Tap List | Collaborations Create Community Alma Mader, Crane and Casual Animal Embrace Collaborations

If you’re unfamiliar with the inner workings of the beer industry, it might make you happy to know that it’s very familial. Many brewers will hang out over some pints to talk shop. Sales reps will regale each other with the (likely many) crazy things they see in the market and usually attend each other’s bar events.

This past week was a big one for the local beer scene in terms of these sorts of interactions.

To kick things off, Alma Mader announced on their Facebook page that they just completed a collaboration beer with Central Standard Brewing. If you don’t know CSB, they’re one of the hottest and most talked about breweries out of Wichita.

While the post didn’t dive into a ton of detail, here’s what we know. Alma Mader referred to the folks at CSB as “coconut masters” and said because of that they opted to brew a Coconut Double IPA. As if the flavors of coconut weren’t enough, they used lots of tropical hops to make sure you truly feel like you’re in paradise while consuming this beer.

Details on when the beer will be released have not yet been announced, but they will be in the upcoming weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

While you’re waiting on Alma Mader to release this beer, you may want to swing over to Crane Brewing Co. to help tide you over. In yet another local collaboration, they just released the beer they brewed with downtown Kansas City’s Casual Animal Brewing.

Their Lotus Dragon IPA (6.8% ABV) was just released. This exotic sounding beer name is derived from the two hop varieties they used in this IPA, Lotus and Styrian Dragon hops. These hops help give the beer both a tropical and floral flavor and aroma. You can currently find it on draft at both the Crane and Casual Animal taprooms.

As if those two collaborations weren’t enough, there was one more big one, which also took place at Crane. They paired up with members from the local Pink Boots Society chapter.

Haven’t heard of the Pink Boots Society? According to their website, their mission is, “to assist, inspire and encourage women fermented/alcoholic beverage industry professionals to advance their careers through education.”

This brew day featured women from all walks of the beer industry — brewers, beer retail managers, local influencers/bloggers and more. While details about the beer have not yet been released, you can expect to hear all about it in the coming weeks.

Beer Releases

Red Crow Brewing —1062 W. Santa Fe St., Olathe, Kansas — has released a light and refreshing beer to beat the summer heat. Check out the newest beer from the Sybil series, Kolsch (5.2%, 25 IBUs). Since this is a rotating beer, get it before it’s gone.

Transport Brewery — 11113 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — hopes you’re not having any car trouble because you’re going to want to try Czech Engine Light. This Czech pilsner features Saaz hops, pilsner malts and rings in at 5.4% ABV.

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri  —  remembers those hot summer days as a kid where you cooled down with a glass of ice cold lemonade. Here’s your opportunity to relive that experience as an adult. Enter Cinder Block’s latest release: Salted Lemonade. This kettle sour ale was brewed with pink Himalayan sea salt and lemon peel and clocks in at 4.3% ABV. It’s sure to quench your thirst on these hot summer days.

City Barrel —1740 Holmes St., Kansas City, Missouri — has just put out two brand new beers available in both cans and draft. Ahoy! Tiki Tart Ale (8.2% ABV) is brewed with tons of juicy guava and Himalyan sea salt. Close your eyes, take a sip, and you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. Need something on the lighter side? Grab some Beer League, a 6.7% premium lager. The Saphir and Amarillo hops will have you tasting flavors of white grape and citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit.

Beer Events

Thursday, July 8

Lost Evenings Brewing — 8625 Hauser Court, Lenexa, Kansas — is teaming up with Fiber Beyond Function to ensure you’ve got the coolest shirt this summer. At this event you’ll tie-dye your own tank top or t-shirt while sipping on a delicious Lost Evenings Brew. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

Friday, July 9

Apex Aleworks — 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri — is kicking off your weekend with some comedy. Comedian Copenhagen Bandit returns to KC for a night of laughs. Can’t make it on Friday? He’ll also be performing on Saturday night as well. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday, July 10

Crane Brewing Co. — 6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri — has teamed up with Jackson County and the Raytown Chamber of Commerce to throw a huge party for the grand opening of the Rock Island Trail. Crane will be hosting the party starting at noon with multiple food trucks and the release of two brand new beers they brewed to mark the occasion, Rock Island Blonde Ale and Trailsmith Saison.

Big Rip Brewing Co. — 216 E. 9th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — is hosting a big reveal of their new mural. Art of the Joannasaurus spent 115 sessions creating it. Of course beer will be available for purchase. But if you like what you see art-wise, Art of the Joannasaurus will be on site with some prints and original pieces.

Sunday, July 11

Grains & Taps — 10 S.W. 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri — is offering an opportunity to learn how to brew your own beer directly from the pros! Join them at 1 p.m. to learn the basic methods of extract brewing with both equipment and recipe kits sold at Grains & Taps. The $25 cost of admission also includes a flight of beers and a personal pizza. You can purchase tickets here.

KC Bier Co. — 310 W 79th St., Kansas City, Missouri — is offering an authentic German experience without the cost and hassle of traveling to Germany. Head on over to KC Bier Co. starting at 1 p.m. for some live polka! Bram Wijnands will be performing classic German drinking songs for you to enjoy alongside the best German style beers and food KC has to offer. Event is rain or shine and free admission.