The Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing was created to honor Russell Schehrer who died in 1996. He co-founded Colorado’s first brewpub, Wynkoop Brewing, and his innovations include creating or reintroducing several styles of beer.

The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to John McDonald of Boulevard Brewing Co. The award has been bestowed to members of all facets of the brewing industry and community, beginning with renowned beer writer Michael Jackson in 1987. Two years later, McDonald founded Boulevard near the geographic center of the country, Kansas City, thereby becoming one of the first to introduce small batch brewing to the Midwest. His brewery today employs over 90 people and has a capacity near 600,000 barrels. An ebullient McDonald was spotted in a hospitality suite after the award ceremony receiving thanks and congratulations.

Last but not least, the F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award went to Dan Kopman of St. Louis Brewery/Schlafly Beer. Despite or because of working in the shadow of the towering Anheuser-Busch brewery in the same city, Kopman is recognized for his leadership within the craft brewing industry and his work to ensure that his fellow brewers are treated fairly by federal regulations. His tireless efforts include promoting the BEER Act. The Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act, introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), would reduce the beer excise tax for craft brewers.

The F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award is actually in memoriam to F.X. Matt II (1993-2001), whose grandfather created the West End Brewery in 1888 before it was eponymously renamed. Previous recipients include Steve Hindy, co-owner of the Brooklyn Brewery (2010) and Daniel Bradford, past BAA president and publisher of All About Beer Mgazine (2006).

Names like Anheuser, Lemp and Falstaff became synonymous with beer in St. Louis, and beyond. Today, a rich local brewing tradition continues along the Mississippi River. It’s easy to find terrific hand crafted beer in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, the city’s most recognizable landmark.

Brewing’s new chapter began in 1991 when the St. Louis Brewing Co. opened its doors. Its principal owner is local attorney Tom Schlafly. You probably recognize the product as Schlafly Brand Beers. He and a chap named Dan Kopman, who had worked at the famous Young’s Brewery in England, wanted to produce good, local microbrew. That they do, even though they’ve grown quite a bit since opening day.

The Schlafly Taproom, located at 2100 Locust Street (at 21st Street), was the first brewpub to open in Missouri. This beautifully restored historic structure was built at the turn of the century for a printing company that occupied it until 1969. It stood vacant for years and survived a fire, which destroyed several of the surrounding buildings in 1976. You can still see heat damage on some of the beams inside.

Park in the lot next to the rear door, and you’ll pass through a mini-hop garden on your way to the dining area and tap room. The brick walls and wooden floors call out “industrial,” yet it has a European aura. Be sure to look for the blackboard that lists Schlafly’s 100-plus tap accounts. Near the 15-barrel DME brewing system, you’ll see a running count of how many batches of beer have been produced this year.

Pale Ale is the flagship product, but you’ll find the full line of Schlafly beers from an American pilsner-style lager to a barleywine, as well as three rotating seasonal selections on tap. On a late September afternoon, we enjoyed a saison and an Oktoberfest. The menu, which is paired with house beers, includes moules frites, a liverwurst sandwich, and pretty much everything in-between.

There’s more to the St. Louis Brewery empire: the Schlafly Bottleworks, not far away at 7260 Southwest Ave. in Maplewood, opened in 2003. It was the first new production brewery to open since the end of Prohibition. Located in a former supermarket, it has a half-acre garden, where herbs and produce are grown for the on-site restaurant. There’s even an outdoor farmers market in the warm months.

If you can’t get to visit either location—although we highly recommend you do—it’s easy to find Schlafly beers at local bars and liquor stores. Even fans attending Cardinal baseball games at Busch Stadium can quaff a Schlafly.