Fans of Cory King’s Side Project Brewing jammed the Marietta parking lot and lined up in 30-degree weather Tuesday afternoon to be among the first to try his beer at the just-opened, 50-seat Side Project Cellar, at 7373 Marietta Avenue, in Maplewood.
Previously, the only place to get a pour was at Perennial Artisan Ales, in South St. Louis, where King is head brewer, and also makes his Side Project Beer.
Steve Nease, of South St. Louis, was first in line. “Everything he makes has been fantastic so far,” he said. “He does barrel-aged and French and Belgian-style.
Craig Ganzer came from Chicago for the opening.
“This is some of the best beer in the nation,” he said. “He takes care with the small batch—good stuff—worth waiting for.”
See also: Side Project Cellar: Barry Greenberg project, Specialty food shop, Larder and Cupboard opens
Inside, Adam Bridwell, from the St. Louis Hills neighborhood, was sharing a $40 bottle of Pulling Nails, which he said is his favorite so far. “Very nice, fruity, citrusy sour taste to it.”
Side Project Cellar is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.
There were plenty of women there that evening (myself included). Absolutely fantastic addition to the neighborhood, it really says something that one of the best brewers in the region chose Maplewood.
Well worth the wait.
The wives peruse penzeys, kakao, pie o my, roots et al, the guys hang at Side Project……I could deal with that.
From the photo, it looks more like a men’s club than a brewery. Glad to see it is so popular! I have had several friends in the St. Louis area link to articles about the opening. It definitely has a buzz.