Sports – Kansas City Beer

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 about 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.

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.

Take the Crown!

“Let’s Go Royals!” seems to be the chant you hear whenever you’re in a large crowd anywhere in Kansas City and rightfully so. The Royals have swept the Angels to move on to the American League Championship Series against Baltimore. Here some ideas on what local beers go great with all aspects of the game.

Tailgating – Stick with something light with a low ABV like a session beer. Boulevard’s Pop-Up Session I.P.A has an ABV of 4.3% and has low bitterness with a big, fruity hop aroma. Another session beer, Cinder Block‘s Northtown Native was brewed and fermented as if it were a lager, but it’s actually an ale. It has a light and crisp upfront taste with a hops finish.

During the Game – Here’s where you can really get into it. Start the celebration a little early and open up a Saison-Brett from Boulevard’s Smokestack Series. The Brett part is named for the Brettanomyces which is a a wild yeast strain that gives a distinctive earthy quality to the beer, but we can say it’s named after George Brett to fit the theme. If you can’t get your hands on this beer, pick up a growler of Martin City Brewing‘s Bière de Garde. It’s a little sweet with just the right amount of spice to keep you going throughout the innings.

Extra Innings – Most of the postseason games have gone into extra innings so you need to be prepared with something that can hold you over until the Royals win. Try The Big Rip Brewing Company’s flagship beer, Hathor’s Sweet Brown. The smoothness of the beer will keep you calm until it’s time for some bubbly in celebration. Can’t get up to Northtown to get your growler filled? Try KC Bier Co‘s Dunkel. Yes, it’s a German beer, but it’s made right here in Kansas City. It’s a medium-bodied beer with a slightly sweet, malt flavor and smooth finish that has just enough noble hop bitterness to balance the malt. It goes great with all the BBQ and sausages you’ve been eating.

The Celebration – The obvious choice is Boulevard’s Championship Ale. While this was made in honor of Sporting KC’s 2013 MLS Cup victory, why not break it out when our baseball team is winning? Until Boulevard comes out with a World Series Championship beer, this will have to suffice. If you didn’t get a bottle of the Championship Ale, try one of Cinder Block’s Ciders; the refreshing, not to sweet taste is perfect complement to that victory feeling.