Some people like wine, some people like beer, and others like them both. Several Missouri wineries are also breweries. It makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Some of the equipment is the same and it’s a great way to offer consumers options.
So, this Father’s Day, head out to Missouri wine country for a relaxing trip where you can enjoy handcrafted wine and beer. Or get a sampler of delicious local beverages for dad to sample at home.
Charleville Vineyard Winery and Microbrewery – Ste. Genenvieve
Charleville is all about offering distinctive, hand-crafted wines and microbrewed beers in a relaxed atmosphere. They proudly offer an assortment of beer styles from their core year round beers (such as: Half Wit Wheat, Hoptimistic IPA, Tornado Alley Amber Ale, and Oatmeal Stout) to an extensive selection of seasonal beers (Box of Chocolate, Strawberry Blonde, Maibock… to name just a few) and limited release beers.
Crown Valley Winery, Brewery & Distillery – Ste. Genenvieve
Visiting “Crown Country” offers a plethora of tasting options. They make a wide range of wines, including sparkling, while their brewmaster, Jeremy Gilbert, produces beer made in a state-of-the-art 15-barrel microbrewery. Some of their offerings include, Strawberry Cider, Farmhouse Lager, Wooden Nickel IPA, Gunslinger Double IPA, Big Bison Ale, and seasonal such as Peach Wheat and Blackberry Cider. They also have a distillate brand known for its line of “Missouri Moonshine”. Their Fizzy Izzy root beer has its own fan club as well.
Bias Winery and Gruhlke’s Microbrewery – Berger
As the story goes… Gruhlke is a gnome who moved from Germany to the hill at Bias Vineyards & Winery in 1998. Gnomes, as you may know, live underground with their buried treasures. Gruhlke’s treasure is secret formulas for great microbrewed beer. Gruhlke has agreed to share his secret formulas and assist with the beer brewing in exchange for naming the microbrewery after him. They offer a variety of beers on tap, some of which include, Missouri Wheat, Naughty Ale, Black Lager, Chubby Stout, and Nate’s Tripel.
Windy Wine Co. and Blackbelt Brewing Co. – Osborn
When Kraig Keesaman opened Windy Wine Co. he planted the idea of his brother, Kasey, having a brewery onsite. Last year, the dream became a reality when Blackbelt Brewing Co. was introduced. They offer a milk stout called Ninja Breakfast, a light rye ale called Rye-Kwon-Do, an India Pale Ale called Hop-Kido, an apple ale called Grapple, Brew-cha Libre, an agave-infused pale ale, and a Belgian golden called Crow Killer.
Cave Vineyard – Ste. Genenvieve
Cave Vineyard is a family affair through and through. That extends from the winery operations to the beer brewed on site and sold on-draft in the tasting room. The son-in-laws (also affectionately referred to as the SIL’s) brew a variety of beer to be served on site only. You’re always in for a new and different treat from the classics to unique seasonal offerings when you visit the Cave.
Beyond wineries making, serving and distributing their own beers, there are other partnerships between brewers and winemakers. Public House Brewery is building a brand new facility to expand its operation in conjunction with St. James Winery, and Broadway Brewery leases space from Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport. To take it a step further, many of the 125+ wineries in the state partner with local, craft brewers to offer beer in their tasting rooms.
Missouri wine pairs well with Missouri beer. Drink local!
