Frequently Asked Questions
What is STLBEER?
STLBEER is the public facing name and brand of the Saint Louis Brewers Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose civic and educational mission is to promote the St. Louis, Missouri region as a premier beer tourism destination. STLBEER plans and hosts beer-centric fundraisers, festivals, and educational opportunities, while working with local and national media to promote our rich St. Louis beer scene in it’s entirety.
WHAT ISn’t STLBEER?
STLBEER was originally conceived as an inclusive organization with a focus on the promotion of the Greater St. Louis regional beer scene in its entirety and as such, it is unique in a number of ways from other “Craft Beer Guilds” around the country. The St. Louis Brewers Heritage Foundation is not a 501(c)6, trade association, industry trade group or business association. We are not legally allowed to influence legislation as a substantial part of our activities and do not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
How can I support the STLBEER?
You are supporting the STLBEER every time you choose to support the 70+ breweries operating within 100 miles of St. Louis. There are a number of ways to directly support STLBEER financially, from purchasing tickets to our fundraising events and annual beer festivals, to buying our t-shirts and posters or just making donations directly. We are also always happy to accept donations of your time and passion for STL beer by volunteering!
What breweries are Promoted by StLBEER?
STLBEER works to support and promote every brewery in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area which accounts for roughly a 100 mile radius around the city. As well as the city of St. Louis, the area includes the Southern Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair (known collectively as the Metro East); the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis County (separate from and not inclusive of the city of St. Louis), Warren, Washington, and a portion of Crawford County.
Can I become a Member of the StLBEER?
We do not offer formal memberships to join STLBEER beer but we encourage allied businesses to reach out to us to discuss partnerships and collaborations.
I’m looking for a job in the local brewing industry, can you help?
The best thing to do when looking for a position at a local brewery is to reach out to breweries and inquire directly. Jobs don’t open up often, and typically a brewery will post an opening on their website or social media accounts. Breweries also love to hire from within, so a willingness to start at the bottom and just get your foot in the door doing anything is helpful. Many people in the local industry also got their start just by getting to know their local brewery and by offering to volunteer at special events, so being plugged in doesn’t hurt.
Where can I find more information on the history of brewing in St. Louis?
The book, St. Louis Brews: The History of Brewing in the Gateway City by Henry Herbst, Don Roussin, Kevin Kious, and Cameron Collins is an incredibly thorough resource on our city’s brewing history. There have been three editions. Both Schlafly Beer breweries sell Tom Schlafly’s A New Religion in Mecca, which offers a glimpse into the early days of the founding of St. Louis’s first new brewery to open since Prohibition. Finally, pay a visit to the Beer Museum at Anheuser Busch to see some incredible memorabilia from the city’s oldest operating brewery.