For more than two decades, Schlafly’s Stout & Oyster Festival was not only an event—it was a late-winter pilgrimage for St. Louis beer drinkers and oyster lovers. Fans of the frothy, briny weekend will have to put their plans on hold for this year, however, as Schlafly has officially postponed the festival for 2025, with no current plans to reschedule.
“We know how much the community looks forward to this event every year,” said Schlafly CEO David Schlafly. “We’re taking time to assess how to bring the event back in the future and deliver the experience our guests know and love.”
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The Tradition
It’s a tough break for those who’ve come to count on the annual arrival of 80,000 oysters—flown in overnight from both coasts—and the release of a dozen or more experimental stouts brewed just for the occasion.
In 2022, the brewery debuted its Red Hot Riplet Stout, a fiery nod to a St. Louis snack institution. Other cult favorites have included Tabasco, Maple Bacon, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Cherry Barrel-Aged stouts, all brewed exclusively for the fest and served in 5-ounce Stout Sampler flights at the Tap Room.
It was the only beer festival in town where you might sip something spicy, sweet, or smoky one minute, then cheer on a high-speed “shuck-off” the next. The “Star Shuckers,” as they came to be known, weren’t just working the raw bars; they were also part of the spectacle. Many traveled from as far as Nova Scotia and Puget Sound. Over the years, they became as synonymous with the festival as the stouts themselves. Schlafly honored them with commemorative beer cans, Pearl Pass perks, and prime billing on event posters. For many regulars, catching up with a favorite shucker was just as essential as grabbing the newest stout flight. The brewery called them “family,” and the crowd agreed.
Other Events
While the Tap Room in Downtown West won’t be transformed into the usual “Shuckerdome” anytime soon, Schlafly is still planning to host other community events at its Bottleworks location in Maplewood. Among them:
- Pickle & Pint Fest (August 16)
- Art Outside (September 5–7)
- Full Moon Festival (November 8)
