"We accomplished the goals we wanted, to change the beer culture in St. Louis and make the community better for everyone," he said. "I have 25 years of amazing memories that are priceless."

Kopman, who lives in Clayton, said he has not yet determined if he'll keep working in the beer industry. "I don't honestly know where I'm headed," he said.

Kopman noted that in the past quarter century, Schlafly Beer grew revenue to $20 million.

"A friend and mentor once said to me, no matter what you do, leave it better than you found it," Kopman said. "I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to do just that."

Tom Schlafly, the company's chairman, said the brewer wouldn't be in existence without Kopman.

After being impressed by European beer while visiting England in the early 1980s, Tom Schlafly mentioned the beer to his former law partner, Charles Kopman, Dan's father, who told him that his son worked at a brewery in London. Dan Kopman returned to St. Louis, where he and Tom secured the region's first microbrewery license.