Moving to St. Lou (St. Louis, St. Charles: transplants, house, wedding)

[scocar]

I moved to the St. Louis area just a few months ago. We have a 6th grader and a 3rd grader. We live in Webster Groves and really like it. The kids have adjusted really well. I'm a beer geek myself and have been a little disappointed in the beer selections. This is clearly a Budweiser town, and most patrons order "buckets of Bud". So that is what the bars tend to cater to. But there is a local craft brewery called Schlafly that most bars will have on tap. The one thing about Webster is that some establishments seem to cater to a more upscale crowd. So I had to pop around to find the pubs that fit me. But there are not shortage of them a short drive away in Brentwood, Maplewood, and Kirkwood.

[stlcitygirl]

^You do know there are like 10 microbreweries in the city, right?

[scocar]

Originally Posted by stlcitygirl

^You do know there are like 10 microbreweries in the city, right?

I am aware of some of them, but have not had the chance to check them out yet. Most of my experience has been at the sports bars in the area. I just know that in Denver, where I visit frequently, they have many of their local microbrews available at the other local establishments and at stores. So you don't have to go directly to the tap room to enjoy them. Have not noticed that here, except for Schlafly.

[BoomBoxing]

Not sure which bars you've been going to but that's definitely true in St. Louis too. Heck, the bar at the hotel I was just staying at in Westport had an Urban Chestnut tap!

[scocar]

Originally Posted by BoomBoxing

Not sure which bars you've been going to but that's definitely true in St. Louis too. Heck, the bar at the hotel I was just staying at in Westport had an Urban Chestnut tap!

It is possibly more a function of me really not knowing anyone here in St. Louis that knows the craft brew market that well. In Denver I have a friend so he knows the places to go. I don't look over the bar and check the taps out, but whenever I ask it's usually the same old answer (Bud, Bud Light, Bud Select, Guinness, and Schlafly)

[scocar]

So after being corrected regarding the STL craft brew market I decided to do some research and then check some of them out. My first stop was Square One in Lafayette Square. Tried four of their beers (Summit IPA, Harvest Hop IPA, Pumpkin Spice Ale, and Maple Stout). They were all good, with the Pumpkin being my favorite (which surprised me) and the Maple Stout being my least favorite. I will definitely be back as they are currently brewing a Strong Ale, and soon will be starting their Single Malt Scotch Ale. Nice place.

[flynavyj]

Can't remember the names, but there's a small brew shop around the Belleville, IL area, along with one in Fergeson. I've had the O'Fallon brewery stuff a few times, it's ok...their "smoked stout" was rather interesting...tasted/smelled like it came out of the smoker with some yummy meat....very different.

[amitee]

Thank you all for the great info. Keep the suggestions coming! Starting to look forward to the move and trying the local brew.

[marigolds6]

I am a little late to the conversation, but Eureka is the dominant public school lacrosse program in the region (the state really as far as public schools go). Marquette, Lafayette, and Clayton also have descent high school programs (in basically descending order), but not on the tier of Eureka and the top private schools.

Chaminade and MICDS are the best two private school teams, with St Louis University High close behind. All of those schools are pretty expensive though.

[BrookysMommy]

Kirkwood is awesome! We have great night life, shopping, strolling. The area is beautiful. The park just got redone, the high school has renovations and the lower schools are under renovation right now. Fun places to hang out, very teen/preteen friendly.