Wellspent Brewing Co. might be the geekiest brewery in town

When Wellspent Brewing Co. (2917 Olive) threw out an invitation for industry folks to stop by for a beer just prior to their opening on March 2, brewing’s hoperati showed up in full force to sample Kyle Kohlmorgen’s beers. In a world rife with beer nerds and suds heads, Kohlmorgen ranks right up there with the geekiest of brewmasters. Here’s why:

The Man

Kohlmorgen’s a bona-fide chemical engineer who used to work for CRB, a leading facility design and engineering firm. Past projects include consulting engineering for the 2017 Schlafly Bottleworks bottling line modernization project and the $12 million dollar Boulevard Brewing Company’s 2014 expansion. “The Boulevard project was before my time, but I learned from these super-talented engineers," Kohlmorgen says.

To Build A Brewery

Kohlmorgen got down and dirty early with the complete gut rehab of the building, an early 20th century movie house that had stood vacant for many years. “At CRB, I acquired the skills to act as the general contractor for the build-out of Wellspent,” he says.

The Beers

Kohlmorgen really geeks out when it comes to hops, grain, and yeasts. “I’ve been working on our house saison for two or three years now.” He often talks about the beers he’s brewing with his wife and partner, Angela. “Angela loves to drink beer, but she doesn’t like to take it apart or talk it over. Sometimes, I’ll see her eyes glaze over, but what she thinks matters. She’s more than a casual beer drinker. I depend on her insights.”

The Mantra

Early in the process, Kohlmorgen crafted an old-fashioned mission statement that encapsulates the essence of what "wellspent" means to him and his wife. It’s writ large in a mural on the tasting room wall.

Coming Soon to a Brewery Near You

The Kohlmorgen’s have a penchant for history and tradition that clearly shows. They preserved a mirrored pair of plaster marquees from the original theater. The street fencing of the 100-seat patio incorporates the skeleton of an antique cast-iron storefront, a graceful touch and a gentle reminder of bygone shops of mid-town St. Louis.

Room at the Taps

Kohlmorgen’s appreciation for great beers shows in his selections of tap beers, which include revolving offerings from breweries around the country. This writer suspects Logboat’s Mamoot may have a permanent tap, however. “Mamoot is my wife Angela’s favorite beer,” he says. Until production ramps up, Wellspent’s own beers (predominantly lagers, sours, and Belgian-style beers) will only be available onsite.  

Angela Speaks

“Kyle is an engineer by design," she says. "I love beer; beer is a passion for Kyle. My knowledge follows what I like to drink. Kyle is a certified beer judge who knows beers inside and out. He’s a connoisseur with consummate knowledge of how to make, and appreciate, great beers.”