I'll be in Kansas Monday - Sunday (Overland Park and Lawrence to be exact), coming from Hawai'i. Any good local brews I should try or take home? Any places I shouldn't miss, other than Bbq spots? Mahalo!
My favorite Kansas brewery is definitely tall grass, if you can find some big Ricc pick some up, also a given but boulevard has some really good beers in the smokestack series. I looked at your reviews, with how much you like storm king make sure you try great divide yeti, it's another hoppy Imperial stout. Other than that I can't help a ton it's been a few years since ive been down there.
You like sours / farmhouse? Crane Brewing is a new brewery that's kicking ass. Highly recommend visiting their taproom.
I can help you with KC. To echo above I would check out Crane. They are a new brewery and really hit the ground running. Torn Label in downtown KC does some really good stuff, as does Martin City, plus MCB has great pizza and shouldn't be too far from you in OP. Only craft beer bar I went that far south for was Barleys Brewhouse. For shops, Lukas Liqour in OP makes BevMo look like a gas station selection. Really a sight to be seen, beer or otherwise. Royal Liqours and Tipsys would be my other suggestions for smaller shops with maybe a little different selection.
In KC hit Boulevard. And when in Lawrence go to Free State, downtown in the old interurban station. The beers aren't spectacular, but you won't be disappointed. As for what to return home with: From Kansas Tallgrass, Kansas Territory Brewing Time Portal Brown, Defiance Brewing. From Oklahoma Marshall, Prairie Artisan. From Missouri Boulevard, Schlafly, Urban Chestnut, O'Fallon. Lots to choose from, new breweries are opening. Most all have good, solid beers of all styles.
