All things beer-related in the Kansas City metro in 2026. 2025 recap: - brewery openings: Up North (North KC) - brewery closings: Dubious Claims (Excelsior Springs), Willcott (Leavenworth), Nimble (KCMO), Double Shift (KCMO), Pathlight (Shawnee), Big Rip (North KC), Crane (Raytown), Boho (KCMO) Local GABF winners: Gold: - Alma Mader Coral Crush - Hoppy Lager - Boulevard Space Camper Zero Gravity - Hoppy Non-Alcohol Beer - KC Bier Co. Kölsch - German-Style Koelsch - Strange Days Spendid Defending - English-Style Brown Ale Silver: - KC Bier Co. Dunkelbock - German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock Previous threads: 2023: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/kansas-city-2023.670673/ 2024: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/kansas-city-2024.675654/ 2025: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/kansas-city-2025.680000/
Mentioning for any future visitors - Alma Mader posted that they have a bottle menu now, meaning you can select from some of their BA beers for on-site enjoyment. Previously, you could only get their BA beers during special events. Their website shows what is available. I am uncertain on if you can buy a single pour or if you have to purchase the bottle for on-site consumption. Their list is showing "Welcome", which I'd love to revisit.
Alma Mader announced they have a bottle list menu now for on-site consumption. I believe those vintage beers on their website's on-site availability list are bottles for on-site consumption. I have not had a chance to visit them since they started this option though, so cannot say with 100% certainty.
Besides bks and alma mader, friction and strange days seem to be putting out great hoppy ales. This isn’t just my opinion, this is backed by trend and word of mouth. However, I’ve never ever heard anyone talk about tall trellis. Ever. Anyone have any experience with their beers?
Tall Trellis is a good but not great & somewhat overpriced for their beers brewery IMO. Don't forget Discourse as another excellent for only 2 years or so old brewery putting out great hoppy ales on par with BKS & AM! In other words, why go to Tall Trellis when you can go to BKS, Alma Mader, Discourse, Friction, Servaes, Rock Creek, etc., etc........
My point is this: Tall Trellis benefits from being the only brewery within miles & miles of better breweries. It helps that there's a lot of affluent neighborhoods nearby that will support the brewery because they don't want to travel another half hour into the KC area/city for better beer. But I repeat, from the few times I've been there and tried many of their brews, why would anyone go there (or any other nice, good brewery) when you can go to another great-to-excellent-brewery (especially for the same if not cheaper price point) for better beers? Don't get me wrong, I'll still go to Tall Trellis a few times a year to see if they've stepped up their game, but they're the eighth, ninth or tenth option when I take my monthly road trip to the KC area breweries.
Hey, thank you for the thoughts. I don’t see myself ever going to Olathe for anything so I will wait unto the beer fairy to present an opportunity to try tall trellis. Until then, I’ll rely the the aforementioned. what are some stand out releases from discourse or rock creek?
Just punch up both breweries on tap lists. Discourse keeps pumping out so many new brews it's hard to keep up. Rock Creek has slowed down on the new beers but has a great many old(er) beers on tap at any one time. Also, don't forget about Sandhills just a few blocks away from Rock Creek & able to hit 'em both in the same visit.
Hah well I hope that means they are going through kegs and not overly ambitious brewers. I used to be a fan boy of Sandhills and their chickadee series and then my palate changed. I should return soon to that area for sure. Thanks again
A weekly "what's new" social media post isn't usually notable enough to comment on, but the Irish lager Alma Mader released this week - Third Leaf - is based on a 1962 recipe (presumably this Harp one) that's been made available by (and credit given to) the great @patto1ro
A roundup of news from the past couple of months: Local winners from the 2026 World Beer Cup: Bronze: Boulevard Space Camper Low Gravity IPA - Hoppy Non-Alcohol Beer Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad - Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer Gold: BKS Which Way - Session India Pale Ale BKS Westland - New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale Discourse Used 8 Track - Dortmunder/Export or German-Style Oktoberfest --- Big Grove opened a metro location (Prairie Village, to be exact) over Memorial Day weekend. --- The World Cup is just a couple weeks away, so I imagine there will be a number of beer-related special events, releases, etc. locally.
Alma Mader will move their taproom about 200 feet to the north and will have food, with an anticipated opening this fall. they’re partnering with a local Korean chicken restaurant and plan on having tank pours.
