Before Canvitational, Get To Know - Morgan Street Brewery

We are getting pretty excited for the upcoming Canvitational event happening later this month and we are VERY impressed with the brewery lineup.  We want to get to know each of the participating breweries a little bit better.  So, we've sent out a six pack questionnaire to each of them and we wanted to share them with you. 

First in our series is Dustin Chalfant, brewer at Morgan Street Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Morgan Street brewery is housed in the Schoelhorn-Albrecht Machine Company building, one of the oldest on Laclede's Landing in St. Louis.  Their offerings include mainly lager-based beers (see Commandment VII), along with other seasonal options throughout the year.

Look for them and the following beers at the event.  

Black Bear- This light flavored black lager is our version of a classic schwarzbier. 

Honey Wheat – This American style unfiltered wheat beer is great anytime. The aroma is pleasantly grainy and sweet with a touch of honey.

Golden Pilsner – This Bohemian styled Pilsner is rich and malty. The hop character is spicy due to the use of Czech Saaz hops.

Oktoberfest/Marzen – This classic German lager is noted for its smooth, clean, and rather rich malt character.

Now, without further ado, here's Dustin - 

1. What music do you hear most often on the brew deck?  

We listen to Pandora a lot.  We have a Sublime station that plays a lot of roots-rock-reggae.  The Dirty Heads, Simplified, Ballyhoo, etc.  However, whenever we feel like rocking out we usually just throw on some Death Metal.

2. What's your brewing mission? What are you trying to accomplish with your beer?

Due to the fact that we are a 'lager house,' our mission is blow peoples minds with what lagers can be.  Sure we strive to make perfect examples of traditional lager styles, but we do a lot of ale styles with lager yeast, imperial pilsners, oak aging in stainless, etc.  As far as what we hope to accomplish, well that's easy, we want people to smile big when they try our beer.

3. How many beards can be found in the brewery on any given day?  

We are a staff of 3, two guys and a girl so 2/3 isn't bad right?  I am pretty sure Rachel appreciates not being the bearded lady in the brewery. 

4. Which beers outside of your own do you enjoy? What beer do you wish you came up with? Why?

Too many to list.  It is an ever changing thing.  That is the best part with so many breweries around, you can have tried one particular style of beer a bunch of times and then you come across a twist to it that you never saw coming.  I don't think that there are any beers that I wish that I had come up, there are some names but no particular beers. 

5. What's your go-to shift beer after a long day brewing?

In house its hard to say since we rotate quite a bit, but if I am out and about you would usually find me with Lagunitas IPA.  Its always consistent and always great.  

6. What do you drink when you aren't drinking beer?  Are you on #teamradler?

I stick to unsweet iced tea.  Its my other thing.  There used to be a massive amount of soda consumption in my days, but I am trying to just stick to things 'brewed' these days.

Many thanks to Dustin and the Morgan Street crew.  We look forward to having your beer at the event!

What is the Canvitational?

On Saturday, September 28th, 2013, the inaugural CANvitational will enlighten patrons to sample craft beer from award winning breweries from across the USA, enjoy local Indy eats provided by food trucks and music (DJ Helicon and DJ Action Jackson), in an urban downtown atmosphere.

Tickets are available and the event will feature some familiar breweries, as well as many out of state.  You can find more information about them and the event at http://canvitational.com/.