Gateway Beer: St. Louis Craft Brewing in the Shadow of Anheuser-Busch by Bittle, Joel

Once synonymous with Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis slowly embraced craft beer and became a powerhouse within the industry. Joel Bittle's history charts the growth of the Gateway City's craft brewing scene from its first convention-defying microbreweries in the 1990s through COVID-era difficulties and beyond.

Interviews with the founders and brewers of the city's craft beer businesses reveal how enthusiasm and expertise coalesced into a thriving community. Their stories of brewer creativity and underdog business acumen include looks at now-iconic brands like Schlafly and 2nd Shift. Bittle also describes how St. Louis entrepreneurs used the spirit of collaboration to not only change the city's beer culture but build a scene that attracted a following eager to move beyond the hometown beer giant and other established brands.

An engaging insider account of a craft beer bastion, Gateway Beer takes readers inside a movement while telling a story of resilience and triumph.

Author: Joel Bittle
Publisher: 3 Fields Books
Published: 10/20/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.14lbs
Size: 8.91h x 6.01w x 0.81d
ISBN: 9780252089589

About the Author
Joel Bittle is a freelance writer in St. Louis and a longtime part of the city's craft beer community.