The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House has taken over former BeerSauce Shop locations in Creve Coeur and Sunset Hills

Brothers Danny and Jeffrey Gustafson partnered with longtime family friend Bob Sears to launch The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House last month to two St. Louis communities: Creve Coeur (10453 Olive Blvd.) and Sunset Hills (3880 S. Lindbergh Blvd.). Both storefronts were formerly franchise locations of BeerSauce Shop under the same ownership, but when the business trio had the opportunity to launch their own brand, they didn’t hesitate. The concept intends to build off what the BeerSauce Shops already offered while implementing multiple new functions, primarily shifting toward more of a lounge vibe and less of a retail shop, though retail items are still available for purchase.

The space is designed for sampling, chatting and relaxing with top-tier local and national bourbons and beers. The thoughtfully curated whiskey and craft beer list is constantly rotating and is meant to encourage customers to try something new every time they visit. Both locations offer a bar with at least 16 draft beers and about 80 whiskey options. While iconic bourbon brands such as Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey and major beer brands like Stone Brewing and Founders Brewing Co. will be available, small-batch bourbon brands such as Blacksmith and Yellowstone and local breweries such as 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Narrow Gauge Brewing Co. will also be featured. The Brothers also partner with local distilleries to select the best barrels and bottles for their customers. The current barrel pick is from Missouri’s Holladay Distillery, serving a barrel selected in partnership with the Gateway City Whiskey Society.

According to Jeff Gustafson, The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House pays special attention to the details and customer service. “Most of the people who work behind our bar know a great deal about beer,” said Gustafson. “About 80% of my staff has their Level 1 Cicerone certification.” This means they’re professionals with proven experience in selecting, acquiring and serving a wide range of beers, from hand-washing glassware to selecting the correct glass shape for each specific beer. On the cocktail side, expect classics like the Old-Fashioned, whiskey sour and Manhattan. “They’re all basic drinks, but they’re done properly,” said Gustafson. “We use all fresh ingredients; if we make a margarita, we freshly squeeze lime juice instead of using a sour mix. We make our own maple simple syrup and use it in our classic Old-Fashioned and whiskey sours.” 

In terms of the food menu, The Brother Beer & Bourbon House offers a variety of small plates and appetizers with an emphasis on local barbecue from local smokers such as Navin’s BBQ and KP Too in dishes like sliders, tacos and nachos. They also offer chips and queso, pretzel bites and wings. 

The Creve Coeur location is 3,000 square feet inside and can accommodate around 45 customers; they also have a back patio area with room for about 20 more. The Sunset Hills location is 2,275 square feet and can accommodate around 40 guests. This location has an area in the front of the store with tables and chairs for 10 more guests. Both places have an established customer base from their time as the BeerSauce Shop, and the owners looked to their customers for advice. “We hired a marketing firm and did interviews with our customers to try and figure out what they wanted,” said Gustafson. “They wanted a more homey, relaxed feel. They wanted a place to bring their kids; we didn’t just want to do a bar with bright lights and high-top tables anymore. We wanted more of a laid-back feel to hang out and taste our whiskeys and beers.” As such, The Brothers replaced most of their high-top tables with comfortable couches and armchairs. 

In addition to the drinks and food, the shop will host a variety of events, from private parties to ticketed tastings and dinners to free public events such as trivia nights. 

Both locations of The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House are open from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Lunch and dinner carryout is available at both locations. The kitchen closes 1.5 hours before the store closes. For more information, visit 3bhouse.com.