Share This Story Above Image Credit: 2000 Vine Street in July 2022. (Tommy Felts | Startland News)
Before the end of January, we thought now was a good time to provide an update on all the exciting brewery developments coming in 2023. There are several breweries we’ve written about in the last few months that have made quite a lot of progress.
The brewery most people are probably wondering about is the new Vine Street Brewing Co. in the 18th and Vine area. Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery has been quite busy partnering with other local breweries while building its own taproom.
Two weeks ago, Vine Street posted a photo on their Facebook showing the delivery of new kegs. Last week, the brewery announced it is hiring for full-time positions. While no opening date has been announced, there is a high probability that Vine Street will open its doors within the next few months.
The new Friction Beer Co. moving into Hartman Hardware’s old location on Johnson Drive in Shawnee is also making headway. The brewery had several setbacks this past year and remained silent on social media until a couple of weeks ago. The owners, Brent Anderson and Nathan Ryerson, announced that they have dutifully continued construction.
While waiting for utilities like gas and electricity to come on, they’ve put all sorts of fun touches into their taproom, which will open with 16 draft lines. They are currently finishing up the finishing touches like artwork, paint and a few other details. In a January 9 Facebook post, the brewery said that while no opening date had been set, it was only weeks away from an opening. Barring setbacks, look for a grand opening between mid-February and early March.
Another new brewery expected to open soon is located on West 39th Street. and is aptly named 39th Street Brewery. In October, the brewery announced it was pretty close to being finished. The bar was nearly complete, electricity and plumbing had been installed, and the brewery/cellar was nearly fully operational. Look for their grand opening in the coming weeks.
Since we’re talking about new openings, we’d be remiss if we didn’t give you a quick update on existing breweries with plans to expand. Transport Brewery and Servaes Brewing Co., both based in Shawnee, have expansion plans for 2023. Transport is building a second brewery in Gardner and Servaes is expanding to its current location.
Transportation is expected to have some exciting announcements regarding the new Gardner headquarters during its fourth anniversary celebration this weekend.
Their Servaes neighbors, meanwhile, have purchased the building next to their existing taproom, which will effectively double its space to expand both seating and the brewery. Servaes has not announced a completion date.
Beer releases
River Bluff Brewing – 201 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri – has a double beer release this week. The first is for hop lovers. The new White IPA comes in at 6.4% ABV and is loaded with the aromas and flavors of grass, flowers and candied lemon peel. If you’re wondering what our ancestors drank, try the new Bye George. Nicknamed a “heritage beer,” the beer was brewed with 15 percent black treacle, coriander, juniper berries, and ginger. The 5.7% ABV beer is sure to make you feel like you’re enjoying a drink in a colonial tavern.
Strange Days Brewing Co. – 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri – is channeling its inner metalhead with its latest release Desolation. The beer is a German-style black lager at 5.4% ABV. The beer is full of chocolate and roasted malt aromas. Throw out your heaviest metal album and down some of these delicious beers.
Rochester Brewing and Roasting Co. – 2129 Washington St., Kansas City, Missouri – has released a 6.9% ABV fruit forward IPA called Minerva. Hopped with Chinook and Altus, you’ll get notes of Tangerine, Grapefruit, and Pine. The hop bitterness is well balanced by the citrus flavors and smooth mouthfeel.
Apex Aleworks – 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri – just put out a new beer that is sure to trick your taste buds. Serial Bandit is a blonde stout at 6.4% ABV. While it may appear light in color, the body and mouthfeel are similar to a traditional stout. Prepared with lactose, rolled oats and toasted oats, you will get a creamy but crunchy beer.
Fields & Ivy Brewery – 706 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas – has real Kansan beer available in their taproom. They released Kansas Keller, a 5.5% abv Viennese-style kellerbier. Use all local ingredients. The grain came from Wellsville, Kansas while the hops were grown at the Kansas Hop Co. The beer has some sweetness from the grain to match the biscuit and toast flavors before being rounded off with a clean hoppy finish.
Crane Brewing Co. – 6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri – has released a new beer called Theories of Hibernation. The new beer is a black lager that comes in at 5.8% ABV. The roasted malts give this beer cocoa powder and coffee flavors. You’ll get some additional fruity flavors with the addition of Callista hops and Earl Gray tea.
Pathlight Brewing – 11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, Kansas – buzzed during the week with a double beer release. First up is Lamplight Symphony, a 5.7% pale ale brewed in partnership with Tall Trellis and Kansas Malt Co. In addition to local malts, the hops were sourced from Kansas Hop Co. It has a floral and citrusy nose with a clean taste , crunchy finish. You can also grab the 6.5% ABV Fireside Chats, which was released last week exclusively on draft, in cans.
Tall Trellis Brew Co. – 25600 W. Valley Pkwy., Olathe, Kansas – has a new rock beer called Power Chords. This misty IPA features Kansas Hop Co. Cascade and Kanook hops along with Bru-1, Vic Secret, Sabro, and Talus. The combination of these six hops leads to huge tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut. It comes in at a respectable 7% ABV.
Beer events
Thursday 2 February
Transport Brewery – 11113 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas – is celebrating its fourth anniversary and kicks off Thursday. The event lasts four days and concludes on Sunday. You’ll be able to celebrate the brewery with some new beer offerings, glassware, merchandise, and fun events. Each day will feature a different food truck to help you with all your hunger needs.
Lawrence Beer Co. – 826 Pennsylvania St., Lawrence, Kansas – hosts a scholarship fundraising event for the Lawrence Education Association. LEA Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who plan to major in education. From 4.00pm to 9.00pm, all sales will go towards the scholarship fund. This includes food, drinks, merchandise, gift cards and more.
Saturday 4th February
Fringe Beer Works – 224 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri – wants you to put your best chili recipe to the test. The brewery will host a chili cooking competition. There are no entry fees for chili entries. Prizes will be awarded for the best chilli voted by the people. Tickets to attend will cost $20 and it’s all you can eat. You’ll get a bowl, spoon, chillies, and even a beer included in the ticket price.
Sunday February 5th
Limitless Brewing – 9500 Dice Lane, Lenexa, Kansas – hosts a double pop-up. If you’re looking to do some shopping, pop into the brewery between 1-5pm. The Babe Standard will sell hats and jewelry. If you happen to work up an appetite, you can grab crepes from Krazy Krepe’s food truck.
Alex Andujar is a former beer salesman turned personal trainer. When he’s not training clients, you can find him trying out new beers at many of Kansas City’s best local breweries.
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