Pour Me Some Beer & Crank Up the Music

This year, it seems we have been hitting states harder than a grizzled touring band so last weekend’s stop at Heavy Riff only seemed fitting. Located in Dogtown in STL, the area and the brewery feel a bit like a not so well-kept secret. This isn’t our first stop at Heavy Riff so this was not a brewery we were unfamiliar with. Heavy Riff was the brewery we were at roughly a year or so ago when we decided we wanted to start this project so in a way, they will always be a brewery that is near and dear to our hearts. These fine folks also landed at #7 on my favorite breweries visited in the US last year, so of course we were expecting nothing less than a fantastic time – and the guys and gals at HR delivered again. Here’s the experience from my perspective:

The Vibe

Heavy riff is one of my favorite breweries to walk in to because it drips nostalgia. I love going here because it time warps me back to the days when I was thumbing through my mother and fathers old record collections, discovering essentials like The Velvet Underground & Nico, Bob Dylan’s Bringing it All Back Home and Jimi’s Electric Ladyland. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a sucker for nostalgia. The vibe is chill, the bar looks like it was previously owned by Slash and the patrons are always warm and welcoming. In short, visiting heavy riff is basically like seeing your favorite band while they’re still playing underground shows – when you sit down you feel like you’re a part of something.

The Beer

I don’t know what it was (probably the flavors and the catchy names) but this time around we drink a lot of beer. Normally Tay grabs a flight and I’ll do 2-3 beers 12 oz. pours but this time around, we exceeded that.

Romeo’s Drink of Choice

First beer – Bohemian Raspberry Sour (6% ABV)

I love Queen. I love Porters. Sprinkle in some raspberries and you’ve got the perfect recipe. This beer is fun. It’s billed as a Sour but it moonlights as a porter until the very end, then the tartness kicks in and it’s a cliff dive into raspberry rhythms. You can sip this all day.

Second beer – Vanilla Coffee Underbrown Ale (6.5% ABV)

Per Untappd, this beer was brewed as a one off but people dug it so much, the crowd cheered for an encore and got their wish. This beer would have been my favorite had it not been for Evil Pumpkin. I don’t normally love vanilla coffee beer but this one left its chorus in my head long after we left.

Third beer: Squeeze Box Lemon Wheat (4.8% ABV)

Solid lemon flavor, smooth,no letdown after taste and a great drink by the fire. Just don’t forget the bugs spray because even the mosquitos love it.

Fourth beer: Barrel Aged Evil Pumpkin Imperial Porter (12.2% ABV)

The great pumpkin Charlie Brown! This beer is the undisputed king of pumpkin beer until further notice. The calendar has finally flipped to October, so it finally seemed like a logical choice. It’s pumpkin pie in a glass, the perfect amount of yammy (yes, I said it) goodness and a finish that leaves you jonesing for whipped cream. I realize it’s not for everyone but it’s for me. I’m not even a huge PSL fan, nor do I like the fact that fall is referred to as PSL season but I loooooove this beer. It’s a beast (12.2 ABV) so if you’re having more than one, maybe book your Uber in advance…

What I wish I got to try but couldn’t – Mama’s and the Papayas Sour

It goes without saying but our experience was absolutely awesome. We spent about 2 hours drinking and speaking with a few locals who had nothing but glowing things to say about HR as well. This was not only enjoyable but also speaks to the following they’ve accumulated. The only drawback (It was our fault not theirs) was that the kitchen was closed being it was Sunday. I can vouch for the food and next time we go, we’ll add some photos. On the bright side we did get to hit Hogtown Smokehouse afterward, so it was still a win/win. 

Kudos on the kick ass beer names guys and chow for now!

Brewliet’s Drink of Choice

Heavy Riff, we meet again. I will sheepishly admit, this place did not impress me the first time around. Little did I know how badly I misjudged.

Heavy Riff kicks ass!

I had more drinks here than Jeff, which is pretty impressive on my part. The real honor lies with HR, they know how to brew beer. I was in sour and ale heaven. And HR did the impossible & converted me to a wheat ale lover. Dead serious…

How did HR manage this feat: The Bocelli. This wheat ale is a beautifully impossible mixture of lemony sweetness. A lemon infused ale with little to no sourness. Lemon with no sour, genius. I could drink Bocelli in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Now I’m not encouraging all day drinking, but if you had to, drink Bocelli. Even the name sounds delicious.

With a pale golden coloring, The Bocelli screams spring & summer.