Where are my SoCo people at?  I know it seems like you don’t have some of the cool beer events that people in other parts of the metro area do, but sometimes the sun shines down and gives you something awesome.  In this case, it’s the draught release of the Founders Brewing KBS on draught tonight at the Growlers Pub in Sunset Hills.

They plan on tapping this sometime this evening, let’s say 7PM just to be safe.  And unless someone is hiding a keg somewhere from all of us, I believe this is the last of the KBS on draught in St. Louis.  So basically, if you haven’t tried it and want to, or if you have and want some more, this is probably your last opportunity this year.

For those of you who may have missed what Founders KBS is all about, here’s the description from Founders’ website:

What we’ve got here is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year, to make sure wonderful bourbon undertones come through in the finish. Make your taste buds squeal with delight.

If South County is a bit too south for you, I believe that Growlers Pub Creve Coeur still has this on draught, but I’m awaiting confirmation on that. Probably best to call before heading out. Creve Coeur ran out last night, this may be your final chance.

The weather has warmed considerably over the past month, which must mean that it’s time for a Beer Menu change at Growlers Pub. Let’s take a look at what’s new:

Draught:

• Kilkenny Irish Ale
• Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat
• Schlafly Kolsch
• Crown Valley Worktruck Wheat
• Charleville Tornado Alley Amber Ale
• New Belgium Ranger IPA
• New Belgium Skinny Dip
• Boulevard Single-Wide I.P.A.
• Lagunitas IPA

Bottle:

• Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale
• Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
• Pete’s Wicked Ale
• Ommegang Abbey Ale
• Moylan’s Tipperary Pale Ale
• Tommyknocker Alpine Glacier
• Grand Teton Sweetgrass IPA
• Goose Island Matilda 22oz
• He’brew Messiah Bold
• Dundee Original Honey Brown Lager
• Bell’s Oberon Ale
• Boulevard Pilsner
• Rogue Brutal Bitter 22oz
• Rogue Mocha Porter
• Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen
• Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA
• Point Beligan White
• Ray Hills American Pilsner
• Avery Red Point Ale
• Avery White Rascal
• New Holland Full Circle
• Southern Tier Iniquity Imperial Black Ale
• Unibroue La Fin Du Monde
• Bass G
• Fuller’s London Porter
• Old Growler Curim Gold
• Hoegaarden
• Chimay Red Cap
• Chimay White Cap
• Moinette Blonde
• St. Bernardus Abt 12
• St. Bernardus Prior 8
• Czech Rebel
• Negra Modelo

As a self-proclaimed hophead, I have to say I’m a big fan of this draught list.  Is it the best list of draught beers I’ve ever seen?  No, but for those of us that frequent Growlers Pub and love hops, we have more than just a single draught IPA option now. I’ve been told that last Fall’s addition of Red’s Rye was a big hit, maybe they’re seeing an upswing on people wanting hoppier beers.

I also enjoy the additional local beer options from Crown Valley and Charleville.  I think people are looking for new local alternatives to what they’ve had in the past, so it’s nice seeing some more local love.

As far as the bottles go, I think there have been some excellent American craft beers added.  Understandably, some of the porters and stouts of the winter have made room for some lighter beers for summer.  It’s also nice seeing some great Belgian beers like St. Bernadus Abt 12 back.

All in all, I think that Growlers is making a genuine push to put together some better beer menus. I think there is some work left to be done, but I think this is a fine start at getting back into a craft beer nerd’s heart.

If you’re looking to Erin Go Bragh tomorrow here’s a couple of places with a great beer selection that will be celebrating the national day of drinking:

The Stable:  Opening at 7AM tomorrow and will be serving up breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, corned beef hash.  A great way to start the morning.  It’s important to lay down a base.

International Tap House:  Open at 1pm; $3 Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp and Boulevard Irish Ale.  Live Music starts at 8pm.

Growlers Pub:  Both locations will be offering an all you can eat breakfast buffet from 6am to 10am that includes your choice of coffee, juice or a pint of Harp, Smethwicks, or Guinness.  The from 11am to close they’ll be offering a Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner.  Live music as well.

The Royale: Offering up a selection of  stouts, ales, whiskeys, Guinness beef stew, Bangers and Mash (meat or vegetarian) and more starting at 11:30AM.  Then from  4pm-6pm there will be live Irish music from the Gannon Junior Crew Duo.  John Gassel will provide Irish and Irish inspired music from 9pm- close. There will also be some literature readings throughout the day and other surprises as well.

Pat’s Bar and Grill: Tapping a Cask of Schlafly APA at 10 am.

If there are other locations that want their events listed, just add them to the comments section and I’ll add them throughout the day.

It’s always a great opportunity to meet the people who help make some of your favorite beers. Well, next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday you’ll be given the opportunity to meet Ron Lindenbusch and Karen Hamilton from Lagunitas Brewing Company.

The big news is that they’re bringing some draught Hop Stoopid along with them.  I’ve been told that each location listed below that offers draught beer will have this beer on draught.

Ron and Karen will be on a whirlwind trip next week and will be visiting the following locations:

Wednesday, February 24th

• Cicero’s Beer School – 5:30PM
• The Stable – ~7PM

Thursday, February 25th

• International Tap House – 7PM to 9PM

Friday, February 26th

• Wine and Cheese Place – 4PM to 6PM
• Growlers Sunset – ~7PM

If you’re still looking around for something to do on New Year’s Eve, I’m sure you’re trying to find a spot where you’ll not only have a great time, but also get some great beer. Here are a couple of different spots around town where you can have your beer and drink it too.

Schlafly Bottleworks:

Enjoy food favorites & specials from local farmers & dessert (dinner hours: 5-10pm). Live music in the Crown Room by The Foggy Memory Boys & The Wayward Mountaineers ($15-9pm) & “Naked Mike” Newman in the Bottleworks Bar (free-9pm). A midnight toast of Black Velvet, a mix of Oatmeal Stout & sparkling wine. $15 cover for the Crown Room includes live music, midnight toast & the tasting glass. No reservations necessary.

Growler’s Pub

Includes an appetizer buffet from 8 p.m.-10 p.m., open bar from 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m., party favors, champagne toast and DJ. Hotel packages available with late check-out, free shuttle and great rates! Cost is $50.

Cicero’s

Cicero’s throws everything in a pot and cooks up a New Year’s Eve that provides a little bit of something for everyone. Live music is served by Machree and the Morley’s, while hypnotists, mind readers and Tarot card readers tell you what the new year holds for you. You also get a magician or two, some comedy and a hard-working DJ rocking the dance floor. And then at midnight, blammo, Champagne toast. All this merriment is reserved for those 21 and older only, please. Cost is $35-$40.

Newstead Tower Public House

Ring in the New Year with Newstead and a Beer Dinner. Newstead is hosting its final beer dinner of 2009 featuring the favorites of 2009! The date of the dinner is December 31st. Reservations for this dinner are being accepted for the entire evening.

The cost of this five course dinner is $55 and reservations are required. You can make reservations by calling 314-535-7771.

Blueberry Hill

40 ‘Tils, Spark Treez, Fufops, Inappropriate Behavior; open bar (draft and rail), party favors & Champagne toast. Starts at 9PM. Price: $35

International Tap House

The International New Year Party – $40 per ticket 7pm-1am
Includes appetizer buffet, live music (C-Box Prophets) and complimentary select draughts from around the Globe. As different time zone around the world celebrate their new year, we will too by featuring their beers on tap (these draught features are included in the price of the ticket).
8-9pm: European Mainland (Belgium and German beers)
9-10pm: British Isles
10-11pm: Eastern Time Zone (New York and Michigan beers)
11-12pm: Central Time Zone (Missouri Beers)
12-1am: Mountain Time Zone (Colorado and Montana beers)

Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar
Just to let you know Riddles will be having live music performed by the Swirl band from 9:00 – 1:00 on New Years Eve, we will also have Prix Fixe Menu options, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight with party favors. Of course, like always, there is never a cover charge at Riddles.

Iron Barley

$65 will get you: Wine/Draft Beer Included, A Fabulous Endless Dinner Buffet, Musical Entertainment by Bob Case, and Hats, Party Favors/ Champagne at Midnight.

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If you’re a restaurant or pub that’s not on the list, drop me an email and I’ll make sure to add you on. If you’re a reader of STL Hops, keep checking back on this post for updated information. Also, if you’re going out, make sure to do it safely and order a cab in advance. We all want to be able to celebrate the next year together.

The weather has cooled considerably over the past few weeks, which must mean that it’s time for a Beer Menu change at Growlers Pub. Let’s take a look at what’s new:

Draught

• Boulevard Porter
• Schlafly Oatmeal Stout
• Founders Red Rye
• Bass
• Tin Mill Sky Scrapper
• Hofbrau Hefe
• Big Sky Moose Drool

Bottle:

• Sierra Nevada Torpedo
• Sierra Nevada Porter
• Maredsous Blonde “6″
• Koning Ludwig Hefe
• Fullers ESB
• Fullers 1845
• Flying Dog Old Scratch
• Berghoff Sundown Dark
• Berghoff Pale Ale
• Bell’s Porter
• Ayinger Ur-Weis
• Tommyknocker Pick Axe
• Tommyknocker Maple
• Tommyknocker Imp Brown
• Southern Tier IPA
• Southern Tier Porter
• Saison Dupont
• Phin & Matts
• New Holland The Poet
• New Holland Sundog
• Moylan’s Kilt Lifter
• Moylan’s Irish Red
• New Holland Mad Hatter
• Lion Stout
• Founders Porter
• Founders Dirty Bastard
• Founders Centenial
• Sam Adams Imperial White
• Monks Café Flemmish
• Gulden Drak
• Big Sky Trout Slayer
• Big Sky Scapegoat
• Big Sky IPA

While the draught list as a whole still leaves a bit to be desired (really guys, do we need 1/6th of your list devoted to some sort of wheat beer?) and the dropping of Single Wide IPA makes me a bit sad. But the addition of Red’s Rye is a fine consolation gift and makes this guy very happy.

I think the place where the largest strides have been made are in the bottle list. There are some damn fine beers from some damn fine breweries on this list. I count five American IPAs that are on the list. For us hopheads, that’s some great news.

Also nice to see some great porters and stouts on the list as well. I’m also happy to see more of a push for American craft breweries. American brewers are brewing some great beers right now and it’s good to see more of them available.

I think there are some great improvements over the last few beer menus. I think there is some work left to be done, but I think this is a fine start at getting back into a craft beer nerd’s heart.

Come get your schnitzel on and help Growlers Pub celebrate this year’s Oktoberfest.  The festivities begin at Noon on September 26th and will end at 5PM.  For $35 ($45 day of) you get to taste 30 different German beers and enjoy a German buffet.

Tickets can be purchased at either Growlers location.  See the flyer below for more details.