June 2010  •  St. Louis Brewery co-founders Tom Schlafly and Dan Kopman say they've begun talking with the company's senior staff about succession planning.

February 2011  •  A dozen potential investors, all from the St. Louis area, sign confidentiality agreements to inspect the brewery's financial documents.

Late spring  •  Principals of Clayton-based Sage Capital LLC begin talks with Schlafly and Kopman.

December  •  Schlafly and Kopman say they are in "very serious discussions" with potential buyers.

Wednesday  •  The brewery and Sage Capital announce a deal that will transfer a 60 percent ownership stake to a group of investors led by Sage. Schlafly and Kopman will retain minority stakes. The deal is expected to close in several months, pending regulatory approval.