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Central Newsmagazine is Central St. Louis County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Dining Spotlight |
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A Celebration Is Brewing At Allendale Brewing CompanyBy Robert Wegusen
 It is a special time at Alandale Brewing Company. The combination microbrewery/restaurant in downtown Kirkwood is celebrating its one-year anniversary July 16 through 21, and customers will want to make sure to stop in and be among the first to sample its new seasonal brew.
Great food is definitely a feature at Alandale, but the specialty here is the beer. The brewery itself is visible from within the restaurant, an arrangement that allows patrons to watch as the specialty crafted beers are brewed. The place is a real haven for beer fans but the atmosphere is fun for families as well. As for the brew, as stated simply by Mike Bucchino, general manager, “The beers are great.” There are 10 beers on tap, eight of which are permanent and two that are seasonal. Alandale’s own brew master, Darren, carefully formulates each selection for the perfect flavor. All of the beers are made on site and each is distinctive with its own unique qualities. Recently, Alandale’s Blackberry Wheat was awarded a Microfest Bronze Medal. As a result, Bucchino said, it has become one of their most popular beers. Another favorite is the Blonde Lager, which is comparable in taste to more traditional beers. Bucchino’s personal favorite is the Bronze Lager. Choosing just one beer might prove to be difficult for some customers, but the problem is easily solved with Alandale’s Beer Sampler. Featuring a 2.5-oz. serving of each of Allendale’s eight signature brews, it gives the undecided an easy-to-swallow taste test opportunity. While the focus at Alandale is on the beer, the food is great, too. Both lunch and dinner menus feature made-from-scratch foods, and the variety ensures that there is something for everyone. Specialties include Armadillos, an appetizer of crispy spring rolls filled with barbecued beef, potatoes, sweet peppers, grilled onions, and jack cheese; the Alandale Rueben, which is stacked high with house-cured corned beef, Swiss cheese, seasoned sauerkraut and thousand island dressing on fresh Great Harvest Bread Co. toasted rye; and the Pot Roast, a slow-roasted brisket in sweet onion gravy with three potato mash, maple-braised carrots and crispy onions. A children’s menu is available, too. Happy Hours are from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and draw a crowd for the $2.00 pints and select appetizers at half-price. There is live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and on Tuesday evenings, local talents often provide the entertainment. A performance schedule can be found at www.alandalebrewing.com. In the future, Bucchino said, he hopes to make the beers more widely known, but for now, Alandale is celebrating what has been a very good year indeed. Alandale Brewing Company
Location: 105 East Jefferson Kirkwood, Mo.
Phone: (314) 966-2739
Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.. Thursday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
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