So I'm gonna be there this weekend for a lacrosse tournament for my kids. Already know we are eating BBQ both nights, but would love to hit a liquor store and find something interesting. What should I look for that I can't get in MN?
It has been over four years since I lived in Overland Park, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but while I was there, my favorite liquor stores for beer on the Kansas side were Tipsy's Wine & Spirits on Johnson Drive in Mission, and MDL Wine and Spirits on 95th and Antioch in Overland Park. Hopefully someone with more current information can chime in if there are better recommendations. As for specific beers to look for, I couldn't begin to tell you. While I lived there, there were basically only three breweries in the entire city: Boulevard, KC Bier Company, and Martin City Brewing. Boulevard didn't even have a taproom (presumably because of laws that changed since I moved away), and the scene has exploded since then.
I was in MDL Wine and Spirits last month while visiting and in the area to get my Taco Via fix. Nice, big liquor store. Had one or two bourbons that aren't the easiest to find here in Chicago. I also noted they had fresh City Barrel cans among other locals. Its been 6 years since I lived in KC and worked in OPKS, but Lukas Liquor on 119th and Metcalf is a good store I'd hit on occasion. Wasn't a ton going on in that area, beer-wise, when I was there, so unsure if that's changed or not. Probably not.
Here are a few solid breweries I'd recommend you look for: KC Bier (their kolsch is the current summer seasonal) Torn Label Free State Fields & Ivy Roughtail (Oklahoma) 2nd Shift (Missouri) There are certainly plenty more local options; these are just my personal favorites. Have fun!
+1 to MDL on 95th, and Lukas on 119th & Metcalf. Haven't been in almost 2 years, but they have been good in the past. In KC there's Bier Station and Plaza Liquor which have more of a handpicked selection, but a little further to travel. Where are you planning to go for BBQ?
Lukas has locations in KS and MO. They are the mega store in town (Binny’s/Total Wine/Spec’s). I rarely go into liquor stores so I can’t give you too much insight on who carries the best selection of (assumedly) beers. Is the lacrosse tourney at the Scheels sports complex? Metcalf Discount Liquor is decent and 10 minutes down the road, near some shopping, entertainment and food. Lukas MO about 15-20 min (same direction as Metcalf). While not a liquor store, BKS and Alma Mader are two of my go-to breweries for local beer. Order Thursday night at 7 pm sharp for BKS pick up Fri-Sun. Alma Mader stays in stock longer. Both are a fair drive (30 minutes+) from Scheels complex. Let us know what direction you go and what styles of beer you’re looking for, what bbq you hit up, etc! Safe travels!
The Kansas-side brewery scene has exploded in the last 2-3 years (to the point that the Johnson County Ale Trail is approaching a double-digit brewery count). Unless you're in the far southern part of OP, you shouldn't be too far away from Pathlight (75th & Nieman); it's my personal favorite of the breweries in that part of the metro.
Playing at Scheels, staying at residence Inn about 10 mins away I think. Metcalf liquor sounds like a plan. With 2 players in tow I doubt we will have time to go hit breweries, so hitting a liquor store and picking up a few local packs to share with the parents is always a win. Planning on Joes KC for sure for BBQ (hit it while it was oklahoma joes a few years ago and converted my wife into loving it), and Jack Fiorellas smoke stack. Hoping to find a decent place open Sunday as well to grab a meal for the drive home.
If you're still in the mood for barbecue on Sunday, I recommend Q39 South. It will almost certainly be very busy throughout the day, so make a reservation in advance/order online if you decide to go there.
Looked at their menu, they have a salad section. What sort of crazy person goes to a BBQ place and orders a salad?????? But thanks for the info, looks like we will have a take out spot to grab for the drive home sunday.
Like others said if you like lager you can't go wrong with KC Bier. One of the better lager/German style breweries in the country. I'd say similar to Capital back when Capital had a great reputation for lagers years ago. That's all I bought when we were in Kansas.
IIRC, Boulevard couldn't serve on site since they were/are a brewery. Breweries were not allowed to serve on site. That's why, for a time, Boulevard made wine to be relabeled as a "winery". Once they did this, they could open up a taproom to serve beer, so long as they made the minimum amount of wine annually to be considered a winery (I think it was something like 600 barrels.) Laws have changed since then, thankfully. Your list of stores are all great too. Notable thing about Tipsy's is the quality mixed six selection. Sometimes I pop over there to buy stuff I can't get in Missouri. If OP is a ticker, I'd highly recommend that Tipsy's. I think they include some small local breweries in their cooler space too such as Sandhill, which is made a mile or so away on Johnson Drive.
Ended up with a trip to jack stack. Wife loved the spicy sauce. metcalf liquors got a 6 pack of boulevard tropical sour (very good), 4 pack of an imperial stout from torn pages (also good). A 6 pack of a hazy ipa called “everything rhymes with orange” that I can’t get in mn (fine) also picked up a pumpkin spice yeti that I’m saving. saturday got me joes kc which was phenomenal again. And $75 worth of sauces bought at the price chopper to bring home and share some with family. Tried for q39 on the way out and it was just too long a wait after a long day. Girls team took 2nd place so it was a good trip.
Joe's Night of the Living BBQ is my favorite BBQ sauce - and maybe my favorite sauce of any time. Glad you enjoyed your trip, and congrats to your girls team.
