Recurring – Kansas City Beer

Girls’ Pint Out at Big Rip

The local chapter of Girls’ Pint Out had their October event at Big Rip Brewing Company this past Thursday. Despite the name, people from all genders were welcome and there was a pretty good turnout.

It started with some mingling, light snacks, and beer of course. For first timers, it may have been a bit awkward as there was no clear area set up for the group and it didn’t help that the Northland Young Professionals were having a meeting at the same time. Once found, the GPO group was welcoming and excited to talk. Big Rip’s beer patio was as perfect as the weather – enough picnic tables to handle both events and some regulars.

At 7pm, we took a tour of Big Rip where we learned about their fermenting process and their upcoming plans. They’ve recently received approval from the State to start bottling their beers to sell at the brewery. They will also start selling very limited kegs of their beers. Only one or two kegs will be available at a time and will be posted on their website. Big Rip also plans to have barrel-aged beers on tap in about 6 months. Using barrels from Sonoma, California, Big Rip will create an Imperial Coffee Porter with Pinot Noir and use their flagship Sweet Brown recipe in the second barrel with cherries added.

After the tour, the Girls’ Pint Out group got another beer and mingled for a little while longer. Screenland Armour showed up to start an 8pm showing of Dawn of the Dead, so some of the group stayed for that. Next month, Girls’ Pint Out is planning an event to celebrate their one year anniversary. We’ll keep you updated with more details.

Monthly Swap Meet at Grain to Glass Announced

Looking to get into the homebrewing scene, wanting to update your current system, or trying to sell some old equipment? Grain to Glass in North Kansas City has announced that they’ll be having a monthly Swap Meet starting this Sunday in their parking lot. Anyone wanting to buy, sell, or trade their brewing equipment can meet up at Grain to Glass and interact with other homebrewers.

With homebrewer events like the Nanobrew Fest and High Plains Brewhoff and tents at bigger beer events, homebrewing is becoming increasingly more popular. Novices can get advice from experts at the swap meet on what kind of equipment they should be using and experts can try to sell or trade their stuff. It should have a City Market Farmers’ Market feel to it – laid back and relaxed, but still educational.

Grain to Glass is located at 1611 Swift Avenue in North Kansas City and is open from 10am until 4pm on Sundays. The Swap Meet will be every 3rd Sunday of the month starting this Sunday. They will be serving beer inside their store and you can buy all the ingredients you need to start brewing.