After much anticipation, Narrow Gauge Brewing Company‘s new taproom (1545 N. Highway 67, Florissant) is officially open in Florissant. Beer fans can now enjoy their favorite brews in a space designed to elevate the experience. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Atmosphere
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Patrons are greeted by an open, industrial-style space that balances modern touches with rustic charm. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and industrial ductwork give the taproom a cozy, laid-back vibe. The spacious seating area is filled with a mix of vintage and modern chairs, and large windows allow plenty of natural light.
While the taproom does not offer onsite food service, guests are welcome to bring their own or order from Cugino’s Italian Bar & Grill, the beloved restaurant next door where Narrow Gauge got its start. Customers can dine in or carry out before stopping by for a pint.
And while the new taproom offers more space than its previous location, the focus hasn’t changed. “I have always been of the mentality that I want to brew beer for the beer enthusiasts, not just to push beers through the tap,” says owner Jeff Hardesty.
The Beer
The taproom currently features two dozen beers on tap, including several new releases:
- One Last One (8.6% ABV): A hazy Imperial IPA, heavily whirlpooled and double dry-hopped with Citra, Paradisi, Kohia Nelson, and Cryo Nectaron hops
- Third of the Way to März (6.0% ABV): A traditional-style Märzen, perfect for fall
- Double Raspberry Meersalz (4.8% ABV): Gose-style ale brewed with sea salt, coriander, and lactose, aged on raspberries for a tart, refreshing finish.
- Prince Fallen Flag (5.2% ABV): A hazy session IPA, dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops
Like other breweries, the ABV of the various beers often determines the pour sizes at the taproom. For example, the Prince Fallen Flag and Double Raspberry Meersalz are offered in 16-ounce pours, while the higher-ABV beers, such as Rocket Appliances (8.1% ABV) and OJ Run (8.6% ABV), are served in smaller portions, such as 9- and 13-ounce pours. And for those who want to grab beers to go, both four-packs and single 16-ounce cans are available, with limited cans and draft of Third of the Way to März distributed throughout Missouri.
The Background
Narrow Gauge Brewing Company has deep roots in Florissant. The brewery’s name honors the West End Narrow Gauge Railroad, which ran from St. Louis to Florissant in the late 1800s.
Hardesty, who started as a talented home brewer in 2010, initially planned to open the brewery in a rural area, but fateful meetings at beer events with Cugino’s owners Dave Beckham and Ben Goldkamp led to the creation of Narrow Gauge.
Founded in June 2016, the brewery originally operated in the basement of Cugino’s. What began as a cozy collaboration in a beloved local restaurant has since grown into a standalone brewery. With Narrow Gauge’s new taproom still located near Cugino’s, guests are encouraged to enjoy some Italian food while visiting the new taproom.
The brewery’s focus on creating a diverse range of high-quality beers has earned it a strong following, particularly for its hazy IPAs, some of the highest-rated in Missouri. The brewery has won several prestigious awards at the Great American Beer Festival, including a Silver Medal for German-Style Sour Ale in 2019 and a Gold Medal for Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse in 2023.
