Beer Barons 2026

Join us for this special Beer Barons 2026

Join us on Friday, September 18, as we celebrate Beer Barons: The Return and Close of the SLBA.

This evening walk will reveal our continuing exploration of all things beer in St. Louis. In recent years, the Anheuser-Busch buyout has been fresh in the minds of St. Louisans concerning our beer heritage. However, that was not the first time outside interests came to town in search of local brewing assets. Pre-Prohibition, many mid-sized breweries bound together in an attempt to compete with the big two giants of the era, Lemp and Anheuser-Busch.

This year, we will complete the story of the St. Louis Brewing Association (SLBA). We will welcome back Ellis Wainwright to finish his own fascinating history, featuring the breathtaking Wainwright Mausoleum as the backdrop to the program. Guests will also meet a few of the other brewers who aided the multi-brewery effort to gain market share in St. Louis, including William F. Nolker of the Brinkwirth-Nolker Brewery, Louis Schlossstein of Green Tree Brewery, and Ferdinand Herold of Cherokee Brewery. A particular focus of this year's tour will be on Carl and Maria Klausmann of the Carl Klausmann Brewery, highlighting Maria Klausmann, our local "Brewster" (female brewer), while William Nolker shares stories of another Brewster or two within his own family.

Every life is important, and every life has a story to tell. Come hear these stories and learn how these historic figures shaped the flavor of our city.

Enjoy beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres as you stroll through the beautiful grounds of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum.

PLEASE NOTE: this is an after-hours event, and the gates will close promptly at 5:40 p.m.

Tickets are $35 per person. 

Price includes a 5oz Belgian tasting glass.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. You must sign up online and be pre-registered to attend this event.