Best of the Best:
Side Project- Legitimately world class stouts, barleywines, and sours/wilds. Also execute lagers and IPAs very well.
Perennial- Just a half step below Side Project. Does everything at a very high level.

Does everything well:
Narrow Gauge- Known for some of the best hazies outside of Boston but does all styles well.
2nd Shift- Not really known for any one style. Does everything between "good" and "excellent." I've put them slightly ahead of the next 4 for their versatility.

Make their niche exceptionally well:
Civil Life- 95% of what they make are English pub beers and they are excellent at what they do.
Blue Jay- Now we hit the "European Lager House" portion of the list. They make like 8 beers. 7 of them are euro lagers and those are all out of this world.
Urban Chestnut- Focused on German lagers and they do those incredibly well. They try to branch out into other styles, and it loses me. As long as you stick to their wheelhouse, they don't miss.
Great Heart- A newer entrant. Only been around 1 year. Focuses on Bohemian & Bavarian beers and does an excellent job.

Does a bit of everything, and it usually hits:
Modern- Ranges from excellent to just ok. Has a fantastic location and a nice patio with good food.
Bluewood- Very similar to Modern for me but Modern has had some higher highs.
Rockwell- Even more inconsistent than the two above. Also had some problematic folks that are now gone.
Millpond- Our first IL side entrant. I've liked everything I've had there. Consistently good.

Others I've had a bunch and generally like:
Square One- Beer is fine. Has the best patio in STL.
Schlafly- The OGs. Makes solid middle of the road beer. Will never really be wowed or disappointed by anything they make.
Heavy Riff- Does a bit of everything. It a bit hit or miss.
4 Hands- Has some high highs but also has some crazy bad lows. Because they're larger and they scale things up, if they make a test batch of something good, the larger batch will be made cheaply and will be significantly worse.


Ones I've been to once or twice or had their beer enough at festivals to have an opinion (in order):
Main & Mill
Lieferbrau
Mississippi Culture
White Rooster
Hopskeller
Stubborn German
Crossroads
Old Bakery
Shortleaf
Third Wheel
Six Mile Bridge
Friendship
Good News
Crafty Chameleon
Two Plumbers
Charleville


Went once. Never again:
Alpha- Fuck these guys.