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 the Urban Chestnut Grove Bierhall at 4465 Manchester Avenue in the Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood. This is the second of two brewing locations from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (UCBC).
UCBC was established in 2011. They are the only micro in St. Louis to have two brewing locations right here in the city. The Grove Bierhall opened in February, 2014 in a building formerly occupied by Renard Paper Company.
The street profile of the old paper company was underwhelming as best, with little street or neighborhood interaction.
UCBC has transformed this former complex into a gorgeous, fun, LEED certified establishment. The three contiguous buildings were erected in 1947, 1986 and 1990 per city records.
Today, you will walk or drive by and see a fully activated, bright, open space that is a vast improvement over the former paper company.
Street murals, large signage, two outdoor patios and windows now grace Manchester building adding a positive vibe.
Now, I’m not one to talk favorites when beer and food are so highly subjective. I can tell you as far as UCBC is concerned, my personal happiest space is the brewery on Washington Avenue. But, this one sets itself apart in a special way. They are two completely different places with separate strengths and experiences.
First, the Grove Bierhall is huge. It has a relatively new outdoor patio space at Manchester and South Taylor Avenues.
It frames the corner beautifully and is a really big city vibe with lots of pedestrians and street traffic.
On nice days, the windows to the game area open up to the patio. The plantings, string lights and umbrellas really define the space and allow it to feel shaded and private, yet open to the neighborhood.
Yes, I said game area. If you want to shoot pool, play bubble hockey (Blues and Bruins players), pinball or old school video games, there is a very kid friendly gameroom. A to-go cooler and room temperature area separates the gameroom from the greeter.
I love seeing cars with out of town plates taking beer out on dollies.
There is a separate, smaller bar that is great for parties or watching a game.
Then you enter the massive Bierhall space which has high ceilings, a super long bar and large European style tables.
There is food…oh, there is food. I know people are weird and opinionated about food. But the margherita pizza is amazing. The sauce is perfect. The crust is NYC-style perfection. The burgers and salads never disappoint. Then, there are German delicacies like pork schnitzel, brats and currywurst. All amazing and served with top shelf sides and accoutrement.
The beer? This location has the full set of offerings from UCBC. The Midtown location has a smaller set of selections. The beer is simply perfect, professional, crisp, varied and dare I say traditional? Sure they have the IPAs and popular stuff Americans like, but their lagers, pilsners and malty Oktoberfest are so, so good. Their seasonal Count Orlock pumpkin beer is unique and just amazing per my palate.
Keep walking and you will hit the second patio space. It is covered from the elements, but open to the sidewalk and traffic on Manchester. It has string lights to keep the vibe interesting at night.
There is also a private space for parties or events.
This place is a St. Louis treasure. You can’t not have fun here.
This place gets crowded, which adds to the social feelings, but if you are looking for a more intimate, subdued vibe, you can go to the Midtown OG location.
On to Midtown, Prost!
