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Tap List | Boulevard Brewing Collaborates with Tech N9ne Bou Lou is a brew inspired by local artist's song "Caribou Lou"

Tech N9ne’s song “Caribou Lou” inspired Bou Lou, Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer with added flavors of pineapple and coconut. Tech N9ne’s song “Caribou Lou” inspired Bou Lou, Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer with added flavors of pineapple and coconut. (Contributed | Boulevard Brewing Company)
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3 minute read

Kansas City-based artist Tech N9ne’s influence has expanded beyond hip-hop to inspire Boulevard Brewing’s upcoming limited-release, Bou Lou. Set to debut at Boulevardia June 15 and 16, Boulevard’s Bou Lou is a tropical variation of the brewery’s Unfiltered Wheat with additional flavors of pineapple and coconut. The beer is inspired by Caribou Lou, a potent drink prepared with pineapple juice, rum and coconut rum.

Along with the release of Bou Lou, Tech N9ne will top the bill with a performance at Boulevardia on Friday, June 15. Starting Monday, June 18, Bou Lou will be available as a limited-release in four-packs of 16-ounce cans in select markets including Kansas City; Lawrence, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and Denver.

Strange Music CEO and president Travis Guin, who co-founded the independent music label with Tech N9ne, explained the cocktail’s origins and pop culture significance.

“Tech came up with this drink in the ’90s,” Guin said. “He concocted Caribou Lou while hanging with friends.”

Tech N9ne popularized the drink in the song “Caribou Lou” from the artist’s 2006 release “Everready (The Religion).” Sales of Tech N9ne’s song earned a platinum record in June 2017 after selling more than a million units.

Pat Mullin, Boulevard’s digital marketing manager, initially contacted Strange Music about a Caribou Lou-inspired beer.

“Boulevard toured our facility and saw how we conduct business,” Guin said. “This is only the third partnership we’ve done in 19 years.”

Once Boulevard created a test batch, Strange Days’ co-founders and crew visited the brewery for a tasting.

“They nailed it the first time,” Guin said. “There wasn’t a single change. The coolest part of this was that the brewery took the collaboration seriously. They took time and energy to get the taste right.”

Kansas City Bier Company Wins Silver at World Beer Cup

The Brewers Association announced the results of the prestigious 2018 World Beer Cup awards on May 3. Kansas City Bier Co. (310 W. 79th St.) won a silver medal for its Winterbock lager, a winter seasonal (8.25-percent ABV) in the German-style Doppelbock category.

The awards were presented at the conclusion of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. A panel of 295 judges from 33 countries evaluated more than 8,200 beers in 101 style categories from 2,515 participating breweries.

“Our mission has always been to brew authentic-tasting German-style beer and deliver it with the same character, flavor and freshness as beer brewed and consumed in Germany,” KC Bier Co. managing owner Steve Holle said. “We went to great lengths to brew Winterbock in the traditional way, double decoction, natural carbonation and eight weeks of cold lagering. We’re honored that the judges recognized the flavor contributions of these time-honored brewing methods that helped Winterbock stand out among the 79 entries in this category.”

Two other regional breweries also won awards. In Kansas, Wichita Brewing Co. scored a silver medal for Shaven Yak in the English-Style Brown Ale category. Missouri’s Springfield Brewing Co. took home silver for Mayhem Maerzen, a seasonal Oktoberfest beer, in the German-style Maerzen category.

Border Brewing has new tap handles

Border Brewing has new tap handles and a sour variant of its Strawberry Blonde to check out in the East Crossroads. (Contributed | Border Brewing)

Tap Notes

As of Saturday, May 5, Brew Lab (7925 Marty St.,Overland Park, Kansas) met its goal of having 12 beers on tap, a first since opening last summer, founder Kevin Combs said.

The current tap list includes Tinta Davila Mexican Stout, Transmutation Golden Summer Stout (new), Sternewirth Principle Maibock (new), Spring Root Gruit Ale (new), Enigma Machine ESB, Cerasus Cherry Blonde, Encore Coffee Collaboration (Cream Ale with Coffee), Eclipse Totality Dark Wheat, Offaly Clever Dry Stout, Belgique Scientifique Belgian Dubbel, Lupulin Refraction NE IPA (new), and Current Flow Kettle Sour Dry Hopped with Citra.

Border Brewing Company (406 E. 18 St.) has released a sour variant of its best-selling Strawberry Blonde. The taproom also has brand new wooden tap handles bearing the names of its beers.

Rock and Run Brewery and Pub (110 E. Kansas St., Liberty, Missouri) brought back Witish Invasion, a witbier with notes of bitter orange, coriander and Hoppy Sake, a light, sessionable beer fermented entirely on sake yeast for a smooth, fruity finish.

Wakarusa Brewery (710 Main St., Eudora, Kansas) has a cocoa vanilla variant of its Oatmeal Stout on tap.

East Forty Brewing (1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Missouri) received its brewhouse equipment and is gearing up to begin brewing soon. More details to come. Co-founder David Mann said they look to open around the second or third week of June.

Double Shift Brewing Company (412 E. 18th St.) has Bonk! IPA (6.3-percent ABV) on tap. A collaboration beer with Velo Garage and Tap House, the beer was designed for drinking after a robust bike ride. Citrusy and juicy, the IPA was made with Citra, Azacca and Mosaic hops, plus added tangerine peel for extra bite.

Strange Days Brewing (316 Oak St.) will release a Mexican IPA, created with jalapeños and lime peel, on Thursday, May 10, at the taproom.

Callsign Brewing (1447 Gentry St., North Kansas City, Missouri) pushed its grand opening date to June 7.

On Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, at the fifth annual Boulevardia festival, Boulevard Brewing will release Boulevardia Sour Grisette on tap. The collaboration beer was made with 2nd Shift Brewing, Central Standard Brewing and Mikkeller Baghaven.

“We brewed the base beer last June with select ingredients from our collaborating partners when they were in town for the 2017 Taps & Tastes,” Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels said. “After nearly a year aging in oak with native cultures selected by our lead brewer Ryan McNeive, Boulevardia Sour Grisette pours a honey-golden color and features flavors and aromas of lemon peel, honeydew melon and bright lactic acidity. Accented by notes of vanilla and oak contributed by aging, this rustic, sessionable sour beer is light and airy with a crisp, quenching finish.”

Martin City Brewing Company issues a limited release of Poitier

Martin City Brewing Company issues a limited release of Poitier Brandy Barrel-aged Tripel on Monday, May 14. (Contributed | Martin City Brewing Company)

This Week

Tuesday, May 8

Geeks battle for supreme trivia prowess and drink craft beer at Geeks Who Drink Trivia, a weekly competition at 7 p.m. at Cinder Block Brewery (110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri).

Boulevard Brewing and Mission Taco Joint (409 E. 18th St.) co-host a Royals watch party with specials on ¡Vamos! beers and tacos. Boulevard swag, Royals tickets and more will be available as party favors.

Grinders Stonewall (10240 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas) hosts a Dogfish Head Brewing Happy Hour with 90 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA, and Dragons & Yum Yums on tap. 60 Minute IPA, SeaQuench and Namaste will be available in cans.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (11652 Ash St., Leawood, Kansas) taps its Heroes Ale at a benefit for Kansas City Area first responders’ families in need. One dollar of every 21-ounce Gordon Biersch beer sold will be donated to support first responders. Enjoy a complimentary appetizer buffet, bring the kids to see a fire truck and police motorcycle, participate in a silent auction, and listen to live music from Aaron Lucero.

Wednesday, May 9

International Tap House (403 E. 18th St.) hosts free trivia at 7 p.m. and a drink special featuring Crane Brewing and KC Cider Company. This special “shock tart” concoction mixes a Crane sour beer, choice of KC Cider Co. cider and a splash of raspberry lambic.

Bier Station (120 E. Gregory Blvd.), Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and Kansas City Bier Company invite guests to attend a Mini Maifest and celebrate spring with liters of German-style beer and live polka music from 5 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 10

Cinder Block Brewery hosts a Kitten Shower benefiting KC Pet Project from 6 to 8 p.m. Four-legged feline babies need care when they arrive at the shelter, which is fully responsible for supplies and medical care. At this event, guests purchase items from a wish list, bring it to the shower and may receive kitten cuddles in exchange. Cinder Block Brewery will donate one dollar from every beer sold to the nonprofit. KC Pet Project will answer questions about the organization, the Bottle Baby Squad and fostering.

Swagger into International Tap House for an East Coast versus West Coast battle of brews from Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head. Jack some swag and be “Cool Like Data” as ’90s hip-hop plays all night.

The Taproom at Crane Brewing (6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri) taps Coconut Milkshake, a New England IPA with coconut, vanilla and lactose.

Friday, May 11

Boulevard Brewing Company, Cinder Block Brewery, Crane Brewing Company, Double Shift Brewing and Kansas City Bier Company will pour samples at Sea Life’s first-ever Fins & Flights. Gaze at sharks, rays, seahorses and more than 300 marine creatures, nosh at a nacho bar, sample beer, and touch a crab, sea star and other creatures at the Rockpool. Tickets are for guests ages 21 years and up.

Double Shift Brewing released a new batch of Power Moves Hazy IPA (6.7-percent ABV). The IPA is brewed with 75-percent flaked oats and wheat, alongside Citra, Idaho 7 and Vic Secret hops.

Saturday, May 12

Brew-B-Que KC (633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, Kansas) combines two of the area’s finer things in life: barbeque and beer. From noon to 4 p.m. at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds, local barbecue food trucks compete for the bragging rights of having the best barbecue in Kansas City. Guests eat, sample more than 100 craft beers from local and regional craft breweries, listen to live music, and participate in competitions. Tickets are $55 for VIP, $35 for general admission, $5 for designated drivers.

Kelly’s Westport Inn (500 Westport Road) has six brewskis from Stockyards Brewing on tap for its Second Saturday Brew d’Etat starting at 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 13

Rock and Run Brewery and Pub (110 E. Kansas St., Liberty, Missouri) offers a brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in honor of mothers on Mother’s Day. The menu includes prime rib, country-fried chicken, pancakes and omelets, along with the regular full menu at 9 a.m. RSVP at 816-415-2337. Flowers will be available to the first 50 mothers.

Monday, May 14

American Craft Beer Week runs May 14 through May 20. Barley’s Kitchen + Tap (16649 Midland Dr., Shawnee, Kansas) kicks off the week with tappings of Prairie Artisan Ales’ Bomb!, an imperial stout aged on coffee, chocolate, vanilla beans and ancho chili peppers.

Martin City Brewing Company (500 E. 135th St.) offers a limited release of Poitier, a Brandy Barrel-aged Tripel, in four-pack cans and draught. “We started with a beer inspired by the Belgian Tripel and then aged it in fresh brandy barrels,” head brewer Nick Vaughn said. “A striking amber color, the Tripel has an aroma full of malty sweetness, clove, banana and grape. The flavor matches the aroma, but adds a light spiciness, subtle touch of alcohol and a smooth caramel.”

– Pete Dulin writes about food trends for Flatland and is the author of The KC Ale Trail. Follow @FlatlandKC and #TapList on Twitter for more food news and trends.

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