St. Louis-Based American Patriot Beer Makes Its Local Debut

By Evan C. Jones Tue., Aug. 14 2012 at 2:00 PM

Categories: Beer

Lifelong St. Louisan John Beal's favorite beer growing up was Budweiser. "I always wanted the Budweiser car to win," he says. When its parent company Anheuser-Busch was purchased by Belgian brewing behemoths InBev in 2008, the career roofer was "bothered" by the takeover, and decided to take matters into his own hands.

"I said I'm gonna go on the road, learn everything I can learn about beer, meet every brewer, every brewmaster and find everything I can find out," Beal recalls. "I just went out and started learning everything I could about beer, what makes beer taste this way, what makes it taste that way and started educating myself."

Beal's three year cross-country journey yielded a completely American-made beer based in St. Louis: American Patriot Beer, the latest addition to the St. Louis brew scene.

American Patriot is made entirely with American-made products, containing hops from Yakima, Washington, barley from Spiritwood, North Dakota and glass bottles from Tampa, Florida. The beer itself is brewed and labelled at G. Heileman Brewing Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin (the former brewing home of Old Style).

Gut Check was able to sample the two varieties of American Patriot, the lager and light varieties. As we sipped, Beal explained the smoothness of the brew (Gut Check vouches for the smoothness), and in 98 degree heat on an outdoor patio, Patriot was a perfect companion. Its nutritional information is pretty standard, with the light beer clocking in at 102 calories and the regular lager 137 calories.

Tags:

American Patriot Beer, beer, brewery, John Beal, St. Louis

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dysphonix

Anyone who claims that their favorite brew is Budweiser (and not the original Czech formula) is not a enthusiast of beer, but rather someone who is more of a urophile.

MoT

@dysphonix The American Budwweiser is nasty and weak. The Czech version, which I've tried while in Dresden Germany, is soooo much better. No comparison. All I can say is that the domestic Bud in the US is a mighty low bar to hurdle.

Neytiri

"Taking our country back...one beer at a time" is their motto. Also endorsed by Dana Loesch. Sorry, but this is Tea Party beer. I'll pass...

dunc1789

So... Beer, politics.. They go together? Intersting. They have sold 500 thousand plus in sic weeks. But don't base your vote on that. You should try it. By the way, I haven't tried it yet. Just heard of it and just placed the first order for the small Bar/restaurant I operate with my family. @innov8

haywoodjunkmail

@innov8 Go drink a Slow Gin Fizz you homo...

Neytiri

1 Like

@haywoodjunkmail thanks haywood. a high school response deserves a high school...er, american patriot beer.

jcthelilly topcommenter

1 Like

Interesting that he would start a new company considering all the complaints registered with the BBB against his roofing company.

dunc1789

And you're saying a human can not try another business adventure if a previous one, or one currently in operation doesn't have a perfect rating with the BBB?@jcthelilly

2315user

If u cheat and lie at one business, chances are you will do it in another. American my ass... As American as his roofing crews... BS

MikeN

I believe G. Heileman Brewing Company is now known as City Brewing Company, and is the same place that brews Kraftig. It's also the home to the World's Largest Six Pack!