Full Glasses, Full Hearts
When Adolphus Busch arrived in St. Louis in the 1850s, he brought with him more than ambition- he brought a deep respect for craftsmanship. He knew the origin of every ingredient, from the spring water and yeast to the farmers who cultivated his hops and grains. The beers he brewed were new to a growing American city, yet rooted in centuries-old European tradition. That same philosophy- of knowing where things come from and honoring how they are made- lives on today.
Great Heart is the story of two worlds coming together.
Helena Valentine grew up between Switzerland and Germany, surrounded by hospitality and harvest. Her family spent generations in both the restaurant and hop industries, shaping a deep appreciation for quality ingredients, long-standing relationships, and the quiet discipline behind great food and beer.
At just 20 years old, she began her full-time career at Goldman Sachs in London, where she fell in love with the city’s vibrant restaurant scene, where concept, design, and cuisine come together to create something memorable. The pull of building something of her own while meeting her husband John, brought her to St. Louis, and together they realized it was the perfect place to build their shared dream of a brewery and restaurant.
While launching Great Heart, Helena pursued her MBA at Washington University in St. Louis, earning Beta Gamma Sigma honors and an Entrepreneurship Award. She graduated early and was recognized by Poets & Quants as an MBA to Watch, all while building the foundation of the brewery from the ground up.
John’s path to brewing was hands-on from the very beginning.
He spent over a decade working his way through the craft beer industry, starting by cleaning kegs and sweeping floors, learning every step of the process through experience and persistence.
His passion eventually took him to Bavaria, where he studied at Doemens and became a sixth-generation brewmaster, continuing a family legacy that began with his great-great-grandfather, Adolphus Busch.
It was in Munich, during his master brewing studies, that he met Helena. Together, they built Great Heart as a reflection of everything that shaped them.
They source noble hops from farms in Bavaria and Bohemia. Many of them relationships John & Helena’s family have cultivated for generations. Each beer is brewed with intention: balanced, precise, and rooted in European tradition. In the kitchen, Alpine-inspired dishes are prepared with the same philosophy: high-quality ingredients (no seed oils) treated with care.
At a time when much of the industry has leaned into extremes, Great Heart returns to something timeless: drinkability, craftsmanship, and connection.
In German, Gemütlichkeit describes a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and belonging. A Stammtisch is a table where regulars gather, not just to eat and drink, but to share life.
At Great Heart, every table is a stammtisch.
And every guest is welcomed as a regular.