We are visiting every St. Louis microbrewery to help highlight the variety, quality and fine spaces we have to enjoy a fresh beer in our fair city.
We stopped at Wellspent Brewing Company at 2917 Olive Street in the Midtown Neighborhood.
North of Harris Stowe University, east of St. Louis University and just west of Downtown West’s recent uptick of activity including the new MLS City Field, Wellspent is in a good location even if there isn’t a lot of housing in this particular part of the neighborhood.
This is part of the Midtown Alley, an impressive stretch of businesses, retail and restaurants that has evolved over the years. Wellspent occupies a former theater building. You can see some touches saved during the renovation to highlight the past.
The theater was called the Bonanza Theater, and it operated from 1909-1916 showing movies and vaudeville acts.
There are some reminders of the Bonanza in the ornate plaster that was kept and restored.
2913-2919 Olive Street - William Swekosky collection - Missouri Historical Society - circa 1943
Per a 2007 Google Streetview image:
There is a charming outdoor space that could easily be souped up with a little greenery to be a perfect spot.
There is food available from the Tamale Man.
The beers are excellent and fresh as can be.
There was a chess tournament occurring during our visit. The place was abuzz with activity and the steady sounds of conversation, laughter and friendship were in the air. Then the chess master counted down to the beginning of game play. A decided hush fell over the room of majority chess players. You could hear a pin drop for a moment as the room adjusted to concentration and quiet. Then, a young woman beside us ripped a foghorn belch to break the immediate silence.
A steady roar of laughter erupted. Myself included. It was a nice little moment of humanity.
This place is great, check it out. They even have a beer called the Hoosier Hammer.
