KC Trip

Holstein had the Oddly Correct coffee. I'm not sure if that's standard or a variation of the base milk stout. It tasted like cold brew coffee with hints of chocolate and drank quite a bit bigger than it's 6%. I know that they are a very small operation, husband and wife, who are both keeping their day jobs in the short term. So hours could be sparse early on. I'm really excited for them and think they'll be a strong addition to the KC beer scene. I think he'll give KC a consistent, well done, NEIPA with a nice mix of Belgians, stouts, and fun sours.

 

Oh wow. I didn't know it was a side operation for a couple. That's great. Seriously. Holstein sounds delightful, especially with Oddly Correct coffee.

I'm really eager to try their stuff. I don't often go out of my way for beer, but I'll have to make the drive over on a Saturday in December and do a bit of sampling. It sounds like they'll fit into the beer scene well, plus the brewery is in a cool spot. Thanks for sharing!

 

Too late to help you, but in case anyone else finds this thread looking for Overland Park beer stuff... it's pretty much a brewery wasteland besides Brew Lab, which opened a promising new tap room a few months ago. Lukas has a huge newer store there, and Barley's is the local beer bar.

There's also a Gordon Biersch on the border of OP in Leawood (don't think they actually brew on site). Depending how far south you go, Martin City Brewing is also out that way, but I wouldn't necessarily make a special trip to either one.

 

Since this seems to be the only KC thread I'll ask here: anyone going to BKS today for their release?

 

I'll likely try and trade for a Pine Tree, but with only 200, that may prove difficult. I'd definitely be there if I still lived in KC.

 

Yeah, I'm curious how quick stuff will go. And they only have 80 of each bottle of Vacation Island. Not sure if that's a lot, or not much based on their expected turn out.

 

i'm gonna be in KC on friday...that BKS artisan ales sounds very up my alley but unfortunately will not be open. is there any great/fresh local hoppy beers i should pick up that i could find in 4/6 packs at lukas or gomers around right now?

 

BKS will be open Saturdays starting on Saturday, but that doesn't sound like it'll work. Unfortunately, we're really lagging in terms of NEIPA hops (if that's what you're seeking).

Torn Label's Hang 'Em High (a West Coast IPA with rotating hops) has their 15th batch out now. I'd look for that, although it comes in bombers. Torn Label also reguarely cans their Alpha Pale Ale, which is borderline IPA hoppy (IMHO). It's good stuff, just make sure it's fresh as some of it has a tendency to sit.

Should you be up north, I'd give Cinderblock a call and see if they have any cans in stock. They can their beers every now and then, and just sell through the brewery. Format is a 4 pack of 16oz cans.

Martin City is down south by one of the two Lukas Liquors. Their Hardway IPA is a staple. Otherwise, you could snag some Kentucky Frair (an American Strong Ale) and their BA Abbey in 6 packs right now. I know it's not hops, but I think it's super tasty stuff.

Holler if you've got any more questions, or if you potentially want to meet up for a brew. Enjoy your visit!

 

thanks for all the info! it turns out that i may not even be able to hit up anything in the actual "KC area" which kind of stinks, as i will only be there for a couple of hours to look at furniture at ikea and have to get back to town by evening

i am definitely at least going to q39 south and the KS gomers...and potentially martin city now. thanks again!

 

Has there been much of a line for the BKS releases? Going to be there next Saturday. Sounds like a real cool place.

 

There have been decent lines (~60 people) and growing. Releases sell out within the hour.

The real issue is getting in for drafts when they start serving. They reach capacity inside within a half hour of opening. If you're okay with hanging outside in the cold, you could probably show up later for draft pours, but if it's semi-decent out it'll be packed.

 

Good for them! Sounds like they are making some great beer.

 

Agreed. I'm glad KC is supporting them so well, I just wish I could get it a little easier. Still, I'm excited for their future. I think if they make the right decisions, they could really create something amazing.

 

Makes sense. What have the limits been?

 

They've been doing anywhere from 1 to 2 per person. The last Pine Tree IPA release they did, it was 2 per trip, but you could go back through as many times as you wanted. They limited their 3 session sours to 1 total per trip (i.e. had to go through the line 3 times to get all 3).

During that trip, they did remove the limit when the line was nearly cleared, so if you were around then you could have bought as much as you wanted. I'm not sure how this last release went or if they'll continue to blow out their stock the last part of the release.

 

Visiting KC this weekend and this thread has been a great resource. I'll be in between Overland Park and the Nelson Atkins area, and it sounds like Double Shift and BKS will be the best breweries in the area? ISO more farmhouse/fruity IPA type styles.

 

It may be a bit out of your way, in Raytown (just east of the city), but Crane does some really nice farmhouse beers. You may be able to find some of their bottles in shops around the city if you can't make it to their brewery. If you're going to Double Shift, you should probably hit Torn Label down the street as well. I enjoy their hoppy beers and generally like them more than Double Shift. BKS would be a must even if they're still a little limited on selection.

 

Just as @KCUnited said, Crane is a good stop for some Farmhouse style beers. They tend to keep their Farmhouse IPA well stocked in stores. There is also a Brett version of their Farmhouse IPA, if that's something you're into. Small Ball is a saison as well. Lots of good stuff coming out of them.

BKS usually has one or two of their farmhouse beers on tap, at least during my visits.

Torn Label did a juiced version of their rotating hop series IPA Hang 'Em High that was delightful. Hard to say if it's still on tap, but the brewery is a few block walk from Double Shift. It's in a strange alley, but it's at least close by.

It isn't fruity, but KC Bier is fairly close as well. They serve up German beer, which may fall more around that malty sweetness you're seeking in a farmhouse. It's winter too, which means they have all their tasty beers out (IMHO).

Stockyards is about as north as Crossroads (where Double Shift, Border, Brewery Emperial, and Torn Label all reside), but sorta out more west towards you. They serve up a saison, although I'm not totally sure if it's on tap right now.

Tank 7 is the KC classic farmhouse, but that's available regionally.

Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank on any close-to-you breweries. That area of Kansas is sorta dry, although somewhat expanding its beer production. It's also a side I make it to very rarely.

 

Thanks for the assist guys! Sounds like I'll be adding Torn Label to the list if they're all in the same area! KC Bier sounds like it's worth checking out as well. I've been to Crane a few times and that place is outstanding.

 

Hey. Yet another guy (hopefully) coming to KC for work at the end of May. Any updates to this thread? I've got a good sense based on what y'all have said above.

Is there anywhere that has a good variety of local stuff on tap so I can maximize my exposure?

Oh, and I will be there over the week--not a weekend, so the BKS tap room is not possible :-( Anywhere I can get their stuff on tap that isn't their taproom?