Steampunk Brew Works owner David Deaton has a very specific favorite sound: the bubbling of fermenting beer. He praises the process for its “babbling brook effect,” a phenomenon he’s been privy to for more than 30 years as a brewer.
Deaton and fellow Steampunk brewer Brandon Harrison have partnered with the St. Louis Science Center for the launch of the museum’s newest adult-only event series, “Science Center Up Late” (ages 21+). Neville Crenshaw, associate director of strategic planning and special projects at the Science Center, says this inaugural night is the chance to “show adults in St. Louis all of the STEM that’s going on [around town],” whether through music, art, or beer.
The Event
STEM (an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math) will be in no short supply on July 19. From 6–10 p.m., guests will be immersed in a supersonic world spanning the Science Center’s three floors.
Crenshaw says the team at the Science Center has “created little pockets throughout, where we’ve activated the space differently.” Some must-stops include the silent “quantum disco,” featuring two DJs, the atmospheric sound display in the Omnimax, and a visit by local artist 18 and counting.
Deaton and Harrison will introduce “STEMpunk,” a new beer created in honor of the event. A Japanese-style lager, the brew is light, crisp, and includes Sorachi Ace hops, which provide a “very citrusy flavor,” says Deaton. Deaton deems STEMpunk in the category of “slightly outside the box but not in a completely different box.” The brew embodies the evening, which aims to be adventurous but not outlandish, invoking a sense of wonder and whimsy.
Cocktails will also be available, in partnership with StilL 630, as well as mocktails.
“We need to have a drink that says, ‘This is something special that we’ve done with our community.’ We’ve leaned into a group that are experts in making unique beers, and you can only get it either here at the Science Center or at Steampunk,” says Crenshaw.
The Brewery
Located in Town & Country since May 2017, Steampunk’s interior has repurposed gears and an industrial vibe that reflect the brewery’s name. The space fuses the science of brewing—involving chemistry, biology, and physics—with the art of brewing (and beer drinking). Deaton even considers the glasses, which he says can be a game-changer for the flavor profile.
This isn’t the first time that the Science Center has partnered with Steampunk, and Crenshaw notes that the Science Center “doesn’t just want to do a thing for the experience—there also has to be a thoughtfulness to the STEM behind it.” Deaton predicts that guests will “be surprised, and learn new things.”
Tickets are $20 or $15 for members. Parking is free. Purchase tickets in advance here.
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