ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Escaped to western gateway port from Illinois, August ’04. First stop, midtown’s ROUTE 66 BREWERY (named after old highway connecting thriving Midwest hubs to California) had few pool tables, large recreational room, well-kept barroom, and interesting ‘50s rebel motifs. But the all-encompassing brewery closed down, 2005.

Impressive Belgian Triple Ale boasted unassuming 10% alcohol charge, dry grape tannins, and lemon-orange peel bittering. Soft-hopped lemon-tart Blond Ale; lemon-fizzed ripe-fruited Rambling Raspberry Blonde Ale; wheat-husked quince-spiced pale-malted River City Red Ale; tangy berry-fruited, herbal tea-tinged, beechwood-smoked O’ Fallon Gold, and nut-roasted espresso-milked Irish Stout served ample backup.

I’ll miss this innercity spot.