Sure, there are some fine Michigan brewers who don’t distribute down here, but with easy access to the full line from Bell’s, Founder’s (which I’m not really a fan of anyway, apart from the Black Rye which they killed), Jolly Pumpkin, Dark Horse, New Holland, and Arcadia (again, not a fan), my home-state itch is pretty well scratched.  I would love to get Michigan Brewing’s fine rendition of Celis White, and some of the lunacy from Short’s (as well as their outstanding Huma Lupa Licious), but I can manage.

We’ve really caught up on crafts from around the country though.  Sure, they get Brooklyn (which is almost always out of code . . .), Great Lakes (ditto) and Stone (I’m “eh” on most of the lineup, but the IPA is fine stuff), but apart from that, there isn’t a lot we don’t get already.  And while I’d love to have access to the great lagers from Great Lakes and Brooklyn, the recent addition of Capital really dulls that blow.  Toss in our ability to pluck New Belgium, Great Divide and Left Hand from the shelves at will, and I’m feeling really good about being a craft beer drinker in St. Louis.

As for imports, I didn’t see a single thing on the shelves at the stores I hit that I can’t get down here.  We’ve always been closer on the import front, but I didn’t see the massive selections from Shelton Brothers and B.United that I can several places in the St. Louis metro.

Next month I head to Wisconsin, and that will prove a much tougher test, simply because there are so many more fine breweries that don’t distribute down this way.  However, this is what makes beer travel particularly fun for me – being able to try stuff I can’t get at home.  I’m actually a little sad that Michigan isn’t the beervana it once was, but I want to thank our great local retailers and distributors for providing us with so many tasty options.  Now, let’s get out and drink them so the supply stays fresh!

Oh, and to up the ante, Andrew also got Dark Horse‘s undefinable, but amazing, Black Bier, and their fine Crooked Tree IPA.  Oh, and some great stuff from Moylan’s.  And then, of course, there are the wines . . . .  Thanks for the continued hard work, Andrew!