Every once in a while, a St. Louis brewery makes national waves. This time, it’s Blue Jay Brewing Co., which has just been named one of three finalists for Brewery of the Year by VinePair in its 2025 Next Wave Awards. Not bad for a brewery that only opened its doors in late 2023.
My First Visit
I popped in not long after they opened, around 3 in the afternoon — early for a pint, maybe, but I wasn’t alone. That said a lot. What struck me was the simplicity of the room. You walk in past the brewing equipment (like the old Center Ice Brewery), into a space full of warm wood, steel touches, and one of the nicer bars in the city. And I like a good bar.
The Beer
Blue Jay is run by Jason and Nicole Thompson, and they’ve planted their flag with lagers. Jason, a veteran of Urban Chestnut, knows how tough they are to brew — and that’s why I love them. Lagers don’t let you hide mistakes. Their Little Bird lager is proof of how well they’re doing it: crisp, balanced, and already a standout in the city.
4 More to Check Out
Beyond Little Bird, here are four Blue Jay brews worth your time:
-
Okay! (4.9% ABV) – A Bavarian-style hefeweizen brewed with Seitz Farm noble hops. Fruity and phenolic, with banana bread and clove notes.
-
Monarchs (5% ABV) – A Munich Dunkel lager, decoction-mashed for rich malt complexity. Hints of chocolate and caramel, smooth and balanced.
-
Therese (5.1% ABV) – A German-style Märzen, amber and toasty with biscuit notes, medium-bodied and rich without being heavy.
-
High Five (4.9% ABV) – A German Pilsner brewed with noble hops. Crisp, floral, herbal, with a peppery finish and a touch of citrus.
Why It Matters
To be named Brewery of the Year just two years in says a lot. Blue Jay isn’t chasing hype stouts or neon-fruited sours. They’re making clean, consistent, beautiful beer and giving Midtown a spot that feels both fresh and familiar. With room for about 50 inside, another 50 in the Biergarten, and plans to bottle and self-distribute down the line, this is only the beginning.
Bottom line
National beer media just confirmed what many of us already knew — Blue Jay Brewing is the real deal. If you haven’t been yet, grab a seat at the bar, order a Little Bird (and maybe a High Five), and taste why the national spotlight is on Midtown.
