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Tap List | Stockyards Brewing Celebrates Two Years on the Trail

Stockyards Brewing Co. Stockyards Brewing Co. will be pouring samples at the Hy-Vee Arena for an attempt at the world's largest happy hour on Friday. (Pete Dulin I Flatland)
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4 minute read

Stockyards Brewing (1600 Genessee St., #100) kicks off its two-year anniversary celebration from April 12 to 15 with beer releases, a vinyl record release, and events (see calendar). Ahead of the festivities, Stockyards brewer Micah Weichert reflected on Stockyard’s first two years of operation.

“A lot of people in Kansas City were surprised that we made such good, clean, drinkable beer right off the bat,” Weichert said. “We are a newer brewery, but having a space with such a deep rich history as the Golden Ox and the Stockyards and West Bottoms Districts, along with tasty beer styles, has sort of made it feel like it’s been here the whole time.”

Q: How has the brewery grown since opening two years ago?

A: We set a goal for ourselves to have beer on draft in Kansas City, Missouri, within our first year. In February of 2017, 10 months after opening, we sent out our first kegs for distribution. Now we are selling draft beer on both sides of the state line and have nearly doubled production from our first year. We made a diligent effort to not compromise quality for quantity. We’ve continued to put out clean, quality beers. We feel that we have earned a reputation as some of the best beer being made in Kansas City and our taproom is certainly one of the most unique.

Q: What lessons have been learned as a newer brewery?

A: One of the biggest lessons has been to allow room for growth. If you make good beer, people will drink a lot of it, and you’ll need to expand to meet the demand. We are proud to announce that we are currently working on an expansion plan to allow us to continue to bring quality craft beer to more people in KC and surrounding areas.

Q: Any advice for breweries in the works?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is so much that goes into successfully opening and operating a brewery. Even the most veteran and experienced brewers will admit that they are constantly learning new things. One of the greatest qualities of the U.S. craft beer industry has always been the camaraderie and support that fellow brewers and breweries have had for each other. While some of that has gotten lost as the industry continues to grow and evolve, there are many of us here in Kansas City that are trying to preserve it.

Stockyards Brewing’s new OG Pale

Stockyards Brewing’s new OG Pale and live bluegrass are two ways to celebrate the brewery’s two-year anniversary this weekend. (Pete Dulin | Flatland)

Q: What artists are featured on the vinyl records release?

A: “Two Years On The Trail” is a special vinyl record release commemorating Stockyards Brewing Company’s second-year anniversary. Within the first couple months of being open, we started hosting live bluegrass, folk and country music every other Sunday. This musical collection features six different groups that have played at Stockyards since the beginning. These local and regional musicians have helped make Stockyards a special place with a special vibe. The bands on the record include Betse and Clarke with The Short Round Stringband and Brushy Creek, John Brown Boys, Kasey Rausch and The Country Duo, Konza Swamp [Band], The Matchsellers, and Old Sound (band members Grady Keller and Chad Brothers created the artwork and sound production of the album).

Q: Tell us about French Bottoms IPA, a new release with Saison and IPA roots.

A: French Bottoms IPA is more than just a blend of two beers. We took the Saison and West Bottoms IPA recipes, put them together, and wrote a new recipe. Rye and wheat malts were both previously featured in the Saison. Rye malt helps create that peppery characteristic and leaves a slightly dry finish on the palate. Wheat malt is used to help head retention, add sweetness and create some body and mouthfeel. We changed the hop varieties (Mosaic and Opal), while keeping the amounts and levels of the hops mostly the same. The addition of French chamomile to the boil is the key ingredient not found previously in either beer.

Brew Lab

Brew Lab has nine diverse styles of beers on tap right now. (Contributed | Brew Lab)

Tap Notes

Brew Lab (7925 Marty St., Overland Park, Kansas) will start a barrel program in the next month in collaboration with an area winery.

“Starting in a few days, we’ll also have Stone Pillar Winery’s Hofftoberfest wine on tap,” brewery co-founder Kevin Combs said. “Look forward to a grape-infused beer using grapes immediately after their harvest. In April, we plan to re-brew our popular Mexican Stout and Humulus Stratus NE Juicy IPA in preparation for branding it for future distribution.”

Brew Lab’s current tap list runs the gamut of styles. Newly tapped beers include Alpha Pinene West Coast IPA and Current Flow Hoppy Sour. Other temptations include Belgique Scientifique Belgian Dubbel, Offaly Clever Dry Stout, Humulus Stratus NE Juicy IPA, Berry Cut Blackberry Sour, Mount Anderson Vanilla Milkshake Porter Collaboration, Uncut, a 100-percent unblended foeder-aged sour, and Encore Coffee Collaboration Coffee Cream Ale.

BKS Artisan Ales (633 E. 63rd St., #120) has expanded its tasting room hours to noon to 7 p.m. every Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Stockyards Brewing Company (1600 Genessee St., #100) has released OG Pale, a retooling of the brewery’s first-ever batch of Golden Alt.

“Golden Alt was essentially a German Altbier with a lighter color and taste profile,” brewer Micah Weichert said. “It was one of the first beers we brewed and put on tap. Loved by many for the better part of our first two years, we decided to discontinue it and now revive it with a fresh new taste. We brewed OG Pale with a similar malt profile, but with all organically-grown German Pilsner, Vienna and Crystal malts. We changed the hops to include organic U.S. and New Zealand grown varieties, which have really helped give the beer a fresh, pale ale flavor and aroma.”

Cinder Block Brewery (110E. 18th Ave) will release Hop Maven 10 (X) Double Block IPA, the latest in its rotating IPA series, at the end of April. More details to come.

Papa Keno’s Pizzeria & Bar (1815 Wyandotte St.) will have Torn Label Brewing’s Magic Magic IPA, a limited release, on tap this week.

Servaes Brewing Company

Servaes Brewing Company will have a canned beer giveaway this week at Crane Brewing’s taproom. (Contributed| Servaes Brewing Company)

This Week

Tuesday, April 10

At Geeks Who Drink Trivia, Cinder Block Brewery (110 E 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri) will give the winner two tickets to the brewery’s upcoming beer dinner (April 12) with EJ’s Urban Eatery.

Wednesday, April 11

International Tap House (403 E. 18th St.) hosts trivia night with game night sponsor Brickyard Brewing. Duly-named Epic Blackout Stout (17-percent ABV) will be on tap.

Fringe Beerworks (224 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri) plays host to Perennial Artisan Ales for a tap takeover featuring a Sump variant, Prodigal, Distant Land, Hopfentea, Hommel Bier and Static Electricity.

Formerly known as Courtney James Brewing, Servaes Brewing is the new name of a brewery-in-planning by homebrewer Courtney Servaes. Servaes will conduct a free giveaway of her canned beer at Crane Brewing (6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri). Take home a sample of her beers, meet the brewer, and learn more about her vision for the brewery. Beers slated for giveaway include Our House NEIPA, SMASH IPA, Mango Milkshake Pale Ale, House Coffee Stout using MAPS Coffee Roasters, Maple Bacon Coffee Stout, Peaches and Cream Golden Sour, Tropical Fruit Gose, and Gose with Pink Guava, Orange, Strawberry and Passion Fruit.

Bier Station (120 E. Gregory Blvd.) partners with Martin City Brewing Company and Swoon Cookie Crafters in support of Camp Encourage. Try MCBC’s Belgian Blond with cookies designed to pair perfectly with beer. All proceeds go toward scholarships for youth with autism in Kansas and Missouri to attend Camp Encourage. Each donation will be doubled.

Panelists Alana Broyles, Annie Davis and Jennifer Helber discuss “Sexism in Beer” on the KC Social live podcast at Colony KC (312 Armour Road, North Kansas City, Missouri). Attend, listen, learn and enjoy beer from Colony KC.

Thursday, April 12

Cinder Block Brewery collaborates with Chef John Cedric Smith for its first-ever beer dinner at EJ’s Urban Eatery (1414 W. Ninth St.). The four-course, five-beer menu includes Cinder Block’s Black Squirrel, Retribution Rye, Golden Candy and more. RSVP by calling 816-491-8262 or email info@ejsurbaneatery.com.

Stockyards Brewing Company (1600 Genessee St., #100) kicks off its extended two-year anniversary celebration by tapping its 2017 Anniversary Ale.

“Only four kegs remain from last year’s divine, celebratory concoction of hops and Belgian yeast,” Stockyard Brewing’s Caleb Coop says. “We’ll be tapping one keg a day through Sunday.”

Double Shift Brewing (412 E. 18 St.) releases Tesseract Hazy IPA (6.2-percent ABV).

“Inspired by our flagship IPA, Tessellation, this version is brewed with an incredible amount of flaked oats and wheat in the mash, and hopped with loads of Mosaic, in addition to our old friend, Simcoe hops, in the whirlpool,” head brewer Bryan Stewart said. “Adding layers of ripe tangerine and terroir and pine with Simcoe, we’ve also dry-hopped with Citra for an even larger citrus aroma to complement the usual qualities of floral, tropical fruit-heavy Mosaic.”

Hogshead Kansas City (4743 Pennsylvania Ave.) hosts a Kansas City brewery tap takeover as a benefit for the Child Protection Center from 4 to 7 p.m. Fresh beer from Kansas City Bier Company and other local breweries will be on tap.

Martin City Brewing leads a tap takeover at Red Lyon Tavern (944 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas) with Big Brother Imperial Stout, Imperial Alchemy with vanilla, Radical Candor, Forgotten Farmhouse, and Shunned House Brett IPA on tap.

The Grand Street (8815 Renner Blvd,, Lenexa, Kansas) beer dinner has a “local focus,” with six beers from Boulevard Brewing Company, Crane Brewing Company, Martin City Brewing Company, Mother’s Brewing Company, and 4 Hands Brewing Company and five courses. RSVP by emailing lori@grandstreetcafe.com or call 913-601-3500.

Friday, April 13

Meet the Cinder Block Brewery crew at Winning Streaks at Harrahs (1 Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City, Missouri). Sample beer for free and pick up Cinder Block swag from 8 to 10 p.m.

Stockyards Brewing Company releases “Two Years On The Trail,” a special vinyl record release that commemorates the brewery’s two-year anniversary. The Flood Brothers perform at 7 p.m.

Kansas City Bier Company will offer free samples of its Dunkel, Helles, Hefeweizen, and Pils at Lukas Liquor (12100 Blue Valley Parkway, Overland Park, Kansas) from 5 to 7 p.m.

Smokehouse BBQ (8451 NW Prairie View Road) prepares a three-course barbecue dinner paired with Boulevard Brewing beers. Pairings include a hickory-grilled French pork chop with smoked pork belly bacon and grilled vegetables teamed with 2017 Rye on Rye on Rye. Limited seating, tickets are $65 plus tax and gratuity. RSVP at 816-587-3337.

BLVD Tours and Rec Center (2534 Madison) hosts the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) Rally in the Tasting Room from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees will enjoy complimentary samples of limited-release beers and take home a recipe packet of fan favorite Boulevard beers scaled for homebrew. Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels and Ambassador Brewer Jeremy Danner lead a panel discussion on recipe development. Card-carrying AHA members may receive a complimentary full pour of their choice in the Beer Hall. Event is free to AHA members, RSVP required. Memberships available for purchase at check-in.

Leinenkugel’s KC (1323 Walnut St.) presents Brews & Bites, hosted by John Leinenkugel. Each ticket includes four Leinenkugel’s beer tasters each paired with a complementary bite, choice of one Leinenkugel pint, discounted beverages, live music and entertainment and entry for a Chippewa Falls trip giveaway.

Saturday, April 14

Stockyards Brewing Company taps French Bottoms IPA.

“Around 200 years ago, before the West Bottoms, this area was known as The French Bottoms, where French settlers lived on and farmed the land between the bluffs and the Kansas and Missouri rivers,” Stockyards Brewing’s Caleb Coop said. “To commemorate our two-year anniversary and the rich history of Kansas City, we’ve brought back our Saison and intertwined the recipe with West Bottoms IPA. This Farmhouse-style IPA has complex flavors derived from Mosaic and Opal hops, rye and wheat malts, orange and lemon peel, chamomile and traditional saison yeast.”

Double Shift Brewing releases Turk Kahvesi, a coffee stout inspired by the “preparation of finely-ground coffee brewed with cardamom served around the world and adopted by many cultures,” head brewer Bryan Stewart said. “Sourcing this year’s version from Messenger Coffee, their espresso blend brings qualities of bing cherry and brown sugar to this transitional stout. With notes of velvety chocolate and subtle sweetness to bold coffee and aromatic green cardamom, like many coffee traditions, drink with friends and family.”

In addition to being on tap, Double Shift will soon release Turk Kahvesi in 22-ounce bombers ($12, no limit) and create two single-keg variants. Check their Facebook page for announcements.

Sunday, April 15

Welcome to Lazy Sunday at Cinder Block Brewery (110 E. 18th Ave, North Kansas City, Missouri), where the only effort to be expended involves getting to the taproom, eating and drinking. The brewery’s breakfast menu debuts at noon and is available until sold out. Specials on French cider mimosas and red beer await.

Stockyards Brewing Company kicks off its Stockyards Sundays bluegrass series with live music from the Stockyards String Band and bands featured on its vinyl record release, “Two Years On The Trail.” Pop down to the taproom for a beer, open jam session and chat with folks about craft beer and folk music.

– 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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