I got just enough time this lunchtime to pop into Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, St. Louis. It is housed in a large new building with a welcoming entrance and even more welcoming aroma of brewing. More than half of the building is taken up by the brewery; large glass windows show off the many stainless steel silos and kettles. It is furnished much like the Schlafly Tap Room downtown with concrete floors and sturdy wooden furniture.
I sat at the bar near six guys who appeared to be the brewers: aside from their beards, their Schlafly caps was the main giveaway. Also, they brought their own lunch boxes to the bar. I experienced very friendly service and good healthy food: I had a very pleasant quinoa and baked chicken salad.
The selection of beers not nearly as extensive as the Tap Room downtown where all the seasonals and special brews are available. There is a large gift shop in entrance, though I'm not so sure about buying my toddler a beer-themed T-shirt. There is a large pleasant terrace area too, and it was almost warm enough to sit out there. There were no cask ales which perhaps indicates that this is not a hardcore beer nerds place, but it is a very nice beer/food environment.
As is my want, I ordered a beer flight of the following: Belgian Singel (light, fruity citrus and passion fruit, with a decent head and slightly creamy finish), The Tripel (molasses, toffee, fruit, fairly spirity), the ESB (warming, malty, mild), The Pi Common, an Anchor Steam-type American pale ale, the Hefeweizen (like Fransiskaner, though a little less creamy and more astringent), and the Dry Hopped APA - not as good as the Tasmanian IPA or the American IPA in terms of hop forward, but a decent pale ale.
I highly recommend this place, particularly if you find yourself outside the St. Louis downtown area!
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