01.05.2009 4:19 pm
500-beer bar coming to Chesterfield Valley
P-D Restaurant Critic and Food Writer
Just got a very interesting note from the PR person for Brad Lobdell, who intends to open a bar called the International Tap House at the corner of Edison and Long roads in the Chesterfield Valley by the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.
Some tidbits about the place:
More as I learn it.



Joe Bonwich has been the restaurant critic for the Post-Dispatch since 2002 and has covered the local food scene for various publications for more than 25 years. He does his best to maintain his anonymity so that he isn't recognized in restaurants (which is why his picture looks like it does).
Awesome. I’m thirsty.
So…this is a beer STORE that has beers on tap and an unnecessary assortment of glasses. Why can’t anybody get it right in the Valley?
Though with 500 different beers, I worry some of the rare ones will simply sit on the shelves for months at a time.
Call it a “store” if you will, but I can drink the beer on the spot; 40 on tap and 460 more in bottles is pretty impressive to keep cool and still accessible for my consumption. To me that makes it a bar.
And I heartily defend the “unnecessary assortment” of glassware. The difference between drinking an IPA from a pint glass versus a tulip or snifter is amazing. Similarly a wheat is significantly better in a tall flute (or failing that, a pilsner).
Let us pray that not one of those glasses are frosted.
The lack of food on site seems unfortunate, but here’s to hoping that might change with time.
Adam…they won’t sit on the shelf for too long if you buy them.
Also, to help clarify, we are a beer bar, but we are also offering the bottled beers to go, so everyone can mix and match to their hearts content. Stop by after we open in February and I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.
Brad Lobdell
International Tap House
Co-Owner
So Brad, where exactly will you be located? I know the area well, and I drove by there on the way home and looked for signs, etc. but saw nothing. Where are you opening exactly?
Hey Wildhorse, we will be located at the corner of Long Rd and Edison (next to Ghisallo’s bike shop). We are leasing the space that currently has the Ginger Pye sign. I think our sign will be up in the next couple of weeks. Hope to see you out there after we open in early February. Thanks for the interest.
Brad
internationaltaphouse.com
Hope you’ll be offering EKU28
Yes sir…EKU28 will be available by the bottle.
Brad
Brad,
What about the local, but non-local AB In-Bev product, “Michelob Golden”. Not to sure if AB In-Bev still plans to carry it, but I know they do not sell it in the region for fear of it out-selling Bud Light. For a local, American beer, it is by far my favorite light North American beer.
Matt