Tag: Boulevard

October 7, 2014

Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad Released in Bottles

Are you ready for some BBQ? Bourbon Barrel Quad, that is. Boulevard released their 2014 Bourbon Barrel Quad in bottles in the Kansas City area today. Although many stores will be limiting customers to one or two bottles, this release may not last through the day, so get yours early.

Based loosely on Boulevard’s The Sixth Glass, Bourbon Barrel Quad is an abbey-style quadrupel that’s separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill, Templeton Rye, and Jack Daniels. Cherries are added to make up for beer lost during barrel aging. They added fresh beer in the past to cut the whiskey character, but this year Boulevard decided to only use barrel-aged beer. There’s more whiskey and oak character and the cherry flavor pops more when it’s completely barrel aged.

October 6, 2014

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.

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.

September 26, 2014

Oktoberfiesta at Boulevard

Boulevard Pumpkin Ale

A week from today, Boulevard will be hosting a fiesta! A celebration of beer, food, music, and arts will begin at 5pm on Friday, October 3rd, and will feature many fun activities. Complimentary samples of their latest test beer, a sour ale with pumpkin spices, will be the highlight of the event with other fun things such as making Día de los Muertos crafts with Mattie Rhodes Art Center, Chorizowursts to eat, free Freakers with the purchase of two year-round Smokestack 750ml bottles, and more. The event will be at Boulevard’s Tasting Room located at 2501 Southwest Boulevard.

Back in July, I went on a tour (not my first) of Boulevard and asked the guide if he knew when Boulevard would be making a pumpkin beer. He didn’t have an answer and up until yesterday I thought it may never happen. To my surprise, and happiness, they put it on tap a week ago in the Tasting Room. I went by today to try some. It has a strong pumpkin aroma, but it’s not overpowering and the spicy/sour combination is well-balanced. They brew their pumpkin ale with a wort made of Pale Malt, Munich Malt, and Amber Malt that is brewhouse soured with house lactobacillus culture. Following acidification, the wort is boiled and spiced with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Fermentation is carried out by their house Belgian yeast strain.

If you are unable to make it to Oktoberfiesta, make sure to stop by their Tasting Room to try some.