Augusta Brewing Company

This one was a chance find, and a good one.  I envisage a return visit, but next time by bicycle.  But more about that later.

Her Indoors fancied a drive out to Augusta, Missouri: it had appeared as #3 on the list of picturesque drives from St. Louis, and we had already done #1 and #2.  Apparently, it is a cute town on top of some bluffs over the Missouri River and is at the center of many wineries.

We arrived in Augusta around noon on a 90 degree day, and the town was deserted.  It was quaint enough, in a boondocks kind of way, but there was nothing going on.  We drove around, and found the much advertised Augusta Winery which looked nice, if you like that kind of thing.  However, they did not serve food, but the people at the winery were kind enough to point us to the brewery, which was the only restaurant in town.

Down the hill we drove, until we came upon the Katy Trail, a former railway line now bike path that runs 237.7 miles across Missouri.  We parked near many bicycles, and turned our heads to look back up the hill at the voices coming from a cabin-like bar in the woods.

Augusta Brewing Company seemed to be full of cyclists: it was certainly the sweatiest and most spandex-y bar I have ever been in.  They serve food, so we took a table.

I first tried the Weizenbock.  It had a slightly cloudy straw color. It had a the usual fruit flavors of a wheat beer, with a warm alcohol body (7.4%) and a tart finish. But it was a good B+ beer, which was a real surprise.

Next up, was the Maibock which had a deep amber color and thin head. German yeast, fruity and again alcohol foward but a pleasant quaff. Malt, some citrus, tangerine, or was that satsuma? 7.1%.  

Her Indoors had the "1856 IPA"which she described as well balanced and thirst quenching. She felt that it was low-ish in IBUs (35 or so), but was hoppy enough so that "you don't taste that watery Budweiser ballpark beer flavor." No wonder: it is 6.7%. 

Anyway, the brewery was a great find: the food was decent, and the kids were very happy to partake of the Gatorade that many of the more depleted cyclists were also chugging.  We also had a pleasant post-prandial walk along the trail until I got stung by a bee.

So, the plan is, one kid-free day, I will drive my bike to a spot further up the Katy Trail, cycle 25-30 miles to this lovely brewery, sample many of their wares, and then cycle the 30-35 miles back (accounting for some zig-zagging).