Tap List | Kansas City Beer Scene Adapted in 2020 Here's to Better Days in 2021
Published January 5th, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Above image credit: Fields & Ivy Brewery is open in Lawrence, Kansas. (Contributed | Fields & Ivy)Many of us woke up to snowy driveways on New Year’s Day. New-fallen snow symbolizes change and tranquility, and some change and tranquility would be welcome after the dumpster fire that was 2020.
But not everything was awful in 2020. As previous Tap Lists can attest, the Kansas City beer scene adapted quickly to a challenging pandemic. Breweries came together for the Together We Can events, implemented social distancing guidelines for in-person hangouts, and even hosted virtual booze-and-food pairings.
In short, the Kansas City beer scene rallied together in 2020. Here’s a toast to better days ahead in 2021.
Taste a bit of history this week as Fields & Ivy Brewery — 706 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas — commemorates the release of Kansas Lager, a Vienna-style lager brewed with 100% barley malt from the great state of Kansas.
“We are hoping to brew this special beer to celebrate the return of local barley source beers to Kansas and to honor the history of brewing in our region,” said Dan Chivetta, head brewer at Fields & Ivy.
The folks at Fields & Ivy believe that lager made purely from Kansas-grown barley malt has not been available in bottles since the 19th century. If you know the history of Kansas alcohol prohibition, which stretched from 1881 until 1948, then you know this is a special beer release. And even if you don’t, this is a beer you don’t want to miss!
Beer Releases
Transport Brewery — 11113 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — released Trop Queen, a New England IPA made with Citra, Azacca and El Dorado hops clocking in at 7.2% ABV (70 IBU). They also released Paris of the Plains, a farmhouse ale made with all French hops (6% ABV, 30 IBU).
Not Lost Brewing — 229 S. Main St., Ottawa, Kansas — has released Pilsner, a super crushable beer clocking in at 5.4% ABV (24 IBU). This pilsner was made with Columbus and Cascade hops from Kansas Hop Co.
What’s the Matter with Coconuts? Nope, this isn’t actually a question. It’s the name of an imperial stout made by Fields & Ivy Brewery — 706 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas. This stout, which pays tribute to William Allen White’s essay “What’s the Matter with Kansas?,” clocks in at a hefty 10% ABV (55 IBU) and is loaded with coconut flavor.
Saying goodbye just got easier. 3Halves Brewing Co. — 110 E. Kansas St., Liberty, Missouri — has released Currant State of Mind (6% ABV), a sour ale made with a healthy dollop of black currant puree. This cherry flavored, wine-like ale is meant to be a farewell to 2020. Drink to that!
Alma Mader Brewing — 2635 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri — just dropped Due Course (7% ABV), an New England IPA brewed with Simcoe, El Dorado and Strata hops! This delicious beer boasts of melon, pomelo grapefruit and danky goodness.
Strange Days Brewing — 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri — recently dropped Broadcast Contrast, a milk stout that boasts of chocolate and hazelnut clocking in at 6.4% ABV.
Beer Events
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Head over to Double Shift Brewing Co. — 412 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri — for Trivia Tuesdays. To better enable social distancing, there’s a limit of 10 teams, with a maximum of six players per team. Play for the cash prizes, and stay for the beer!
Are you a rising star in the Kansas City area? Do you often sing, perform karate moves, or dance in the shower, wondering what it would be like to be a contestant in America’s Got Talent? Wonder no more! East Forty Brewing — 1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Missouri —is hosting an open mic night this Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. To top it off, happy hour is all night!
Friday, Jan. 8
Be the DJ once again at Border Brewing Co. — 406 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri. The theme this week will be breakup songs. Download the Rockbot app on your phone, play your favorite breakup songs, and wait as the up-votes begin to pour in, much like our tears during a breakup. The music and heartbreak starts at 5 p.m.
Servaes Brewing Company — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — will be serving up mixed four-packs of their smoothie-style sour ales. Online pre-orders will go live Thursday at 8 p.m. on the website. Each four-pack will come equipped with a can of Berry Cherry, Vanilla Orange Strawberry, Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry, and Peach Mango Orange. Pick-up time is at 2 p.m. on Friday.
Saturday, Jan. 9
Do you like beer? Do you like breakfast food? Then head over to Red Crow Brewing Co. — 1062 W. Santa Fe St., Olathe, Kansas — this Saturday at 11 a.m. for brews and brunch! Eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, chicken and waffles will be flowing, and so will Red Crow’s delicious beer!
Apex Aleworks — 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri — is yet again your spot for live music this Saturday at 8 p.m. DrunkClub will be playing an acoustic set chock full of your favorite 90s alternative, punk and emo favorites.
Correction: East Forty Brewing hosts open mic and all night happy hour on Tuesday, not Wednesday, as reported in an earlier version of this story.