urbanSTL

That's really interesting to know. 

But, in my opinion, Schlafly is the worst brewery you mentioned. 

^ I used to be able to get Schlafly up here in Iowa, but I no longer can.  Probably stopped in 2016.  I don't think any St. Louis area breweries are available up here.  

Schlafly's brand has gone stale and that's a big reason those numbers are down. I sell beer for a living, and any of us will tell you that the easiest thing to sell is something new and interesting. Schlafly just doesn't do that, it rests on its laurels. Their core lineup is good, but they never make waves.

Also they are currently with Summit and that is KILLING them. That distributor has been a dumpster fire for years but the wheels have really come off the past 6 months or so.

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

Schlafly's brand has gone stale and that's a big reason those numbers are down. I sell beer for a living, and any of us will tell you that the easiest thing to sell is something new and interesting. Schlafly just doesn't do that, it rests on its laurels. Their core lineup is good, but they never make waves.

Also they are currently with Summit and that is KILLING them. That distributor has been a dumpster fire for years but the wheels have really come off the past 6 months or so.

Interesting. Can you explain for those of us unfamiliar with the distributer side of the business? Also, doesn’t the owner of Summit also own the Blues?

For what it's worth Schlafly is building a new brewpub in Illinois: https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/artic ... 459108.php 

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

Schlafly's brand has gone stale and that's a big reason those numbers are down. I sell beer for a living, and any of us will tell you that the easiest thing to sell is something new and interesting. Schlafly just doesn't do that, it rests on its laurels. Their core lineup is good, but they never make waves.

I was also going to mention, that, at least 7 years ago when I still lived in STL, Schalfly was my "go-to" brand, as I knew what I was getting.  I always enjoyed trying new beers, but never got into Civil Life or 4-Speed, as they were always seemed a little bit too specific in their styles. 

KansasCitian wrote: ↑

Oct 28, 2021

That's really interesting to know. 

But, in my opinion, Schlafly is the worst brewery you mentioned. 

Has Schlafly stumbled? Heck yeah. 

Is it "the worst"? Subjective.

the only Schlafly I ever buy is the seasonal pumpkin ale, which IMO is still the best on the market (excepting maybe some $20-per-can craft thing that I've never heard of). the stores out here get it every year and it sells out reliably.

Yeah sure A-B may not be based here anymore but this is still cool af and authentically Saint Louis.

I realize that taste is totally subjective, but I feel like Schlafly does the basics - hefeweizen, pale ale, kolsch, coffee stout - as well if not better than anyone.

debaliviere wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

I realize that taste is totally subjective, but I feel like Schlafly does the basics - hefeweizen, pale ale, kolsch, coffee stout - as well if not better than anyone.

I agree, and I'll throw in their Oktoberfest and Summer Lager

Maybe it's just a couple of bad recent personal experiences, but the trajectory of Urban Chestnut's midtown location is troubling. They're still barely open as compared to pre-pandemic hours, although they did just recently add a fourth open day per week.

Then on top of that they seem to be closing early or altogether for whatever reason every time I try to visit. If you're only open six hours per day, maybe try and keep those even if the weather isn't perfect and don't do last call 30 minutes early when you close at 6 or 7 pm.

Is this place still in their long-term plans? I always preferred it to the Grove location. It feels like an actual German brewery, down to the pea gravel.

Summit has been known in the industry to be at best inconsistent, and at worst impossible to work with. Currently they have been dealing with insane turnover, specifically among drivers, but also among reps. I've heard of deliveries being weeks late which is insane in an industry where deliveries should arrive in a few days max. Customer service is also known to be terrible, reps are inconsistent and constantly changing.

Summit has been fired by a number of bars I work with which is impressive considering the brands they represent (IE Schlafly, Blue Moon, Miller, Stag, Truly, White Claw, all of the big mexican beers, Angry Orchard, Bells, Boulevard, and plenty more that you have heard of) Most people can't work without those brands so they just suck it up and keep working with them.

eee123 wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

Maybe it's just a couple of bad recent personal experiences, but the trajectory of Urban Chestnut's midtown location is troubling. They're still barely open as compared to pre-pandemic hours, although they did just recently add a fourth open day per week.

Then on top of that they seem to be closing early or altogether for whatever reason every time I try to visit. If you're only open six hours per day, maybe try and keep those even if the weather isn't perfect and don't do last call 30 minutes early when you close at 6 or 7 pm.

Is this place still in their long-term plans? I always preferred it to the Grove location. It feels like an actual German brewery, down to the pea gravel.

They’d be crazy to give up on that brewery with the soccer stadium coming soon and all the other DT West developments in the pipeline. That area could be amazing in a few years. Maybe like lots of other businesses they’re just having trouble staffing up?

Keep in mind that even if the tasting rooms are dead many of these craft brews bottle and can their beers to distribute them across the region or beyond. I suspect that’s a large bit of their revenue.

Bart Harley Jarvis wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

debaliviere wrote: ↑

Oct 29, 2021

I realize that taste is totally subjective, but I feel like Schlafly does the basics - hefeweizen, pale ale, kolsch, coffee stout - as well if not better than anyone.

I agree, and I'll throw in their Oktoberfest and Summer Lager

Love the summer lager. I usually stock up in fall to get me thru winter. Although the white lager they run in winter isn’t all that different.

I agree about the basics. All those are solid. They just don’t do anything out of the box really, which for me is fine.

Schlafly is still my favorite local. But I also drink mostly lagers, kolsh, Pilsner types. So I’m not branching out into the crazy IPAs and Stouts.

I also tried and liked well being during my wife’s pregnancy though. Their IPA you would never know is non (low) alcoholic. A good choice when I want another beer but know I’ve probably had enough already.

If you can find it. This one is fantastic IMO

^And the Tasmanian IPA as well.

Schlafly has awesome beer.

Busch family getting back in the game.

CURRENTLY ON TAP AT
SPORTSMAN'S PARK RESTAURANT & BAR - 9901 Clayton Rd
LESTER'S SPORTS BAR & GRILL - 9906 Clayton Rd
HAMMERSTONES - 2028 S 9th St




https://www.buschfamilybrewinganddistilling.com

^Is that Billy Busch again? Or is this a completely new group of Beer Baronets? Best wishes to them as they storm the castle, as it were. Would be nice to see the family business properly back in town. (I say as I enjoy one of their earlier products.)

Yes it is Billy Busch. I guess they realized subpar reality TV wasn't going to buy them any more mansions.