Month: May 2016

May 27, 2016

Goose Island Migrates through Kansas City

We missed you last year, Goose Island Migration Week, but thanks for coming back with a bang!  Human Foosball, rare Goose Island Beer, a Free Dinner, Flight Schools, and more await us as Goose Island flocks to Kansas City.

Goose Island tours their Migration Week coast to coast to promote their brand.  They started this year in New Orleans in March, and will complete their migration in Asheville, NC in November.

So, let’s talk abFoosballout this Human Foosball because it sounds amazing.  Up-Down worked with the local representative from Goose Island to come up with something fun and unique for Kansas City.  Human Foosball was the winner.  Such a good idea, in fact, that Goose Island will be taking the event to the rest of their tour.

Bleachers, announcers, fun prizes, and rare beers from Goose Island will be at the event that will be held in the southwest parking lot of Up-Down.  If you’ve never been to Up-Down, it’s a 21+ arcade bar with over 50 games, pinball machines, skee ball, and 48 beers on tap.  It’s a laid back atmosphere with a great patio upstairs and the likes of 80s wrestling and American Gladiators on the TVs.

We tried to sign up for a team, but unfortunately our team wasn’t one that was randomly chosen.  We’ll still be there cheering on the teams that did get chosen!  Check in for teams is at 6pm and the tournament will begin at 7pm, but get there early to secure a good spectator spot.  There will be no cover charge.

GI Migration

Here is a full list of events:

Tuesday, May 31

  • Event: Goose Island Human Foosball Tournament

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Location: Up-Down Arcade

101 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108

Description: The Migration Week crew from Goose Island is in Kansas City for the first time in two years. We couldn’t think of any other way to say we’re sorry for being gone so long than to bring a bunch of rare beers, build a human foosball field and invite all our friends (and your friends too) to join us. Do you need anything else? Well how about Goose Island brewer Bill Savage. He will be there too. There is no better way to start your week. Spots are VERY limited so clear your calendars and invite your friends. You weren’t doing anything else on Tuesday anyways.

Tournament Details

All teams slots have been filled.

$150 per team ($25 per person) – All proceeds benefiting the KC Pet Project.

Registration includes: Beer for the evening, one game guaranteed, Goose Island swag and your chance to raise the cup.

Check In: 6 p.m.

Games start: 7 p.m.

Games are 10 minutes long

Wednesday, June 1

  • Event: Deconstruction of Bourbon County Stout

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Location: Grain to Glass

1611 Swift Ave., North Kansas City, MO 64116

Description: Very few people have ever tasted Bourbon County Stout BEFORE it goes into the barrel. Thanks to the Migration Week team, you will now have the chance. Join Goose Island brewer Bill Savage as he walks you through a sensory experience that is the brewing process of Bourbon County Stout. Class includes exposure to all the solid ingredients of a BCS brew, liquid samples from the brewing process, finishing with a tasting of fresh Bourbon County Stout (and maybe a few rarities).

Beers Featured: Bourbon County Stout 2015, Vintage BCS

RSVP Here: https://bcsdeconstructionkc.eventbrite.com

 

  • Event: Grit & Grain Documentary Viewing

Time: 8-11 p.m.

Location: The Foundry

424 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111

Description: To the folks at Goose Island, Bourbon County Stout has always been more than liquid in a bottle. That’s why a group of employees set out to uncover the full story of Bourbon County Stout.

What we found was a story larger than we had ever realized. A story that crosses state lines, and spans generations—from the loggers who down the American White Oak used to make bourbon barrel staves, to the distillers that fill and age bourbon on those staves. This is Grit & Grain. This is what it really takes to get Bourbon County Brand Stout into your hands.

Be a part of our team as we watch our first full-length documentary on the big screen. Join us to see why the folklore is as rich and layered as the beer itself as you sample Bourbon County Stout.

Event Details

o   Event starts at 8 p.m. in the parking lot of The Foundry.

o   Movie will begin around 8:45 p.m.

o   Blankets and chairs are encouraged.

o   Carryout from The Foundry and local restaurants will be available.

o   Proof of RSVP will get you one complimentary pour of Bourbon County Stout

Beers Featured: TBD

RSVP here: http://gritandgrainkansascity.eventbrite.com

 

Thursday, June 2

  • Event: Free Beer Dinner at Rye

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Rye

10551 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206

Description: You love Chef Colby Garrelt’s soul food at Rye and you love Chef Patrick Ryan’s authentic Mexican food at Port Fonda.  Now, see the two chefs in action and collaborating together for a Goose Island dinner.

A wholly unique meal that shows off the chefs’ agility, plus a new expression of flavors.  Expect inspired Southern comfort food from Colby with a twist of Mexican flair from Ryan – and lots of Goose Island beer.

 

Friday, June 3

  • Event: Flight School

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Location: Bier Station

120 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64114

Description: Looking to learn about and taste more of our beers? No problem. Join us at Flight School! Our brewer Bill Savage will walk you through a sampling of some core Goose Island brands, with an appearance from a few of our most sought out beers and the story behind each one of them. Cheers!

 

  • Event: First Friday Goose Island Celebration of Beer

Time: 7-12 a.m.

Location: Ruins Pub

1715 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Description: First Friday, a Kansas City monthly tradition, will be that much better on June 3, as Goose Island and the Migration Week crew partners with Ruins Pub to host an evening with art, music, charity and of course, those rare beers of ours. A partnership between Kansas City and Chicago artists will happen live, while multiple vintages of BCS will be on tap.

 

KansasCityBeer.com will be at Up-Down on Tuesday and Grain to Glass on Wednesday, so come for Goose Island’s events and to say hello to us.

Continue Reading

May 5, 2016

Tips for Homebrewers

If you’re reading this, you probably already know how to homebrew so these tips are more for how to present your beers to the public.  We all love homebrewed beers.  They’re exploratory, creative, inventive, and overall a great hobby.  It’s a great way to meet new people who share a common interest.  With National Homebrew Day on Saturday, May 07, and the festival season underway, I have a few tips for homebrewers.  Whether you share just with your friends, pour at a festival, or are at the edge of operating on a larger level here are the tips.

Sharing with Friends

If you want honest feedback, tell them so and be able to accept the bad things they have to say.  We usually don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, but if we’re given permission to be honest without the fear of hurting feelings, we’ll be more open to tell the truth.  Instead of a, “It’s pretty good.” we’ll be more likely to suggest adding more hops or less mint in the next batch.

Be receptive of constructive criticism.  Maybe your friends aren’t into beer as much as you are, but they still have valid opinions (if they didn’t, why are you sharing your beer with them?).

Bring enough for everyone.  If you are going to a party with a lot of people, maybe skip bringing your beer if you don’t have enough.  Try not to make people feel left out.

Get your beers on Untappd.  Your friends may be a little biased, but, hey, those first few 5 star ratings will help you in the long run.

Pouring at a Festival

Get your social media set up.  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter – we want to see you succeed and want to follow you for updates.

Have a QR code or link to your beers on Untappd.  Make it easy for us to rate your beers!

Business cards are like $10 for 500 on VistaPrint, so why not buy a pack to hand out?  Don’t forget to put your social media channels on them.

PretzelsSnacks are great to hand out at festivals and something I see more commonly at homebrew festivals than big beer fests.  Pretzel necklaces, boiled peanuts, bread made from spent grains, all good festival snacks!

Talk, talk, talk!  Talk to everyone who’s trying your beers.  The more people you talk with, the more support you will get maybe leading to something bigger than homebrewing.

Have fun with it!  Make your table the party everyone wants to attend.  Themes are fun, too!  With so many breweries and homebrewers at festivals, make a way to stand out.

Handing out free stuff like buttons, magnets, and stickers is always a hit!

Operating at a Larger Level

You should have your Untappd and other social media set up, but now it’s time for your website.  You can set up sites relatively easily or get a friend to help.  Keep it simple to start and when you’re ready hire someone to make it look awesome.

Share your beers with bloggers (I’ll take some!) and local media to promote your beers and business plan.

Share your beers with local breweries to get some professional thoughts on quality and to build a relationship with the community.  It may seem counterproductive, but our beer community is very welcoming and encouraging of new breweries.  Local breweries are going to be extremely helpful in figuring out laws, licensing, and other matters about which you may not have thought.

Accept that it’s going to take a long time to open a brewery, if that’s your goal.  Most of the time is waiting on state and federal approval.  Don’t get frustrated, though.  We’re still thirsty, so keep on keeping on!

Overall Tips

MoMAttend homebrewer meetings.  There are several groups in Kansas City that meet up once a month.  They’re fun, informative, and you will make friends and connections that will help you in the long run.

Be confident in your beers!  Not everyone is going to love what you make, but as long as you’re confident and are willing to learn, you can only get better.

From buying your ingredients to drinking your beer, just have fun and if it’s not fun anymore, maybe a new hobby is what you need.

 

Homebrewing Clubs:

Homebrewing Stores:

Continue Reading