Author: Beer

October 5, 2014

Boulevard Oktoberfiesta Review

Maybe I got there too early (5:15pm), but Boulevard’s attempt to combine Oktoberfest and Día de los Muertos fell a little flat. The decorations were wonderful and the beer was great, per usual, but the atmosphere felt like any other day at the brewery. For an event lasting only 2 hours, I expected the fiesta to be going full steam when I arrived.

It seemed as though a tour had just let out, so they were busy. The food grill was just getting started, so I imagine the Chorizowurst and other food wasn’t ready until at least 6pm. I drank a Fall Flight of Collaboration No. 4; Tasting Room Oatmeal Stout; The Sixth Glass; and Dark Truth Stout, and bought two Smokestack beers to get my free Freaker, and left. I have been to Boulevard several times, but this time I felt a bit confused on what was going on; I expected the staff to be more warm and friendly and to get patrons involved in the party, but they stayed behind their counters and only spoke when spoken to. Next time, maybe have a greeter at the door or have someone walk around handing out some crafted flowers.

Overall, I would give the event a 6 out of 10. Maybe next time get more involved with the party guests.

October 2, 2014

Hey Homebrewers, Free Wort!

Did you miss out on 75th Street Brewery‘s wort giveaway this morning? (We didn’t; check future posts for a Brew Day Session.) Good news for you, Free State Brewery has wort to give away. There’s no contest with this wort, just the satisfaction of making your own beer.

Free State hates to see things go to waste, so they’re offering their unhopped, unboiled, leftover wort from when they brewed their Old Backus Barleywine. They only take the strongest of the wort from their mash to make the barleywine and what’s left still has a lot of sugar in it. That’s what you get! It’s the first time they’ve tried to collect this, so they don’t know what the strength is.

What you need to do to get some is bring a sanitized container and enter the brewery from the west end dock. Kansas charges 20¢ per gallon in taxes so they ask for $1 for each 5 gallons you pick up. There’s no limit on how much you can get right now, but if there’s a huge demand, they may limit it.

Go to Free State Brewery in Lawrence on Thursday, October 2nd, starting at 6pm to get some for yourself.

September 30, 2014

Goose Island Migration

It’s going to start getting cold soon, so Goose Island is migrating into our area. Starting tonight, Goose Island will be taking over some local bars to pour their favorite and rarest beers while answering questions from beer patrons.

Goose Island started like a lot of breweries. When founder John Hall took a trip to Europe he discovered beers that weren’t widely known in America. In 1988, he returned to America and started brewing in his hometown of Chicago. By 1995, the beer had become so popular that a larger brewery was necessary along with a bottling plant to keep up with demand. With beers ranging from Belgian Style Farmhouse Ales to Cherry Rye, it’s no wonder Goose Island has become as popular as it has.

Goose Island Migration will be at the following places in Kansas City.

Flying Saucer – Tuesday, September 30, 6pm-9pm
Bier Station – Wednesday, October 1st, 5pm-9pm
Gomer’s Midtown – Thursday, October 2nd, 4pm-6pm (with special guest, Steven Waltersdorf, Quality Manager of Goose Island)
The Foundry – Thursday, October 2nd, 8pm-11pm

Each stop will have a selection of Goose Island’s best beers including Lolita Raspberry Sour, The Muddy Imperial Stout, Bourbon County Backyard Rye, Bourbon County Stout, Sofia Farmhouse Ale, Matilda Belgian Strong Pale Ale, 2012 Bourbon County Cherry Rye, 2013 Bourbon County Barleywine, Halia 2013, and more. There will also be giveaways that include glassware and t-shirts.

Kansas City was one of only 32 cities across the nation to be chosen to be in the flight path this year.

September 29, 2014

75th Street Brewery Homebrew Competition

It’s nearly every homebrewer’s dream to own brewery or, at the very least, have hundreds of people enjoy their beer. Homebrewers will get that chance to be featured as a guest tap at 75th Street Brewery. On Wednesday at 10am, the online submission form will be open to everyone for their chance at one of fifty unfermented worts. Once you get your wort, go crazy with it, within reason. No lagers will be accepted, only ales, and no wild yeast can be used. This will 75th Street Brewery’s second time holding this competition and the worts were gone within two minutes last year, so if you want some, get in there quick. The winner’s creation will be brewed on 75th’s system and be on guest tap in 2015. Second place receive a $150 gift card and third place gets a $75 gift card. You will have a little over 10 weeks to brew your beer and have it submitted to 75th Street Brewery by December 14. The winner will be announced at a special Homebrew Competition Happy Hour on December 31st.

For more details: 75thstreet.com/eventsentertainment