I'm not sure why we haven't been back, other than my husband isn't always a huge beer guy, but we…read morewere looking for lunch on the 4th of July in a desert since everything else seemed to be closed and this spot popped up as open. We'll definitely make an effort to stop in more considering it's 5 minutes from our house! The first time we came in, they didn't have food, so we were stoked they had options now! The beers were just as good as the first time. Fresh, and crisp. Something for everyone. And the food was amazing. We got the buffalo chicken sandwich and the flavor was so unique and incredible. The fries and fried onions were also a hit. We shared the two items and even that was way too much food. Definitely recommend. Such a cool, chill spot with an awesome patio. Great place to spend some time in the warmer months.

Delving into the St. Louis area for craft beer is never too high on my priority list but the few…read moretimes that I have tried breweries from this particular area I have always liked their beer... quite considerably I might add. Case in point with Blue Jay Brewing, the latest that I have had the feelings towards I described above. Steve and I were both very impressed with the beer we had from here. What we had was a pilsner, the High Five. In this particular flavor profile we detected some floral, herbal, some peppery notes and just a hint of citrus. Other features with this beer are biscuity, hoppy and a hint of bitterness to a broader scheme with this beer which is initially well balanced, mellow and smooth. I rated this beer highly on Untappd and definitely recommend it. I would love to try some of their other beers to see how I'd feel and rate them but so what an excellent start!

I hadn't been here for years! I think the last time was before we went to the Rolling Stones…read moreconcert. Our daughters live closer and go more often. We were hanging out with our 15 month old granddaughter for the day and decided to come here for dinner so she could get out of the high chair and move around. We sat outside since the weather was so nice. The patio is large and has tables for smaller and bigger groups. There are also some games to play out there. They have blocks and a few other things for kids to play with as well. There is a lot of seating inside, too. My husband went in and got a menu and we chose our meals. Food is ordered at one counter and beer at another. He went in and ordered our food and got a beer. I drink, but I don't drink beer! Our food was brought out to our table and it was good! My husband and I each had a burger and our granddaughter had grilled cheese. They all came with fries. We ate, my husband had another beer, we played on the patio for a while, and then we left! The vibe was good, the food was good, the beer was good - of course we'll be back!

There's a 1984 one-hit-wonder named Rockwell whose paranoid earworm still lodges in your skull: I…read morealways feel like somebody's watching me. Rockwell Beer Company earns the association honestly. I walk in wary (I don't drink beer, don't like it, and an industrial brewery hugging a busy four-lane street is not my native habitat), I get the sense I need to eat in the corner so people don't discover the non-beer drinker; however, I walked out humming. The reason is the food, sourced through Street Food by Brasas. This is not brewery food that apologizes for itself. Pretzels, wings, both worth ordering again. The pizzas (barbecue, pepperoni) land in that rare category of elevated bar snack. I'd happily return for a table's worth. It's order at the window food service, which is fine for their vibe, but it keeps the environment to a self-service lower warmth environment. We sat outside, which is nice IF you can find some shade on a hot summer evening. 3.9 out of 5 stars The atmosphere isn't built for me, but the kitchen is good enough that I'd get over it to spend an evening with my beer-drinking friends. What would push this higher: a space that compels me the way the plates do.

We came here Saturday to celebrate our friend being in town from Italy. We came in the middle of…read morethe day and there was still ample space to accommodate our large party. While I'm still developing my beer palate, I chose to get sangria but they ended up being out of it. In a last second decision, I decided to get the filthy margarita. Even though it's pre-made, it was still refreshing. They have a decent selection of food, mostly bread based, which I presume is to soak up the alcohol. I got a pretzel that comes with beer cheese. The pretzel was doughy, but had good flavor. Surprisingly, it was a nice accompaniment to my drink. Others in my party got the pizza and raved about it. All in all, it was great to catch up with old friends and be in great company. This is a great space to try a beer, eat some pizza and play games.

Such a great spot for a wide range of people. During the daytime I noticed a lot of families…read morehanging out, so it's very kid friendly. I came here with friends for trivia night on a Tuesday and it was packed. Weekly trivia nights are just such a good time, great way to hang out, be present, and put your phone down for a few hours. Highly recommend coming for that. They also have a pizza restaurant attached to the brewery which is a nice bonus. They sell pizza by the slice too which is perfect if you just want a little something to snack on while you drink. Speaking of drinks, we got beer obviously. I tried the citrus tangerine one and it was so refreshing. I also tried the vanilla cookie beer which sounds a little out there but was really interesting and yummy. The space itself is super spacious and clean. Oh also they have a lot of board games that you can play too. I would definitely come back, either for pizza, or happy hour with coworkers or to play the games there. They have pool too.

Wow this place is amazing! Has a great selection of beers with rotating selections, great food and…read morethe server we had was wonderful. Came on a Monday night and it wasn't too crowded. They did have a ticketed painting event happening which was cool to see they had those, I would consider signing up for an event in the future. I got the black bean burger with fried and a beer. Everything tasted amazing and the fries especially were great. They have a great happy hour deal I'm keen to start grabbing and I want to keep an eye out for fun events. They also have a membership, I don't remember what it's called, but you pay a flat rate and get half off beers on Mondays which seems like a good deal if you like to have a little Monday happy hour.

I'm still thinking about that burger and fries with red hot riplet seasoning!…read more We've gone to Alpha Brewing before for some drinks. But this time, we heard that they had Mingo (Meat Bingo) on the last Thursday of the month, so we had to go! The place was packed, the drinks were plenty, and I did win a round of Mingo, so I definitely left happy! The Mingo caller was so silly and fun! They made everyone feel welcome and the vibes were awesome. Also shoutout to Human Coupon! Our waiter was awesome, even when the place was super packed!

I think I have a new favorite brewery FOR SURE. Met up with a friend for happy hour and then played…read morebingo for plants. The brewery is quite large with a decent outdoor area. I liked my beers! Their sour was super interesting and funky and I'm still thinking about it. They also have sparking water they brew with their hops which is super yummy! Not only was the staff chill (including the co-owner who was calling bingo!) but the other patrons were super nice too. All around good vibes and good beer at 2nd Shift. Plus it's family owned! What's not to love!!

Came for the weenier dog meet up for national hot dog day! We got some great interesting beers and…read moresome delicious bone broth curry and fries. Never had something like that before! Lots of searing. When we came it was quite busy but if you went when there isn't a meet up it'll probably be easier to get a spot.

Great spot, good vibes and fantastic beer. Really nice beer selection and if not a beer drinker…read morethey do have a good selection of other beverages from canned cocktails to THC drinks. Burgers are delicious. Nice game/TV space upstairs.

My extended family rented out the second floor of 4 Hands Brewing to use during a celebration of…read morelife gathering for one of my family members. I came with my parents and husband and we all agreed it was a great idea and a very comfortable space, perfect for what was needed. I was surprised at how relatively ample the parking was here despite its proximity to the city. We found a spot with no problems. There were discreet signs that directed us up the stairs to where the event was held. It was spacious, airy, and cool, with a decent number of tables and a very nice large bar, as well as restrooms for both men and women. Our family members who spoke were able to stand on a small stage and share their thoughts. The food was served buffet style in front of the stage. Although you'd think it might be hard to hear given the acoustics, they worked out a way to make it so their speeches could be heard easily. Even visiting with other folks after they spoke, it never became too loud to hear each other. There are also nice TVs which displayed photos of the family. Although we used the space for a celebration of life, I can imagine it would be a good fit for all sorts of events, from corporate parties to just a chill hang out space when it's open to the public. It did get a little bit hot in the space as the event wore on, but it wasn't intolerable. The food and drinks were also quite tasty, especially for catered/buffet style food. There were pretzel bites and cheese dip and three different types of slider burgers: a standard/original burger, a taco burger, and an Impossible burger. The pretzel bites were crispy and buttery. I had a taco burger slider. It was a tiny bit dry but had a great flavor. The bartenders were great -- friendly, answering questions, working efficiently, and very kind to all the guests. Husband enjoyed the beers he tried and my mom and I both ordered the "Cranberry Crush," which was a yummy (and strong!) cocktail that was bright and perfectly sweet. They also serve mocktails, which I love! Glad to include folks who are sober. Thanks, 4 Hands, for creating a welcoming and comfortable space for us!

I was here for an event. The space was cute! The beer wasn't bad but it wasn't labeled so I had…read moresome on accident thinking it was sweet tea. The Mac and cheese was kind of subpar but not horrible. The cornbread was pretty good. The green beans and sweet potato's were pretty good too.

I went to Urban Chestnut Wednesday night bingo several times this summer and would highly…read morerecommend. It's free and you get a free 4 pack of beer if you win. Sometimes it's busy, but other times not many people show up (like if it's rainy). Three people win every bingo round so chances are good you win at least once if it's not too crowded. I think I went 3-4 times and multiple people at my table won every time (see the picture for the 3 different packs of beer my friend and I won on one trip). I usually ordered the seasonal frozen drink since I'm not the biggest beer fan and it was always delicious. I've had a couple of their sours which were pretty good as well. They also have a food menu and I've ordered fries for the table which were super thin, crispy and delicious. I've also ordered the caesar salad which was just ok and nothing special. The service is great. The specific staff who run the bingo are super fun and foster a good vibe for bingo. When the weather permitted, bingo was outside and their outside seating is so nice. There are string lights, wooden picnic tables and an outdoor bar.

This is a great brewery in the old Lemp stables! We love this building and the way Bluewood turned…read moreit into a brewpup. It was too hot for the patio, so we sat inside. Great ambiance in either space. Lots of kids inside, so it's definitely kid friendly. I had an Apocalyptic Disco Wizard IPA and an Arch City Haze IPA, both excellent beers. My wife had a Benton Park Pils, a delicious Czech pilsner. Very friendly staff behind the bar. To eat I had one of the best smash burgers I've ever had. My wife said the chicken tenders were just OK. My only regret is that we don't live closer, but we'll be back when it's cool enough to sit outside.

St. Louis is lousy with these microbreweries--this part of town in particular, to the point where,…read moreas I ran the streets of the surrounding area, I was violently assaulted with what must be the smell of beer as it's being brewed. It's not altogether different from the smell of beer as it's coming back up, and it called to mind my illustrious, mostly-forgotten-at-this-point college years. I was suddenly compelled to listen to Cannibal Ox and watch certain videos that I'd pilfered from Kazaa, and it's probably for the best that I didn't have access to a circa 1998 Compaq Presario in that moment. The vibe in Bluewood Brewing is a lot classier. There's no "Iron Galaxy" over the PA. The lights are dimmed, which I imagine would be convenient if there was someone there you owed money to. I was particularly impressed with a long table on the patio. I remarked to a member of my running group that it almost certainly didn't come from IKEA. The wood was of too high a quality. The food menu is limited to a small selection of standard sports-bar fare, but this is not anywhere you'd go to watch the game. They might not have any TVs. Did they spend too much on the table? Also, they don't sell any beer in cans, that I'm aware of, which I generally prefer as someone who, as the evening progresses, is prone to dropping things. I went with something called Crush, which is an orange-flavored high-gravity IPA. It was the highest ABV selection on their regular beer menu, but it also costs a little bit more, so you're not really getting over on them--unless you thought to "pregame." I found it to be both less "stiff" than I was expecting and less orange-tasting, in a good way but also in a bad way, in that anything that fails to conform to expectation is at least somewhat disappointing. I was expecting paint thinner and orange juice. I got something that was balanced and flavorful. From the food menu, I got the daily special, which was a sort of elevated patty melt called the Stable Melt. It came with two all-beef patties, Swiss, caramelized onions and "Frisco" sauce on Union Loafers marbled rye, with your choice of chips or fries. It was $18, and as I was standing there a guy came out and changed the price to $19, presumably due to developments in the war with Iran. I was assured that I'd be "grandfathered in" at $18, but I'm not sure if he told the guy at the register and I didn't bother to check. It wasn't necessarily my kind of thing, but it was a great burger. The name-brand bread alone nearly justified the price increase. The meat was generously proportioned (no Diddy), but it didn't quite extend to the edges of the bread. Perhaps if it were one larger patty? The onions gave it a sophisticated Salisbury steak vibe, wholly superior to Hungry Man. The fries called to mind the fries at Wendy's. If only they offered a Frosty to dip them in. It wouldn't necessarily go with their beer. I'd suggest they put bourbon or something in it, but I shudder to think what they might charge.

Came in to try some of the fall beer line and grab a few appetizers. Both the Oktoberfest and the…read morePumpkin. The apps, beer, and service are always great! Ask for Erik:)

A few days before, at a Llywelyn's Pub, I joke-not-joked that I'd never order a burger that comes…read moreon an English muffin, because then I'd have to eat it. Yesterday, at Schlafly Tap Room, I did just that. My excuse is that I didn't read the menu as closely as I should have. I don't read well anyway, and it was late on what had been a long, difficult Monday--a manic Monday, if you will. I wished it was still Sunday. I'd just run five miles with a group that meets once a month, on the third Monday. But they alternate between here and another location, so they're not here that often, and after last night, they might not be back. Also, they might not offer a burger that comes on a regular bun. I know they have a few sandwiches that come on hoagie rolls or toast. If they just happened to a random, lone hamburger bun in the back for some reason, perhaps for emergencies, it would have been easy enough to ask them to use that instead. Their Tap Room Burger, or whatever they're calling it, is a decent-size sandwich. It just seems small because the English muffin they use isn't any bigger than one you'd get with, say, an Egg McMuffin. But the meat is nice and thick (ayo) and hangs out over the side of the, erm, bread a little bit. It's a shockingly high quality beef, better than on the last several steaks I've eaten, for what it's worth. They actually asked how I'd like it cooked. I requested medium, and would you believe they actually cooked it medium? I order a steak mid-rare, but I find that a burger benefits from just a bit more time on the grill. I'm no savage. It comes with a weird shredded lettuce (possibly a KFC Shredder) that doesn't contribute any value and a mild, melty white cheddar that's really good and really complements the beef. Clearly, the idea is for the meat to be the dominant flavor. The English muffin is neither very good nor very bad, as far as these things go. It's just a regular ol' English muffin, like you might find in a grocery store. It would have been better if it were toasted (or toasted more?) and buttered, but the butter in particular might have overpowered the subtle flavor of the beef. I suppose that if they only had one guy who knew what he was doing, it was for the best that they had him working the kitchen. The guy they had taking orders was out of his depth. You'd think that this was his first day, except he had all of these weird systems. He was very adamant that no one switch seats, like in a certain kind of fire drill, lest he get the orders mixed up. Which was very thoughtful of him, I guess, but the way he said it was like we'd done something wrong, or were in jail. He tried to count how many people wanted water (in a group of people who just ran five miles in 80-degree weather), lost count, then asked, by show of hands, who *didn't* want water. He accidentally brought an extra beer and then, instead of just leaving it for someone to drink, let us know he was gonna go pour it down a drain. LOL what a spazz. It's tragic, because this is a fairly easygoing group. All of the really crazy people I know are in another group I run with. He didn't screw anything up that badly, but he would have been better off if he did and he had a more likable personality. Hopefully, he took that extra beer in the back and drank it himself. That may have been what he needed.

Friday during Lent, I was excited to try the fish sandwich. It was busy! Lots of little groups…read moreand families. We spotted a couple of bar seats and squeezed our way in. Lively atmosphere, bartenders were welcoming and interactive. We ordered the Hot Cheese curds as an appetizer, and I got the Obscura as me beer of choice. Not going to lie, the cheese curds were as advertised! They were hot! Not so much that I couldn't handle but don't take them lightly, they are good. They came drizzled with a good ranch. The beer was great, especially with the hot cheese curds. Ordered the Friday Fish Sando with no cheese. Came out in a timely manner, large and crispy! It was messy in the best way. Crispy, beer battered cod, lettuce, and house made tarter. It was juicy on the inside with none of the batter mush you can sometimes get with fried fish, loved the house made tarter, all-around great sandwich. The fries were on point, too. Crispy but not greasy. Great space, friendly staff, good food!

This is one of my favorite breweries in STL! I am a huge fan of sour beers and side project never…read moredisappoints with their draft sours. The bartenders were so friendly and helpful in choosing which beers to order. The kitchen is also phenomenal and I love coming here for their crispy chicken sandwich. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed, so we parked across the street at side project pizza. Tables ranged from families with small children to friends watching march madness. There was a small wait for the food but it was worth it! We will be back soon