2 weeks Ago By Daniel Puma Feast Magazine
St. Louis is a hub of breweries, each with its own unique charm. Civil Life Brewing Co.
may hover a little under the radar, but it’s one such establishment that continues to evolve in subtle ways, staying true to its roots but always reaching into new territory to keep guests coming back. Dylan Mosley, Mike Bianco and Jake Hafner co-founded the brewery in 2011, which Hafner owns; thanks to their combined efforts, Civil Life just keeps growing better with age. A stalwart in the local beer world, Civil Life has adapted to accommodate the changing habits of guests while at the same time maneuvering through changes in the craft beer market over the last few years.
“You go back to 2011 through 2015 ...
there was this huge excitement around the [craft beer] industry. Everybody was getting in, and it was a great time to be part of it, no doubt,” Hafner says. But shifts in the bar scene – from the rise in nonalcoholic beverages to the craft cocktail revolution – post-pandemic drinking and dining habits have been tricky to navigate.
Hafner adds: “Younger people in 2020 turned 21 and didn’t [necessarily] go to a bar. They also didn’t think about going to bars and restaurants for jobs. And so, you’ve got a few years of just trying to get people back.
I think people through the pandemic also turned inward a bit, so their networks aren’t as big, and people just don’t go out as much as they used to.” To stay ahead of the game, Civil Life has quietly revamped most of its facilities while retaining its old-school pub charm. Inside, the warm wood that lines the space has taken on a new luster thanks to recent refinishing, and the front entrance has been blown out and replaced with large, west-facing windows, welcoming a golden-hour glow into the space as the sun sets.
New features are more obvious outside the bar, where the team took over the space to the north of the main building, clearing it out to add a dedicated parking lot along with a massive patio that wraps around to the front entrance. Ordering windows overlooking the patio keep things running smoothly inside and out for both staff and guests, and an outdoor space is framed by gardens and flower beds, infusing the setting with a natural beauty that complements the urban surroundings. “The flowers outside are as good as you’ll find in any facility anywhere, and mostly it’s my neighbor Margaret, who lives [nearby] and became one of my best friends,” Hafner says.
“She cares for the flowers and maintains them. And my mom’s a horticulturist – she helps with planting [along with] her friend Teresa, who comes down to help. Every single day I get called over to a table by someone who appreciates the beautiful gardens and their efforts.
” Although Civil Life’s brews are some of the most popular in St. Louis, with offerings like American brown ale, Angel and the Sword, Goal!den ale and Czech pilsner leading the ranks, they’re not the only things going on at the pub. Mindful of how drinking has changed over time, the trio of co-owners focuses on offering alternatives for people who may want something beyond beer when they visit.
It’s given Hafner a reason to cultivate a remarkable wine list. “It’s my passion project,” he says. “We have well over 100 bottles on the list now.
We’ve got most regions represented, and a lot of different price ranges, too. We’re just trying to create an environment that invites people down. We just don’t want to lose those beer drinkers that are in a group, because there are other people who want to drink wine.
” Civil Life has consistently promoted the idea of civility as a way to enjoy life in a relaxed and comforting environment. From top to bottom, this prevailing philosophy is exemplified in the details. The team’s dedication to providing a diverse and high-quality beverage selection is just one example of how the brewery strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for its patrons.
Civil Life Brewing Co., 3714 Holt Ave., Tower Grove South, St.
Louis, Missouri, thecivillife.com.
