GatewayRedbirds.com

The Brown was a lot better the last time I had it than it was the first two times. No idea how it used to be, as these three times were over the last year and a half. I really like the Kristal Weizen. The best thing to get at flat branch is the beer sampler: Six 5oz beer samples for $6.

It used to be lighter and delicious, then they started messing with the recipe. It's still pretty good, but about four (?) years ago it was one of my favorite beers. I haven't been there in maybe a year I don't think though.

"Would you like another round of ... flights?" The sampler is money.

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abstract backpack vegan skateboards, etc

Especially on the first Thursday or Friday afternoon of the NCAA basketball tournament.

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"Give me the errors of enthusiasm!"
--Casey Stengel

Enjoyed a spontaneous stop today at Augusta Brewery (MO)

Bear with - I don't know beer lingo very well.

Being a sunny summer afternoon, i went with the lighter beers, and only got two deep into their beer list - the Blond Ale and Hefeweizen. The hefeweizen was average at best, sort of bland -had the haze, but not much of the fruity flavor typical of hefeweizen (even with a piece of orange in it).

The Blond Ale was pretty good IMO. its described as a Koslch and it had an aftertaste that I sort of liked but won't try to describe. I rate it more favorably than Schlafly's Koslch.

I overheard and noticed people favoring their Tannhauser product, (merits a return visit for)

Ultimately both beers tasted great because I enjoyed the locale - nice kicked-back garden/natural setting with the Katy Trail right down the path. They had a nice variety of food on the menu too that went well with the beer, and served efficiently.

Due to my limited posting capabilities recently, I will keep this brief.

Red Lodge Ales; Red Lodge, MT: Big fan of this place. Big new location, great beers, great sammiches.

Snake River Brewing; Jackson, WY: Beer was pretty good. Food was kinda poor.

Wind River Brewing; Pinedale, WY: Only had a beer here, and it was a decent imperial stout.

Bitter Creek Brewing; Rock Springs, WY: Bad food, and sub-par beer.

Lazlo's; Lincoln, NE: Pretty good food. My beer was fairly meh.

Technically not a brewpub, and technically I'm not Popeye - but finally made a trip to local brewer/winery Charleville (southwest of Ste Genevieve).

The main thing -Beers -grade B minus ( above-average overall but not spectactular)
The Hoptimistic IPA quite good. A new brew they tentatively are calling Double-Hop is real good. They do ok with the darker beers too but if only they could get at least some fizz/head to Tornado Alley and their Dorian Abbey. Their wheat beer I steer clear of as I do with most. Explicit APA good. Friend tried the pilsner and it must have been sad. All in all a good effort.


The place -Grade A simply great- you drive up windy gravel road for about a mile to get to it. Rustic country feel and nice older gent and crew (presumably owners) pulling the taps. No food cooked there, but has the typical assortment of cracker cheese sausage etc.

Typical tasting room inside with nice picnicky feel outside. A lot like neighboring Chaumette Winery but not as big (which apparantly you can make a 3/4 mile hike to sober up -and get more substantial food. A great place to waste an afternoon.

Designated driver probably required.



Crown Valley Winery looks like they have a substantial brewing operation going. We did not partake. Future stop.

I give up. I take in 6-packs of these 2 fine Colorado microbrews to share with my St. Louis family and they universally snub their noses at them because they are not Bud Freakin' Light. I will never understand this.

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"I love to play this game of baseball - I love putting on this uniform."

Bring those Odell Brewing products to me next time.

I've seen the 90 Schilling at Schnucks before. That kind of caught me off guard.

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There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.
-John L. Sullivan, Sullivan's Travels (1941)

I guess you'll have your guard up the next time you venture into Schnuck's.

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