Civil Life Brewing Co.
Brewery · Tower Grove South ·

Civil Life Brewing Co.

Brewery · Tower Grove South ·

Brewery with draft beers, snacks, outdoor patio & cozy pub

great beer
friendly staff
outdoor patio
good food
super friendly
beer selection
soup sunday
hang out
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null
Civil Life Brewing Co. by null

Information

3714 Holt Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 Get directions

$$

Credit card accepted
Debit card accepted
Contactless accepted
Free street parking
Bar

Information

Static Map

3714 Holt Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 Get directions

thecivillife.com
@thecivillife
𝕏
@TheCivilLife

$$

Features

•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Free street parking
•Bar
•Alcohol
•Beer
•Wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jan 31, 2026

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@onthegrid
18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

On the Grid : Civil Life Brewing Company

"The Civil Life Brewing Co. harkens back to the old style of beer hall that doubles as a community forum. Walking into this dark wooded haven, you are immediately met with the smell of brewing and the feeling of camaraderie. If you find yourself with a free hour or a free weekend, be sure to stop in and get your hands on a pint of some of the finest local craft brews this side (or any side) of the Mississippi. Just be sure that you have cash as it's a cash-only establishment." - Grain

https://onthegrid.city/st-louis/tower-grove-south-city/civil-life-brewing-company
Civil Life Brewing Co.
@onthegrid
18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

"Civil Life Brewing Company, Tower Grove South City by Grain. The Civil Life Brewing Co. harkens back to the old style of beer hall that doubles as a community forum. Walking into this dark wooded haven, you are immediately met with the smell of brewing and the feeling of camaraderie. If you find yourself with a free hour or a free weekend, be sure to stop in and get your hands on a pint of some of the finest local craft brews this side (or any side) of the Mississippi. Just be sure that you have cash as it's a cash-only establishment."

St. Louis
Civil Life Brewing Co.
@kellya
40 Postcards · 11 Cities
St. Louis Drinks
The Civil Life Brewing Co.

Azakyte H.

Google
Very chill environment... Staff was superb.... Byron was such a cheerful fella and 5 Stars to him. . The Bangers and Mash were on point. Had a wonderful time and most certainly will return for a visit soon.

Stephen M.

Google
Without a doubt the best brewery in STL. Very English-style beers that are sessionable and top-notch. Do you know how to tell this place is proper? They have 1-2 beers ON CASK!!! You can barely find that in the US. When we have visitors this is the brewery to take them to. Also, you can get a half-pint for exactly half the price! That is so unbelievably awesome and rare these days.

Jeremy A.

Google
Civil Life has everything you’re looking for in a brewery. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a good food offering, and delicious beer. Tried a few beers per the recommendation of the bartender and loved all of them. Got to enjoy a nice darts setup which was awesome. A nice surprise was one of the best smash burgers I’ve had in awhile. Extremely well cooked and juicy. Definitely worth a visit for any beer lover

Rosie H

Google
Me and my co workers came here when we visited St. Louis for a site visit. Loved the outside area, bet it’s nice in warmer weather. The beers were good, I had their Czech Pilsner. We also ordered a lot of food off the menu to share. Wish the pot pie had a little more salt but everything was still good!

Aileen M.

Google
Our crew was from out of town and stayed within walking distance of this place. We were spoiled with nice weather so we returned a few times to enjoy drinks on the patio! But the inside was also soooo cozy and comfortable. The staff was very kind and helpful.

Anne

Google
Had a great time at Civil Life! Took off one star because there weren’t many beers in my wheelhouse, but my husband was very happy with the beer selection. They have a small indoor taproom and two outdoor patio areas (one of which is huge). Love their bar top chalkboard system for keeping track of your tab! They offer half pours which is nice. You can bring your own food. The woman who helped us was super friendly. We will definitely be back!

Suzanne C.

Google
Lovely community brewery. The soup we had was good. The bread that accompanied it was fantastic. Recommend. Enjoyed a board game after our soup dinner. They do have charging stations for electric cars on their parking lot.

Christopher M.

Google
I am a repeat visitor. I keep returning because the selection of food is classic staples but made at a higher quality than what one would typically find at a brewpub. Many ingredients are locally sourced, some items are seasonally rotated in or out, and the food always pairs with beer of which they have several. The service has always been exceptional and without the condescension found at other places. The beer selection, which also has some rotating members, has a flavor for every pallet every season.
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Madhura J.

Yelp
What a cool brewery !! A group of us went for a happy hour and Jake was able to help me reserve the darts area . We tried a bunch of apps and entrees/ salads etc and everything was delicious. They have a ton of vegetarian and kid friendly food options. They have great beer on tap but also have a lots of wines / cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages. This place is such a vibe. They have soup Sunday all winter and I can't wait to go back and try the soups ! 1000 percent recommend !!
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Mark S.

Yelp
Soup Sunday was "happening", in a big -time way! Their first rendition of the '26 year. Calypso Beef; Chicken, Greens and Barley; these were the two soups we tried, along with the Union Loafers sour dough and herbed butter. Make sure you pair the soups with their ESB or Cask Oat Brown. The malty brews match so well with the hearty soups. And if you need more carbs, get the Pretzels with Beer Cheese- don't miss it----Cheers!
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Avonlea S.

Yelp
This is a great spot with a creative and unique lineup of beers you won't find anywhere else. Each one has its own personality, and the atmosphere matches the beer...laid-back, but full of character. This is the perfect spot for hanging out, tasting something new, and soaking in the unique vibe. I highly suggest giving Angel with a Sword a try! It is my favorite!
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Norman L.

Yelp
Favorite brewery in town, been twice in the last couple of weeks, once for the State of the Beer Union and went today to pick up some Oktoberfest on Wurst Day! Best beers in town and the best patio. Bartenders and servers are always super friendly and just nice people. Give them a try if you have not!

Mark B.

Yelp
My favorite place in St. Louis. The beer is exceptional, the food is marvelous (Soup Sundays are a mainstay, and they have the best burger in the city), the space is warm and welcoming, and the people who own it and who work here are the absolute best.
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Michelle L.

Yelp
In the Fall I started seeing the ads that Civil Life Brewing Company is doing Soup Sundays. I have always wanted to go here and I love soup. I met a friend on a decently nice Sunday in December. We each ordered a beer and the 'Loaded' Cauliflower & Potato Soup. They were both great! I love the space and the vibe here. There is seating on both levels and outside. Friendly staff as well. We'll be back!
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Di S.

Yelp
Jake and the crew at Civil Life are amazing! Not only is the brewery a relaxed and easy place to hang out, with fantastic beer, but their professionalism and thoroughness made our private party at the brewery a wild success. Thanks for all the great food, thoughtful planning, and stellar hospitality Civil Life!
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J. G.

Yelp
Great service! Good drink menu with plenty of NA options. Gorgeous huge patio! Full of pollinators and flowering plants complete with a few monarch butterflies enjoying their dinner. Tight but delicious food menu. The pretzels and beer cheese... so fresh! This is what pretzels should be and typically strike out for me in STL. Smash burger was yum with nice peppery crispy-ness on a good toasty bun, mustardy relish and gooey American cheese. There's a reason they are celebrating their 14th year & the space and landscape gets better and better.
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Ryan H.

Yelp
Try: Honey Wheat! Why: Delightful brewery with two window outdoors to order and spend time under the sun with some refreshing beer. I enjoyed their Honey Wheat. Also tried their American Brown, which was a good classic. I do wish they had flights so I can try more of their beers. Notes: Lots of park bench seating outdoors. Also had an indoor bar with darts and ring games. Fun Giraffic Park display in front. Chill place to enjoy some good beer.
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Julie A.

Yelp
Very cool space. Inside is very German in a funny and slightly kitschy way. The patio is lovely, really like the plants. Everybody was so big and healthy. Remarkably quiet for how busy it was. The beer speaks for itself. The glassware was sparklingly clean and well organized behind the bar. Honestly want that as a job (is that a job?) They have a big parking lot that was full on a Friday at 7 pm (in other news water is wet) but there was a bunch of street parking. It's not really close to anything (ie other breweries, music venues or entertainment corridors). Not that it needs to be just like probs not the move for dinner before the Fox.
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Jack P.

Yelp
Stellar atmosphere. I went on a bright cloudy day and the outdoor seating was beautiful. Loved the plants. Enjoyed my beer but hadn't had the chance to try any food. I went during a quiet time, and the service was speedy.

Stephanie G.

Yelp
First, the beer and the outside patio are great. I really want to love this place but it's becoming like a daycare center. Seriously, parents you need to control your kids - you're at a BAR! We could barely hear ourselves talk over all of the screaming. Management/owners - you should control this too, unless that's what you want. There are too many choices nearby for us adults to put up with that. Unless that changes we'll be going elsewhere...and I used to really like the place
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Courtney F.

Yelp
We drive by here all the time and had NO idea this was tucked back here. It's like a little oasis. A great location and they've really done a lot of work to make it look great. Super welcoming and a great patio to enjoy your beer. They definitely have a style of beers and cater to a few options, but they do those styles well. They also had a great wine menu which was a great surprise. We had fantastic service all night and enjoyed the clean spaces and bathrooms. We will definitely be making stops here with friends to grab a few beers.
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Suzane C.

Yelp
Great neighborhood brewing company. We enjoyed walking with our little dog on a beautiful night to have a drink and sit outside and enjoy the evening. There was a large screen TV to enjoy on one evening outside and another evening there was a live string band playing music that set the tone perfectly for chatting and enjoying a beer. The service was quick and efficient. They were enthusiastic and happy to help us make our selections.
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Güneş Ö.

Yelp
I love their beer, esp. American brown. My go-to craft when I go out and if some bar has it. Can't believe I have not visited their own brewery before. So, first time here and the weather was gorgeous, we sat outside. There are lots of tables & umbrellas. Pets are allowed! Parking situation is limited. Their parking lot is small, there is some street parking available around their fenced building. There are inside and outside bars to place food/drink orders, lines go quick. We tried some of their seasonal beer today, we like the Oatmeal one and British Bitter. They let us try before we order, great service! Their companion pretzel with melted beer cheese tasty as well. Their taco soup is mind blowing, comes with sour bread. So good!

Patrick M.

Yelp
Just an update to a previous review, I tried the Vegan Veggie Pita recently at Civil Life and was blown away by all the different flavors. The pickled green tomato really makes it. Add an order of the awesome spinach & artichoke dip and you're set! Both go great with the Altbier, by the way.
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Caitlin K.

Yelp
We love going to Civil Life and drinking on the patio. You can usually catch a City game on the projector outside too. The food is great, and I want to go to Soup Sunday sometime soon.
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Amanda M.

Yelp
Two words: SOUP SUNDAY. Have I ever had anything else to eat here? No. Do I need to? No. Soup Sundays at Civil Life make winter worth living through. 3-4 different soups served every Sunday with two hunks of fresh Union Loafers bread and a glob of herb butter..what more could you want? Oh yeah, the beer is good, too.

Marcia P.

Yelp
A fun afternoon. What's not to love, beer and a game. Great selection of beers on tap.
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Shivani S.

Yelp
Have been going here for the past few Sundays and loving Soup sundays. The soups are fresh and have different flavors each week. Great space on the patio and indoor space as well!
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Morgan J.

Yelp
I love love LOVE Civil Life. Back in 2016 my husband and I had our "rehearsal dinner" there before the expansion. We've moved out of town but I've loved seeing the brewery grow. I've been able to visit recently and got to have one of their cask ales, Angel and Sword which is one of my favorites and took a 6 pack of another one of their beers to go. I also got their veggie pita, which I thought used to be a sandwich but it still tastes the same which is so nice. It's my favorite brewery in STL and I cannot wait to go back.
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Christina M.

Yelp
Service was wonderful! Great indoor and outdoor spaces. TVs and projectors in both areas, a great spot to catch a soccer game! Food is very good and the beers are top notch.
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Jess G.

Yelp
What a glow up! I haven't been to Civil Life in years, and after going today I'm sorry I waited so long. Nice patio with plenty of shade, dog-friendly, just lots of space to spread out and kid-friendly too. First of all, credit card accepted (formerly cash only). Seasonal soup Sundays from the chef over at Grand Pied (I think?). Generous serving size and served with Union Loafers bread and herb butter. Next time we'd probably opt for the beer cheese over sriracha cream cheese with pretzels, but still very good. For the wine lovers and NA drinkers, lots of great options (I noticed the full selection from Athletic Brewing and some natural wines). I'm excited to go back and try food from their normal menu.
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Sandra K.

Yelp
Nice place. Beer was good. Lots of seating and good ambience. Didn't get a chance to hang out outside because the weather is truly whack here in St. Louis. Other than that it was a good little stop.
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Christina Z.

Yelp
Great spot!! Bartenders were friendly and helpful when picking out drinks. You can hangout and play darts or one of the many games they have upstairs.
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Casey M.

Yelp
This is a great place to go if you enjoy drinking beers and hanging out. They have a wide selection of beers, and great bartenders who help you choose between the beers. They even let me try a couple before picking. On top of great beer, they also have a lot of fun games including darts, board games and that game where you swing a little metal hoop attached to a string and hope it gets caught on a bull horn on the wall?? You know what I mean. There's pictures of it. Anyways, they also have food, although I didn't end up getting any food. Mostly appetizer-y/bar food, which makes sense. It's a bar. And a really great outside area too. They have a bar window outside which is convenient. Overall, great vibe there, very chill and very friendly. 10/10 would come back!
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Mary S.

Yelp
Loved the outdoor seating and the food was delicious! We had the ribs, tomato grilled cheese, and the Caesar salad (awesome croutons!). We also had a bottle of the elderberry spritz wine from Italy. Loved we will return this summer.
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Andrew S.

Yelp
This is a great local brewery with classic beers. Their selection of craft beers does not include experimental flavors, but rather their beers are high-quality versions of the style that they brew. Angel and the Sword ale is one of my favorites. Both the interior and exterior offer a great atmosphere to meet up with friends. On Sundays, they sell soup with rotating flavors and is one of my favorite times to come to Civil Life.

Kelly W.

Yelp
Kind ppl, good beer and tasty treats! My son had a smash burger and my daughter had the Mac and cheese..both were delicious Thank you!
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Tasha B.

Yelp
Great brewery! This is definitely a malt forward brewery (which isn't what we typically go for) but you can tell that they care about their beer and even if they aren't my favorite type of beer, I can tell they are still good beers. Highly recommend. They also have a darts area!!!

Glenn T.

Yelp
Great brewery and selection of beers! Recommend the brown ale. Bar tenders were knowledgeable and friendly to chat with.
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Lukas S.

Yelp
I rate breweries by three things: 1. Beer 2. Food 3. Hang Civil Life gets 10/10 on all three!
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Leslie H.

Yelp
This is a pretty cool hangout. The inside seating area is fairly small, but there is plenty of outside seating and other places to stand and hangout throughout the building. The beer selection is good, and I love that they have a half-pint option as well as the pint option. They also have a small selection of food items (but we were just there for a quick beer). We'll go back with friends.

Matt W.

Yelp
Excellent food and beer. They nail the styles of beer that they set out to brew and add some interesting twists at times. Lovely staff. Highly recommend!
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Charles M.

Yelp
Can be tricky to find! I drove by it twice. Look for warehouse lot. Fairly busy on a Friday evening, yet still adequate parking! Cash only, ATM available. Lots of selection. Half pours (10oz) are only $2.50 and allows you to try more of their plentiful selection of brews. What a deal! Kitchen smells delicious. Did not order food this visit. This charming location offers 2 levels of seating, tables, bars, and islands for standing. You can see the brewing equipment through the windows. I tried STL best brew- medium-bodied, soul-warming deliciousness for the cold winter. Down-to-earth, not too heavy. Craveable, hearty, "earthy," but not too heavy. Nice subtle aromatics. Scottish Ale-first thing I noticed-stronger,savory aromatics. First punch of taste is a bit of acidity, which then blends into a lovely sweet note from the malt. The sweetness lingers for a few moments, leaving a pleasant, balanced afterthought leaving you craving another sip, and then another, and another. Highly craveable as well. Cask Wee Heavy - 6.1%, much stouter. Nice, nutty notes. Less carbonation, bit warmer serving temp due to pump delivery system and chilling method compared to traditional draft, but it seems to deliver more flavor. More earthy notes, and taste lingers after drink. At this point, I'm 3 half pours into my evening The Angel & the Sword - not quite to my taste buds. Friendly service! Remember kids, "Be Civil!" Overall had a nice, Civil night, I mean...life

Lannon L.

Yelp
Love the beer. Love playing darts here. The patio is amazing and the food is really good. There's always a good beer on tap and the bartenders are always really nice. It can get a little too family friendly as in sometimes to many kids. But otherwise it's an amazing brewery with great beer.
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Nicholas Z.

Yelp
What can I say, I love Civil life beer! I love the concept, the workers, and the beer. The Brown Ale is my favorite and I travel around the U.S and have had some of the best craft beers out there and civil life competes!
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Anna M.

Yelp
Civil Life is still one of our go-to spots, even during the pandemic. But right now, we are doing carry out. It is super easy to order online, and they still have tons of their beer options to select from, while not all though. I was sad to see the German wheat not up on the site when I ordered yesterday, but it may be seasonal! Check their website, because the hours for picking up are different than their usual hours. But, I believe you can order online at any time and then pick-up during schedule hours. They are not selling food right now, but I look forward to when they do again. I also appreciated the note from the owner, Jake, on their website, thanking the community for their support during the hard year. I am also grateful for community this year, and that Civil Life is a part of my STL community. Also especially looking forward to patio season this year!

Cindy S.

Yelp
Another great visit to Civil Life. The American Brown is what other breweries aspire to have. Honestly though there are so many great beers. I wish their brewery was in St Charles but I will certainly drive into St Louis to have great beer, terrific food, and fantastic pub/patio.
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Joseph R.

Yelp
Like their pub. Great place and interesting people and wonderful beer. Hope they reopen soon.
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Francisco C.

Yelp
great beer, loved the variety. is family friendly, kist need to work on adding better burgers though
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Tia H.

Yelp
Atmosphere - 5 star! The building - Very cool! 5 star Food - Very good. 5 star Staff: outstanding 5 star Drinks - the beer is outstanding!
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Jon M.

Yelp
I absolutely love this place! The staff and owner Jake are the kindest people on earth. Their model is Be Civil. You will see all walks of life at the brewery enjoying an ice cold beer.

Gooch D.

Yelp
The bar tenders are always helpful slowing you to tasted the different beers. Food was great too!
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Audrey B.

Yelp
Very fun place, lots of things to do between drinking beer and playing darts, the one game where you get the hoop around the nail...a fun environment.
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Kathy M.

Yelp
This brewery was a little hard for us to find, but it feels very much like a neighborhood place. They have a large outdoor patio, not much private parking and 2 floors of seating inside. Most of the seating is large community tables with a few very cool, very private booths upstairs. It seems to be a great place to hang out with friends or even have small meetings upstairs during the day. It looks like they even host a book club, which I think is a very fun idea! Since I'm not a beer drinker, I can only share the opinions of my group who thought the beer was solid and loved the idea of various sizes for their growlers. They brew English style beer, so if that's not your favorite, you might just want to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. They have a very tiny space for their food prep, but I'm guessing that what they choose to offer, they do well. We did try the smoked Gouda & artichoke dip which was very good.

Rob R.

Yelp
A beautiful looking business both inside and out. Extremely clean! Open outdoor patio bring your friends. Best beer all around. Drop in & become Civil for Life. You will love this one of a kind gem in St. Louis.
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Mark P.

Yelp
This place is well established in the neighborhood and produces an nice array of brews that cover most tastes. Don't try to compare this place to the large craft houses bent on expanding into national markets. They are aimed at making tasty brews and sharing them with friends and neighbors. There is a nice list of snacks and sandwiches to fill out an appetite. We really enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the good eats.

Leslie M.

Yelp
My husband & I visited Civil Life yesterday (Friday) afternoon for drinks and a late lunch. Civil Life recently expanded and has a bigger outdoor patio with huge European-style umbrellas with heaters, pretty gardens and an area for live music. The indoor area has a cozy atmosphere I love and friendly, helpful staff. There are usually about 10 types of beer (British-style ales) made onsite on draft, including some cask and nitro options. They also have a solid wine list, by the glass or bottle. Civil Life sells canned beer and bottles of wine to-go, too. We both had the turkey, avocado, Gouda sandwich which comes with choice of side (salad, slaw or mac & cheese). The sandwich was delicious with a slight smokey taste. The side salad was generous with mixed greens, chopped pepperoncini and chopped roasted red peppers. My husband liked his slaw and his turkey sandwich, too. We've also recently enjoyed the hummus with pita, celery & carrot sticks (nice size to share) and the pretzel bites with cheese dipping sauce. Civil Life has been solid and consistent since its opening 11 years ago. It's a great place to hang out with friends and have great beer made right there.