Received an email recently from someone looking for a beer called Lion Stout:

I live in St. Louis, but I used to tend bar at a place in Wisconsin that housed a selection of over 450 beers. While there, I developed a love of a Sri Lankan beer called Lion Stout. I am desperately trying to locate some of this beer in St. Louis, but so far with no luck. I was hoping maybe you knew of a place that carries Lion stout, or at least knew of a place that might. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

Any help for this reader?

For those of you that missed the Schlafly Stout and Oyster Festival last weekend at the Tap Room, Whole Foods has got you covered.  On Saturday, March 15th, Whole Foods will be holding their own Oyster Festival.  According to Ric Syberg, the Culinary Director at Whole Foods in Brentwood, they’re going to be offering 12 different types of oysters from both of the coasts.  They’ll be serving them up as Po’Boys, fried oysters, Rockefeller and I’m sure on the half shell.  Schlafly stouts will also be available.

If this isn’t enough to wet your whistle, the best part is that it’s all free.   All of this will be on the sales floor, near the seafood case (which is also near the beer case.)  Stop in, have some oysters and buy some beer from Andy.  I bet he even has some special stuff in back for you if you ask nicely.

If you’re a fan of black beers and bivalves, Schlafly has the weekend you’ve been waiting for. This Friday (5:00 p.m.-Midnight) and Saturday (Noon-Midnight) is the 2008 Schlafly Stout and Oyster Festival.

Schlafly is flying in over 25,000 oysters not to mention shuckers from both coasts to demonstrate to you their shuckin’ skills. If the tantalizing thought of oysters isn’t enough, they’ll also be offering three of their stouts:  Nitro Irish Stout, Oatmeal Stout and the Coffee Stout.  (Unfortunately, the Imperial Stout isn’t part of this festival.)

These events are always a lot of fun, but they’re also extremely busy.  If you’re interested in going I’d make sure you allot plenty of time to waiting for a table.  You can always have a few beers at the bar and play some darts, after all that’s what we did for Cod and Cask.