December hits different when you’re a beer person. The lights go up, the temperatures drop, and every brewery in St. Louis suddenly seems to be rolling out something special, from gift bundles to once-a-year lagers to special bottles. Because this month belongs to dark beer, we’re diving deep into winter stouts, beyond bourbon-aged options. Dry Irish, oatmeal, coffee, American, imperial… It’s a whole world of cold-weather comfort. Whether you’re stocking a fridge, chasing a release, or just trying to stay warm, consider this a roadmap to December pours. Prost!
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The Scoop
🔥 HOT SPOT
STLBeer’s Holiday Guide Is Live
The STLBeer Holiday Guide just dropped, and it’s basically a one-stop shortcut to support St. Louis beer this season. From the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Foundation, the guide rounds up online shops, gift cards, holiday markets, merch, curated bundles, and brewery events. Whether you're hunting for limited-release bundles or want to find out where Santa is taking photos, it’s all in one place.
đź’¬ INSIDER TIP
A First Look at STL’s New N/A Kratom Drink
A brand-new nonalcoholic option lands in St. Louis this week, and it’s not another hop water. DER—short for Drink. Enjoy. Repeat.—is a kratom-infused, beer-inspired beverage created by actor-artist Nico Tortorella and St. Louis–based MNG Brands. Built with WellBeing’s brewing DNA, it drinks like a lighter, citrus-kissed pale ale with a gentle, functional lift. Each can uses whole-leaf kratom extract (no synthetic isolates) and leans into familiar beer bitterness without tasting medicinal.
Mark Your Calendar
DECEMBER 6
Steampunk Brew Works hosts its final big bash, Steampunk Saturnalia: An Endtime Celebration, as it prepares to close its doors. Expect a full-day Saturnalia sendoff filled with nostalgia, community hugs, and the last runs of Steampunk beer. They’ll pour until the taps run dry, which is expected before Christmas.
DECEMBER 6
Blue Jay celebrates its 2nd anniversary with a Celebration Lager release at noon, a Will-o’-the-Wisp Doppelbock tapping, and a 4 p.m. toast with Jay and Nicole Thompson. It’s a great chance to support one of the city’s youngest breweries as it hits a big milestone.
DECEMBER 12
St. Louis County Library’s Clark Family Branch marks the anniversary of Prohibition’s end with Beercember: A Celebration of St. Louis Brewing History. Enjoy beer samples from 2nd Shift, Third Wheel, Six Mile Bridge, Old Bridgeview, Blue Jay, Two Plumbers, and No Name Brewing. There will also be live bluegrass and a St. Louis beer history talk from Bellefontaine Cemetery’s Dan Fuller.
FEBRUARY 15
Cask Festival 2026 at 2nd Shift Brewing returns with more than 25 breweries pouring fresh cask-conditioned one-offs and rare releases. This year adds the Little Lager Lounge, a new VIP-style space run by the nationally praised Little Lager. Expect rare beers, foam-capped lagers, a built-in bottle share, and a crowd of serious beer obsessives.
A MESSAGE FROM ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY TOUR & EXPERIENCE
Anheuser-Busch’s Brewery Lights returns: A dazzling 40-year St. Louis holiday tradition
Experience over a million lights, nightly Budweiser Clydesdale parades, and the new 1900s-inspired Speakeasy at Brewery Lights. Tickets on sale now—don’t miss St. Louis’ most festive holiday celebration!
Born from a local family tradition, Dogtown’s new brand brings authentic St. Louis pizza flavor to grocery store freezer aisles across the city. Read the story behind 3Gerards.
Celebrate Cocktails and Claws at 4 Hands + Peacemaker Kirkwood. Enjoy festive cocktails, cozy energy, and shareable bites including crab claws, Swedish meatballs, and pigs in a blanket in a space bursting with holiday spirit. Sip the season!
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