Madagascar ’19 is back, 2nd Shift and 4204 new releases, iconic bar re-opens

… Now available at 2nd Shift Brewing Company, Grapevines: their oak-aged Brett beer on Norton grapes from Charleville Winery. This showstopper is a wonderful amalgamation of the beauty of wine without ever forgetting it’s a beer. And right of the line, fresh Brewligans is available for curbside pickup, from 12 to 6, Wednesday through Sunday. Place your online orders here.

… Civil Life Brewing is raising money to save the Sara-Lou Cafe in The Ville neighborhood. $1 of every 6 pack goes to Northside Community Housing, Inc. You can purchase a six-pack of Sara-Lou Brew in their online store. They hope to do another batch in August and then do a wider St. Louis distribution in 2021. Along with a huge event at the Civil Life.

… NEW Beer.. 4204 Main Street released a new IPA today. The Water Malone IPA is made with 15 pounds of Watermelon Jolly Ranchers. You can find it on tap today, complete with a candy encrusted rim topping. No word yet on if this beer will be bottled or canned.

The Venice Cafe To Reopen June 17

…. In the spirit of the south St. Louis tavern, the Venice Cafe is not. The Venice is a monster of its own design. The Venice swings. The Venice is hot, untamed, odd, funky, adventure, swingin’, obscure, famous, and odd. And, it’s on a corner. So it counts.

And with all that, the news has arrived that the spirit that is The Venice Cafe, is back, but with some important changes that everyone needs to know about.

Only the patio and garden spaces will be open. The staff has arranged tables and seating to best accommodate the recommended social distance between groups. Masks are required if you are not at a table, walking about, making an order, checking the scene, or going to the bathroom.

Customers are to bus their own tables.

New Around town

…. Ferguson Brewing Company has announced it’s expanding its hours and new is launching a new Growler Exchange Program. The taproom will now be open from 11 am-9 pm, Sunday-Thursday and 11 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday.  Also, they will now exchange clear or brown Ferguson Brewing growlers so you no longer have to keep buying new ones every time. They still cannot refill growlers but the exchange will give us time to properly clean and sanitize so they can be put back into the exchange rotation.

… Main & Mill Brewing Company in Festus, has updated its tap list. Now on tap is Session Season – a session farmhouse Saison brewed with wheat, lemongrass and black pepper before being fermented with a Saison yeast that gives additional notes of bubble gum and happiness – 4.0% ABV. The brewey has also updated its beer to-go lists with the following:

• Imperial Breakfast Stout bottles – $23
• Inna Guava NEIPA 32oz howlers – $10
• Pilsner (6 pack – $10)
• Green Chile Ale (6 pack – $12)
• Emergency Lager (6 pack – $10)

… Recess Brewing in Edwardsville has also updated its hours, as Illinois continues to re-open. On Friday, June 26 they will be able to open the taproom. They will be working with limited seating but will do their best to accommodate everyone in a manner that keeps our employees and customers safe. We ask that everyone wear masks when possible.