St. Charles’ Trailhead Brewing Co. to Close and Reopen as Third Schlafly Brewpub

After 25 years, Trailhead Brewing Co. is closing its doors in St. Charles. Beer-lovers aren’t out of luck, though: The space will be turned into the third Schlafly Beer brewpub in the St. Louis area, to be named Schlafly Bankside after the location off the Missouri River.

According to a press release, Trailhead owner Bob Kirkwood has chosen to retire and sold the space to Schlafly in hopes that the space will remain somewhere for the community to gather.

“When considering the possibility of selling Trailhead Brewing Company, my partners and I felt that it was important to find a suitable buyer that would continue to brew quality beer, contribute the same positive experience to the customer and value the current staff,” Kirkwood said in the release. “With these requirements in mind combined with Schlafly’s respected reputation within the brewing and hospitality industries in the St. Louis metro area, we found a perfect fit.”    

Schlafly plans to maintain the “character and charm” of the location, but the company will make a few renovations and improvements to the space. St. Charles residents can expect more tap handles pouring Schlafly beer, as well as similar pub fare to what’s offered at the Schlafly Bottleworks and Taproom, including barbecue and pizza. There will also be an onsite retail store with gear and growlers available. 

The space will remain open as Trailhead Brewing throughout January while Schlafly works on the space. No date has been announced yet for the reopening, and all Trailhead employees will be offered jobs at Schlafly Bankside as well. 

“We highly respect Bob Kirkwood’s operation and wish him a happy retirement,” Schlafly co-founder Tom Schlafly said in the release. “We are committed to continuing what his customers and this community have grown to expect from their neighborhood brewery with the added Schlafly experience that our guests love.”

Trailhead Brewing Co., 921 S. Riverside Drive, St. Charles, Missouri, 636.946.2739, trailheadbrewing.com

https://www.feastmagazine.com/st-louis/article_737fffe8-37e7-11ea-b67e-5b5f2496bf18.html