Blue Jay Brewing Company

“Take me here using Metro Transit”

Blue Jay Brewing Company is the newest addition to St. Louis’ brewing scene. You can’t miss the bright red painted brick building, just a few blocks from Washington Ave. and a short walk to Energizer Park (CityPark). Owners Nicole and Jay Thompson’s lifelong dream of starting a brewery began in California where Jay began studying brewing at UC-Davis’s renowned brewing science program. He took his passion for German style beers, particularly lagers, to Urban Chestnut until finding a space of their own in 2023, complete with a lovely biergarten and a full kitchen.

That kitchen is now occupied by the local farm-centric FarmSpiritSTL. Chef Ryan Mcdonald and Ashley Batiste put together a simple menu featuring almost entirely local ingredients from farms like Such and Such, Price Family Farms, Rustic Roots and local food distributor Buttonwood Farms. FarmSpirit emphasizes zero-waste production by butchering their own animals and using every component for different dishes. Try the Disco Melt or its vegan mushroom counterpart, and get your veggies with crispy potatoes, brussels sprouts or a classic buttermilk ranch salad. FarmSpirit’s sourcing couldn’t be better, as they take their motto of “friend to table” seriously

The brewery purchased most of its equipment second-hand. The all LED facility has a reflective roof to limit the heat-island effect in urban areas. Owners and staff are very conscious of proper recycling and waste reduction. Spent grains go to a local farmer. Their unique beers include a Miles Davis inspired “Miles to Go” – made for Juneteenth celebrations with hops and yeast for South Africa and Mauritania – and a Jamaican style lager with cassava starch. Their bartender Vivian started The Exbeerience, an effort to support black-owned breweries and encourage inclusion and diversity within the craft beer culture.

Blue Jay recently collaborated with the Land Institute, an agricultural research company that has developed a patented perennial wheatgrass called Kernza. Unlike annual grains, Kernza develops a deep root system that can withstand extreme temperatures, requires less watering and fertilizer, and strengthens the soil – an ideal grain to mitigate climate change. Beer brewed with this grain has a nutty and slightly spicy flavor.

Stop by Blue Jay on game day, grab a sustainable bite and a refreshing beer at the Green Dining Alliance’s newest brewery.