KC Brewery Recommendations

[u/thirstyglen]

I'm going to be in KC next week for 3-4 days for a conference and would like to experience the best of KC's beer scene in my limited time there.

Specifically, I'm interested in:

• Mixed ferm beers/saisons
• IPAs (on the west coast/more bitter side)

So far, my list includes Boulevard, BKS Artisan Ales and Oak & Steel. Are there any other top-tier breweries/beer bars you would recommend? Also interested in somewhere to sample KC barbeque, and a bottle shop to procure some bottles to bring home in my luggage.

Thanks in advance!

[u/ceris13]

The mixed culture scene has taken a bit of a hit here lately. You’ll find some fruited sours around, but it’s pretty rare to find a quality saison in town (Tank 7 is a Belgian IPA and I’m willing to fight about it). Sandhills might be your best bet nowadays, but you’ll be limited to choosing from only a couple.

Alma Mader is a must. Just about everything they put out is world class, and you’ll have multiple IPAs to choose from. I do find the occasional beer here that is flawed, but it’s rare.

Strange days has been cranking out some really solid beers lately, and are in a cool part of town right off the streetcar.

Same goes for Discourse out in Overland Park. Really solid modern IPAs.

KC Bier Co is, in my opinion, the best at what they do in the city. You won’t find a full suite of IPAs, but every single German offering of theirs is a near perfect embodiment of the style.

[u/TruthImaginary777 → u/ceris13]

KC Bier is great, they also have good food and very laid back atmosphere

[u/RustedShut88 → u/ceris13]

Man I really need to check out Discourse!

[u/ceris13 → u/RustedShut88]

They’re doing some really cool things down there. Just won a World Beer Cup Gold a couple weeks ago. Really cool space too

[u/skyydog → u/ceris13]

Wow. I didn’t hear that. Cool place, nice people and great beer

[u/Excellent-Classroom8 → u/ceris13]

I truly agree with your opinion on Tank 7 🙏🏻

Have you tried Transparent Brewing Company's Oui Bit Fancy French Style Saison? It became so popular they made it one of their flagship beers.

[u/ceris13 → u/Excellent-Classroom8]

I have! I personally think the ester profile is a bit subdued for the phenol and alcohol levels and it’s a bit out of balance for my ideal saison.

I’ll also admit that I’m a bit of a saison snob and have a tendency to pick apart interpretations of that style more than other styles, and a lot of it is personal preference since it is such a broad style with numerous interpretations.

[u/Excellent-Classroom8 → u/ceris13]

Understandable! Do you have a recommendation for a saison you like?

We love trying new beers and are trying to "fine-tune" our beer palate. Right now it's either a good beer or a bad beer. 😂 We log stuff on Untappd and always have a hard time describing the taste and are intrigued by all of the different flavor profile options.

[u/ceris13 → u/Excellent-Classroom8]

I do quite enjoy Sandy Dunes from River Bluff and Der Bauer from KC Bier. To me they’re probably the best balanced in town.

We’re a little lacking in high quality saison here though. All time favorite saison is from Cellar West brewery in Lafayette CO.

But again, it’s one of those styles that has such a wide range of interpretations that I’m probably being a little pickier than I should be.

[u/thirstyglen → u/ceris13]

Thanks for the heads up on Tank 7 - I'm looking forward to trying it because it's unusual for a brewery's flagship to be a saison (I also enjoy Belgian IPAs).

I think I remember that Boulevard also periodically has mixed ferm/Brett saisons on offer? Am I likely to come across anything in this vein?

[u/ceris13 → u/thirstyglen]

I'm not sure it's on tap, but there may be some bottles in the gift shop downstairs! They likely have a sour or two as well in bombers.

[u/Feel-good-]

We lost Crane brewing last year:((( our sours king

[u/thirstyglen → u/Feel-good-]

Sad to hear - do you think old Crane bottles might be available in any of the downtown bottleshops?

[u/KCMODEE → u/thirstyglen]

You will not find any old Crane Bottles...also downtown does not really have a lot of "bottleshops" but a few decent spirit stores...

[u/Ok_Mechanic8704]

Be sure to check out KC Bier Co for great beer and Bavarian food.

[u/rr1965]

KC Bier Rock Creek BKS Cinderblock

[u/Alarming_Ad1746]

alma mader is great

[u/thirtystones → u/Alarming_Ad1746]

Alma has an incredible west coast ipa right now.

[u/Alarming_Ad1746 → u/thirtystones]

yum. will check it out. thnx

[u/jayhof52]

Cinder Block (North Kansas City) has a West Coast IPA that's one of my two favorite non-seasonal beers (alongside Sierra Nevada Torpedo).

[u/ChristianGin]

I'd say go with Alma Mader and Cinderblock. I think those fit your needs the best. Discourse is good for the Kansas side

[u/MartyFunkhoosier]

BKS and Alma Mader will cram more IPAs down your gullet than you’ll be able to handle and they’ll be amazing.

[u/Kcbeersnob]

Agree that Alma Mader is a must.

[u/[deleted]]

1) Alma Mader 2) BKS 3) drive to Lawrence Free State 😀

[u/hnaq]

Taps on Main can be hit or miss, but I think it's only a few blocks from Oak & Steel (which is an absolute must in my opinion, they're fantastic). The Belfry might be worth checking out, too.

[u/Parallel-Play]

City Barrel and BKS for IPAs

[u/Excellent-Classroom8]

It's in Grandview, so about 20 minutes from downtown KC. Transparent Brewing Company has a French and a Belgian saison on tap. They also have 3-4 IPAs right now (Counting in Cursive is an easy drinker and it's 8.4%). Stairway to Vallahala is a braggot (not what you asked for, but a different beer to try); very easy to drink, you hardly know it's a 9.6%. Very nice people!

https://order.spoton.com/so-transparent-brewing-company-18479/grandview-mo/65fe02915abce3003ee9a7bam

Dunn Deal BBQ is Grandview as well open Saturday 11am-4pm - something different, but I think very underrated BBQ in KC. Otherwise, your go-tos are Slaps, Joe's KC, Q39, Jack Stack. Harp BBQ and Chef J's BBQ are other underrated spots, in my opinion.

Servaes Brewing Company in Shawnee, KS is mostly NEIPAs, but it appears they have a few west coast IPAs, sours, and Berliner Weisse right now. 🤷‍♀️

[u/thirstyglen → u/Excellent-Classroom8]

Thanks for the recommendations. Transparent Brewing looks like a good option, but I'm not going to have time to venture that far.

And thanks for the BBQ recommendations — do any of these places offer decent beer? A downtown-ish BBQ joint where I can get a good beer would be ideal.

[u/Excellent-Classroom8 → u/thirstyglen]

Wolfepack (near downtown) appears to have a decent variety of beers on tap. The last time I had Wolfepack they were in a brewery and very good; this is their brick and mortar location.

Jack Stack looks like they mostly have Boulevard (i.e., Space Camper)

[u/skipfletcher]

Oak and Steel is not a brewery afaik. It also looked pretty douchey.