St. Louis has been named the second-best beer city in the United States by USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. The city and several local breweries earned high rankings in various beer-related categories. Missouri's strong beer culture contributed to these accolades.
USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards recognize top destinations in travel, food, and drink through a process involving expert panels, editorial reviews, and public voting. Missouri secured multiple wins in beer categories, highlighting its prominence in the industry.
St. Louis placed second in the Best Beer City category. As noted by 10BEST editors, "St. Louis housed over 100 breweries prior to Prohibition, and today, the home of Anheuser-Busch has even more." The city's beer scene includes events like the St. Louis Beer Fest in February, featuring 40 breweries and 120 beers, and the St. Louis Microfest in May, offering hundreds of craft brews along with live music and food. Long-standing taprooms such as Schlafly, operating for more than 30 years, provide brewery tours, while others like 4 Hands, Side Project Brewing, and Alpha Brewing Co. remain key players.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experiences in St. Louis ranked eighth for Best Brewery Tour. Options include the Day Fresh tour, which covers the Clydesdale stables, Brewhouse, and St. Louis campus; the Finisher Tour, visiting fermentation cellars with complimentary items and samples; and the two-hour Beermaster Tour, accessing exclusive areas with fresh beer from the finishing tank and souvenirs.
Perennial on Lockwood in Webster Groves took seventh in Best Brewpub. It uses organic local ingredients for small-batch Belgian and American craft beers, paired with elevated pub fare such as Chicago duck dogs or Abraxas chili cheese fries. The brewpub originated from a collaboration between Perennial Artisan Ales and Olive + Oak, located in a historic remodeled garage.
Blue Jay Brewing Co. in St. Louis ranked seventh among Best New Breweries. It specializes in German-inspired beers like Munich-style lager, Märzen, and Hefeweizen, complemented by a food menu featuring smashburgers, bratwurst, and other dishes.
In a prior 10BEST list, Three Kings Public House at St. Louis Lambert International Airport was voted second-best airport bar, noted for its local beer selection, gourmet pub fare, and cozy atmosphere.
