Author: Beer

Beercation to Des Moines

How’s your traveling going this summer? Is it time for one more vacation before the summer ends? Plan a beercation to Des Moines, Iowa! The capital and most populous city in Iowa is home to several breweries with some fun and unique beer creations.

I visited Des Moines, with a fellow beer friend and we visited a total of seven breweries (Exile Brewing, Peace Tree Brewing, Madhouse Beer, Confluence Brewing Company, Barn Town Brewing, and two breweries within Madison County WineryBig Rack Brew Haus and Twisted Vine Brewery), El Bait Shop (largest selection of American microbeers in the world!), and Fong’s Pizza – all in a day and a half. It was ambitious, but with the help of Uber and staying at a hotel just a block from El Bait Shop, we did it.

We arrived in Des Moines right at 11am on a Wednesday, and our first stop was Exile Brewing. Austin Hoffman, Sales and Marketing Director, met us in their Beer City taproom and gave us an informative tour. We got to try some beers right off the bottling line as well as some brand new releases. One of their most popular beers, Ruthie Lager, is a tribute to Ruthie Bisignano, who was a famous bartender who knew how to entertain. The brewery will be having an Intergalactic Luau Music Fest on August 24, with live music and beer.

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Our next stop was Peace Tree Brewing at their downtown Des Moines location. They don’t open until 3pm on Wednesdays, but representative Taylor Evans was kind enough to let us in early to try some beers and talk about the history and the future of Peace Tree Brewing. The brewery is named for a historic grand sycamore that is located near the town of Red Rock, Iowa, where different cultures could meet to discuss, trade, and come to agreements. This location had a peaceful vibe with representations of the namesake throughout the brewery. The beers were of great variety from lagers to coffee stouts to kettle sours.

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Next up was Madhouse Brewing Company. I’m always a fan of unique, creative beers so I was very happy here. There’s a medium size taproom with a larger space to play and hang out in the back. The beers on tap were mostly their brewery beers but included some guest taps including our own Boulevard Brewing. Their Paradise Lost, a margarita-style sour with lime and Himalayan salt, is perfect for taco night.

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Our final brewery of the day was Confluence Brewing located just south of Gray’s Lake and along a bike trail that was kept in mind when the brewery was built. The outdoor area looks on the lake and has several bike racks for all of the bicyclists that frequent the trail. Beers and bikes go so well together! Their beers are unsurprisingly refreshing given their location and emphasis on their patio.

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The whole point of the trip was Fong’s Pizza, which is where we went for dinner. My friend and I were having a discussion over some Kansas City beers one day and I brought up the Crab Rangoon pizza from Old Shawnee Pizza here locally. My friend mentioned the famous Fong’s Pizza where their Crab Rangoon pizza is so popular, it was featured on Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate. Other pizzas included Orange Chicken, Pork Belly Pie, and Loaded Potato. Did we come back to town with leftovers from five pizzas? Yes, we did.

For a late night drinking session, we walked the block from the hotel to El Bait Shop. With hundreds of beers on tap, it’s the world’s largest selection of American craft beers. We drank a few beers, bought some to-go bottles and cans and went back to the hotel to rest after the long, beer-drinking day.

The next day, Thursday, was a good time to get to Barn Town Brewing on the way out of town in West Des Moines. The brewery is located on the corner of a shopping center, but the inside is made to look like the inside of a barn. To continue my Crab Rangoon-themed vacation, I ordered the Crab Rangoon chicken sandwich which was great because nearly everything Crab Rangoon is great. I’m a fan of their dessert sours including a chocolate covered strawberry and banana cream pie. I was able to buy a couple of crowlers to bring home, but they didn’t last long.

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After driving around for a bit, visiting the Bridges of Madison County, we came across Madison County Winery. The peaceful setting of the winery is in St. Charles, Iowa, with not much else around it. Two breweries are represented in the winery, Twisted Vine Brewery and Big Rack Brew Haus. I love a good wine, but with the trip being a beercation, I chose to get a flight of beers.

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We weren’t able to visit all of the Des Moines breweries, but that just leaves it open for another trip. Next time I visit, I intend to try some beers from 515 Brewing, Fox Brewing, Reclaimed Rails, Brightside Aleworks, and Firetrucker Brewery.

It’s probably best to visit on a weekend when everything is open so you can try as much as you can. Thanks to all of the breweries who let us come in early, or while they were closed, or were just hospitable! I’ll be visiting Des Moines again soon!

 

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Halloween Events for 2018

Let the pumpkin beer flow, it’s Halloween season!

Here’s a list of pumpkin carving/decorating, costume parties, Halloween parties, and more for beer-related Halloween events.

Tuesday, October 16

  • 11am – Yearly Pumpkin Party at Barley’s Kitchen + Tap, 11924 West 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66213 – Tapping all of their pumpkin beers at once. Beers from Schlafly, Avery Brewing Company, Dogfish Head, and Epic Brewing Company.

Thursday, October 18

Friday, October 19

  • 8pm – Spooky Ride! at Velo Garage and Tap House, 1403 Swift, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Costume party and beer specials at Velo Garage and Tap House and then bike on up to Screenland Armour for a showing of Halloween. Best costume wins a free beer and a free movie pass. Tickets for the movie are $10.

Saturday, October 20

  • 11am – Oktoberfest Barrel Roll Parade at Dubious Claims Brewery, 451 S Thompson Ave,  Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 – If you’re not quite ready for Halloween and still in Oktoberfest mode, partake in the tradition of a Barrel Roll Parade. Starting at Dubious Claims Brewery and ending at Atlas Saloon & Brewery, the event is open to anyone 21 and over.
  • 2pm – Boo ‘n Brew at Town Center Plaza, 5000 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209 – Eat, drink, and be scary! Houlihan’s will have a VIP Beer Garden and there will be yard games, a DJ, an adult costume contest, and a carved pumpkin contest. The whole area will be open to all ages.
  • 7pm – Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132 – Animals are a popular Halloween costume, so get some inspiration by drinking with the animals at the zoo. This beer and wine festival has been around a few years and always sell out. $40 for FOTZ members, $50 for non-FOTZ members.

Sunday, October 21

  • 3pm – Howl-o-Ween at KC Bier Co, 310 W 79th, Kansas City, MO 64114 – Dog costume contest with prizes, photographer, fun activities, and fundraising for Wayside Waifs. $5 donation at the door gets you a raffle ticket and a doggie bag with goodies.

Tuesday, October 23

Wednesday, October 24

  • 6pm – Annual Pumpkin Carving Party at Green Room Burgers & Beer, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite D, Kansas City, MO 64111 – Sponsored by Schlafly, they’ll have fun prizes, giveaways, pumpkin beer, and pumpkin carving. The event is free but let them know you’ll be there so they can get the right amount of pumpkins.

Thursday, October 25

  • 4pm – 3rd Annual Halloween Party at Crane Brewing, 6515 Railroad St, Raytown, MO 64133 – A creepy, crawly Crane Halloween party with more details to come.
  • 5pm – Dog-gone Halloween Partay! at Cinder Block Brewery, 110 E 18th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Dog costume contest, all-you-can-eat chilli and cinnamon rolls ($10), Halloween movies, and Beer Paws will be onsite.
  • 5pm – Literacy KC Spelling Bee & Kids Costume Preview with COOP Ale Works at Bier Station, 120 E Gregory, Kansas City, MO 64114 – Test your spelling skills and drink some COOP Ale Works beer to benefit Literacy KC. Kids will get a spelling bee round, too. Kids will also be able to test out their costumes and trick-or-treat skills for some candy.
  • 6:30pm – Halloween Beer Dinner at Smokin’ Guns BBQ & Catering, 1218 Swift, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Halloween beers paired with frightening dishes, wear your best costume for a chance to win prizes. $30 single ticket, $50 for couples.

Friday, October 26

  • 6pm – Haunted Halloween Beer & Boos Bash at Martin City Event Space, 13440 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145 – All you can eat pizza and wings, new beer releases, costume prizes, giveaways, and more. Beer releases include Martin City Brewing Company Shunned House IPA, Alchemy Coffee Stout, Righteous Candor IPA, and Fallback Brown.
  • 7pm – Halloween Bash at Callsign Brewing, 1447 Gentry St, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Special pint and growler pricing, special snacks, costume contest, and live music. They’ll also be collecting new or gently used blanket and cold weather items for donation.

Saturday, October 27

  • 10am – Halloweenie at East Forty Brewing, 1201 W Main St, Blue Springs, MO 64015 – The inaugural event begins with Main Street Trick or Treating at 10am and East Forty will open at 11am serving burgers, dogs, house-made chili, and all their standard offerings. There will be games for the whole family, costume contest, a downtown scavenger hunt, and weiner dog races.
  • 11am – Night of the Thirsty Dead at Rock & Run Brewery and Pub, 110 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO 64068 – Time to get spooky. Enjoy new brews, costumes, and a pumpkin contest.
  • 11am – Brews ‘n Boos at Flying Horse Taproom, 600 E 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64110 – They will be releasing their collaboration beers with Free State Brewing, Barrel Aged Baltic Porter aged in Templeton barrels and Ironman Imperial Stout aged in Templeton barrels. They will also have a pumpkin carving/decoration contest so come in costume to help set the mood!
  • 11am – Pumpkin Decorating for Kids at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Good Natured Family Farms will be at Chicken N Pickle with a bunch of pumpkins to decorate.
  • 11am – Prairie Moon Pumpkin Run at Prairie Moon Waldorf School, 1853 E 1600 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66044 – A 5K run for $15 that includes a t-shirt and pumpkin and ends at Lawrence Beer Company. Celebrate with food, drinks, and activities.
  • 11am – Halloween Bike Rodeo at Bier Station, 120 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64114 – Dress yourself and your bike up in your best costume and enjoy activities like Red Solo Cup Handoff, Track Stand Contest, and other feats of bike skill. Great prizes including a chance to win a bike. Proceeds benefit BikeWalkKC.
  • 5pm – Crossroads Pub Crawl in the Crossroads District – Locations include Border Brewing, Double Shift Brewing, Lifted Spirits, International Tap House, Mission Taco Joint, and Grinders. Spooky drink specials, candy, and an after party at Grinders with a costume contest.
  • 7pm – 6th Annual Ripper Halloween Party at Big Rip Brewing, 216 E 9th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – All drinks included for only $35. Enjoy a DJ, drinking games, prizes, and a costume contest at this horror-themed brewery.
  • 7:30pm – Halloween Party at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Hang out on their rooftop where they’ll have a DJ, Halloween special cocktail, and a costume party.
  • 8pm – Naughty and Nice Costume Party at Smoke Brewing Company, 209 SE Main, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 – Food and drink specials with live music and $100 cash prize for best costume.

Sunday, October 28

  • 12pm – Fall Family Festival at KC Bier Co, 310 W 79th, Kansas City, MO 64114 – Activities including pumpkin painting, yard games, candy prizes, and a costume contest. Proceeds benefit Noah’s Bandage Project and the BMA Foundation.

Wednesday, October 31

  • 4pm – People are Strange at Strange Days Brewing, 316 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64106 – Wear your best costume for beer specials and a costume contest.
  • 7pm – Halloween Scary Movie-thon at KC Bier Co, 310 W 79th, Kansas City, MO 64114 – Two classic scary films, $3 Rot Lagers, and Bierhalle food specials.
  • 8pm – All Hallows Eve with Freight Train Rabbit Killer at Stockyards Brewing, 1600 Genessee St, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64102 – Live music with Freight Train Rabbit Killer.

Thursday, November 01

  • 4pm – Day of the Dead at Grain to Glass, 1611 Swift Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – Wear your best Grateful Dead apparel and enjoy some tribute music. They’ll have beer specials and prize for best shirt.

 

Let me know if I missed any beer-related events at beer@kansascitybeer.com Have a wonderful Halloween!

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East Forty Brewing Opens in Blue Springs

If you go to any of the many beer festivals in the Kansas City area, you’ve probably already tried some of East Forty Brewing‘s beers. If you haven’t had the pleasure, you can now visit their brewery and taproom in Blue Springs, Missouri. Drink their beers, eat some soft pretzels or pizza, play some Skee Ball, and see a live show at the new brewery.

David Mann has been homebrewing since 2011, and serving his homebrews at festivals since 2013. I first met him and his wife, Amber, at the 2013 KC Nanobrew Fest that took place at Big Rip Brewing Company. We quickly became friends and I’ve been able to take a few pictures of their journey along the way.

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The brewery is located at 12th & Main in downtown Blue Springs and offers a mix of local, hometown bar and destination brewery. It’s 20-30 minutes outside of Kansas City, but there are several breweries that will be opening this year in Independence and Lee’s Summit, so it’ll make for a fun day of exploring the outer Kansas City cities (safely, of course, get a DD if you need to). Don’t use that as an excuse to delay visiting them, though, their beers are creative but not intimidating. Their Sunrise Saison is brewed with ginger and lime and is a great patio beer, crisp and refreshing.

They’ll be hosting the KC Brew & Chew as a Grand Opening-style party, on Saturday, June 16, where you’ll be able to sample food trucks, local brewers, and listen to live music. The event is 12pm-10pm, with beer tasting at 2pm-7pm.

Follow them on social media to keep updated and check out the pictures of their place below.

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East Forty Brewing, 1201 W Main St, Blue Springs, MO 64015, www.eastfortybrewing.com

If you have an event, program, new beer place, or anything beer related and want some free publicity, email me at beer@kansascitybeer.com. Depending on what it is, I’ll take pictures you can use, write an article, create a featured photo gallery, and/or promote on our social media.

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Passport Program: Summer Edition

Who cares what the calendar says, when it’s in the 80s and 90s and almost Memorial Day weekend, it’s summer and the popular Passport Program is back with even more breweries, distilleries, bars, and wineries.

The holder of the passport is entitled to 2-for-1 drinks or, if enjoying alone, 1/2 off a single drink. The book explores Kansas City including newer places like Strange Days Brewing Company in River Market and The Brewkery in North Kansas City and more established places like Amigoni Urban Winery in the West Bottoms and John’s Big Deck downtown. It even includes a field trip to Crane Brewing. This Summer Edition includes a total of 40 establishments.

It’s a win-win for everyone! You get free drinks and the establishments get new customers. It’s great for date night, to try a new place and libation, Sunday Funday, to explore KC, and enjoy patio weather.

They hosted a Launch Party at Colony KC on Wednesday, for holders to pick up their Passports and get a free drink. Colony Handcrafted Ales (Colony KC’s brewery) has the most creative beers in Kansas City, so if you haven’t been and like to try unique beers, be sure to make a stop. It’s in North Kansas City along with four other breweries, a distillery, a kombucha brewery, and a few tap bars.

Since the party was held on a Wednesday, I got to enjoy Colony KC’s Laugh Lab at their event space, The Rino. It’s a weekly open mic, stand up comedy show featuring local comedians both experienced and those who want to try out their dream. Each performer is allotted 5 minutes and there’s no down time between performers. If every show is like the one I went to, it’s not for children, lots of cussing and inappropriate (but hilarious) jokes. It’s a free show and free to perform. Sign ups start at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm.

The Kansas City Passport Summer Edition is valid from May 25 through September 3. Passports are on sale now for $20 at www.ThePassportProgram.com. The Passport Program has also set up its own “Summer Passport Scholarship” awarding the first 1,000 teachers that apply a free Summer Edition Passport. Apply for that here.

See the pictures below from their Launch Party at Colony KC and follow them on social media for updates.

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If you have an event, program, new beer place, or anything beer related and want some free publicity, email me at beer@kansascitybeer.com. Depending on what it is, I’ll take pictures you can use, write an article, create a featured photo gallery, and/or promote on our social media.

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