St. Louis, MO, William K. Busch Brewing Co. is expanding their horizons locally after applying for approval of a Conditional Use Permit at 4151 Benne Road to build a farm brewery and distillery on Blue Heron Farm. The site is located near Busch Wildlife on the old Bridlespur Hunt Club property. Construction is slated to begin later this year.
The planned micro-brewery is approximately 20,000 square feet, will seat approximately 265 patrons, and will produce a maximum of 2,500 barrels annually. The allotted space is located toward the start of the wine trail in the Highway 94 corridor and will allow the company to focus on creating artisan-style beers, which will include hops and barley grown on the property.
In time, the brewery and distillery will include a small petting zoo, gift shop, a beer hall for guests to enjoy beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, and a museum that will educate visitors on the brewing process.
Rod Kazenske, an architect from Yard Stick Studio who is known for his artisan barn designs, will be working on this new project, creating an intimate brewery in a European barn style, overlooking a beautiful lake. The scene, which is akin to many similar settings in rural wineries throughout Missouri, will make the new brewery the perfect place to enjoy craft beers and a farm-to-table dining experience as visitors take in the beauty of the countryside.
“I simply could not be more excited about this project!” said Marc Gottfried, a Defiance resident of over 13 years and Brewmaster at the William K. Busch Brewing Company. “It truly embodies the values of those who live in the area in that it’s a rustic gathering place for families to enjoy great craft beer and spirits in an incredible country setting. The vision and heritage of the Busch family were key in designing such an attractive barn micro-brewery that will surely become a new local hangout, even though it will look like it’s been here for 100 years.”
This new chapter in the William K. Busch Brewing Company’s history is rooted in family tradition.
“After years of talking about it, my family and I are incredibly excited to embark on this journey,” said William K. “Billy” Busch, president and CEO of the St. Louis-based company that bears his name. “To be able to build the brewery just on the other side of Busch Wildlife on the old Bridlespur Hunt Club property that my father started in the early 1900s is a very unique and exciting moment in my life. The brewery will encapsulate an incredibly wonderful family atmosphere where people can enjoy the great outdoors, farm-to-table food, and, of course, our great American-owned beers brewed in the heartland of the United States.”
Known for their commitment to conservation, the Busch family plans to build and run the facility in an environmentally-friendly manner.
“Part of my family’s legacy has always included our dedication to conservation,” Busch said. “We will be environmentally conscious when building this brewery and work hard to ensure future generations have an outdoors to enjoy for years to come.”
The focus of the farm brewery will be on small batches of high quality lagers as well as other unique beer styles. Some of the offerings will only be available at that location while others will be canned or kegged and sent off to distributors. The distillery plans to craft a line of handmade whiskeys and beers, including whiskey barrel aged beers and beer barrel aged whiskeys for customers to explore.
“The symbiotic nature of the two crafts under one roof will be exciting to watch unfold,” said Gottfried.
Production of these new beers, along with a portion of the company’s award-winning Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light brands, will be transferred to the brewery upon its completion, with more beer and spirit releases planned in the future.
These plans serve as a source of excitement for Brewmaster Gottfried, who is ready to create some new, memorable beverages in the William K. Busch Brewing Company’s line.
“I’m eager to get this craft line established in the market, and I know we are going to knock it out of the park,” Gottfried said. “St. Louis, get ready for some great lagers and a couple of other fun, new additions!”
About William K. Busch Brewing Co.:
William K. Busch Brewing Co. represents a new chapter for both the Busch family legacy and the American brewing industry. Founded in 2011, William K. Busch Brewing Company currently produces two premium American lagers – Kräftig and Kräftig Light. Both lagers are brewed with only the finest, all-natural ingredients – pure water, Hallertau hops, malt from two- and six-row barley, and proprietary yeast.
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