours 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday

Recess Brewing

Recess Brewing has a Community Supported Brewery program (including monthly growler fill-ups) and a weekly beer school. It also has a tap room for those interested in trying its brews.

Where 307 North Main Street, Edwardsville • Phone 618-692-5101 • Website recessbrewing.com • Hours 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Schlafly — The St. Louis Brewery

With two locations in St. Louis and wide distribution networks, Schlafly is one of the most well-known breweries in the region. It was also the first new brewpub to open in St. Louis since Prohibition.

Where Tap Room: 2100 Locust Street; Bottleworks: 7260 Southwest Avenue, Maplewood • Phone 314-241-2337 (Tap Room: Ext. 1, Bottleworks: Ext. 2) • Website schlafly.com • Hours Both locations: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (restaurant closes at 10 p.m.), 11 a.m.-midnight Wednesday and Thursday (restaurant closes at 10 p.m.), 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (restaurant until midnight; Bottleworks closes at midnight), noon-10 p.m. Sunday (restaurant closes at 9 p.m.; Bottleworks opens at 11 a.m.)

Founded by a husband and wife from Cape Town, South Africa, and St. Louis, respectively, Six Mile brews a variety of beers, which can be tasted in its tap room or around town.

From the brewer: Six Mile Bridge is proudly a St Louis craft brewery founded in 2015. We focus on distinctive styles & source only the best ingredients so we can confidently say that each batch you enjoy is made with integrity. Named after a hospitable village in Ireland, SixMileBridge became a resting point for those travelling between two major towns. Locals & travelers alike began to forge relationships in pubs as they shared tales of their adventures over many a pint of beer. We hope that as you enjoy our beer; you savor the relationships you have as well as venture out to make new ones. We live by the motto of the old Irish proverb: "There are no such things as strangers, only friends you haven't met yet"

Brews: Bavarian Hefeweizen, Irish Red Ale with Honey, Red IPA, Session IPA, Belgian Dubbel, Dry Irish Stout, Blood Orange Belgian Wit, French Saison

Where 11841 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights • Phone 314-942-2211 • Website sixmilebridgebeer.com • Hours 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday

Square One Brewery and Distillery

Opened in 2006, Square One has not only a wide variety of craft brews but also its own distillery. The building dates to 1883 and was once owned by Anheuser-Busch.

Where 1727 Park Avenue • Phone 314-231-2537 • Website squareonebrewery.com • Hours 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday), 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday (brunch menu 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dinner menu 4-9 p.m.)

Standard Brewing Co.

This Maryland Heights-based brewery features plenty of in-house beers, as well as a menu full of beer-infused and -inspired food.

Where 12322 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights • Phone 314-548-2270 • Website standardbrewingstl.com • Hours 3-10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday

Homebrew hobbyist turns into a full-fledged brewer at Stubborn German Brewing This story is part of our special Craft Beer Guide, publishing Sunday in the Post-Dispatch.

Stubborn German Brewing Co.

Newly opened, Stubborn German has a bar and several varieties of (primarily) German beers. It’s been documenting the journey, too, on its Facebook page. Beer is available at the in-house bar.

Where 119 South Main Street, Waterloo • Phone 618-504-2444 • Website stubborngermanbrewing.com • Hours 4:30-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday

Templar Brewing

A small but growing craft brewery with a distinctly medieval theme. The brewery is located in the Old Milton Schoolhouse, which has studio spaces for several small local businesses.

Where 1320 Milton Road, Alton • Phone 618-792-0101 • Website templarbrewing.com • Hours N/A

The Civil Life Brewing Co.

Opened in 2011, Civil Life has a wide selection of beers, as well as a commitment to environmentally friendly practices (it has solar panels on the roof). Visitors, keep in mind the pub is cash-only.

Where 3714 Holt Avenue • Phone N/A • Website thecivillife.com • Hours 4-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday

The Old Bakery Brewing Co.

The Old Bakery has five year-round, as well as several seasonal, offerings, all made organically. That’s not the only sustainable element either; the brewery uses locally sourced ingredients in its pub fare, as well as low-energy lights and recycled waste.

Where 400 Landmarks Boulevard, Alton • Phone 618-463-1470 • Website oldbakerybeer.com • Hours 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday

Trailhead Brewing Co.

Currently brewing six varieties of beer, Trailhead offers food and brews at its historic St. Charles location.

Where 921 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles • Phone 636-946-2739 • Website trailheadbrewing.com • Hours 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Sunday and at midnight Friday-Saturday)

Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.

Known for its philosophy of “beer divergency,” Urban Chestnut brews both traditional and new varieties of craft beer. The company now has two breweries in St. Louis, as well as several dedicated efforts to sustainability.

Where Grove Brewery & Bierhall, 4465 Manchester Avenue; Midtown Brewery & Biergarten, 3229 Washington Avenue • Phone 314-222-0143 • Website urbanchestnut.com • Hours 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, noon–9 p.m. Sunday (kitchen closes an hour before closing every day)

William K. Busch Brewing Co.

Home of Kräftig lager, the company is owned by Billy Busch, descendant of the first Adolphus Busch. Kraftig is an American lager, brewed according to the 1516 Reinheitsgebot, a German beer purity law.

Where 8047 Litzsinger Road, Brentwood • Phone 314-932-7911 • Website kraftig.com • Hours N/A