This week, we got a sneak peek at what’s brewing at the soon-to-open 4 Hands Brewing Co. Will Johnston, a former brewer for Goose Island Beer Co., in Chicago, and Lucette Brewing Co., in Wisconsin, will serve as the brewmaster at 4 Hands, as first reported by STLHops’ Mike Sweeney. Johnston is opening the craft brewery with his partner, Kevin Lemp.
Lemp is a native of St. Louis who has been affiliated with beverage alcohol distributor Glazer’s for nearly nine years. Lemp was promoted to division manager before taking a job with Gallo Winery in Illinois. After spending two and a half years with the company, he returned to Glazer’s one year ago and is currently director of sales for the company’s E.&J. Gallo Winery and malt portfolios. He will leave the company after June.
Lemp gave us a tour of the brewery’s headquarters at 1220 S. Eighth St., one block west of the Seventh Street exit for Interstate 44/55. Construction began inside the former warehouse space this week and, if all goes according to plan, St. Louisans will be sipping craft beer in the 4 Hands tasting room by August.
Check out our Facebook page for a sneak peek at what’s brewing at 4 Hands.
This article appears in May 1-31, 2011.