Brewers of Schlafly beer ready to sell – on certain conditions
St. Louis Brewery, maker of Schlafly craft beer, is for sale. But company founders Tom Schlafly and Dan Kopman say they are in no rush to sell their brewery, and they would strongly prefer a local ownership group that includes current brewery workers.
The main reason for the “for sale” sign outside St. Louis’ largest craft brewer is succession planning, they said. Schlafly, 61, who owns nearly 80 percent of the company, has no family interested in running the business. Kopman, 48, who holds about 20 percent, also does not see his school-age children becoming involved with the brewery.
Earlier this month they turned to the brewery’s senior staff to look for ways they could buy the company.
The brewery, which was founded in 1991, sells its beer under the Schlafly name and operates two brew pubs, in downtown St. Louis and Maplewood. It posted nearly $12 million in sales last year.