So we are visiting our daughter at the end of the month in Wichita. Spending 2 nights in Wichita and then overnight in Kansas City. We are on the waiting list for the Boulevard tour, but hopes aren't very high. So question is...where should we visit in KC and Wichita? Also, thinking of staying downtown/old town wichita but where should we stay in KC in terms of being close to craft beer bars. Not looking for quantity of beer, but quality. Any suggestions along with can't miss pickup bottles to bring back (esp. any hard to come by) would be greatly appreciated!
Hit up Goebel's Liquors in west Wichita. Excellent selection. I was in Wichita over Christmas and found several places who still had 2009 BCBS on the shelves. A beer desert it is not, despite appearances.
Would love to get an 09 BCBS...been looking for one for a vertical. Where should we stay to be within walking of some beer places?
What about KC? Any can't miss places for some really hard to find beer? Was thinking of staying in the Overland area, but maybe should consider the country club/old westport area?
In KC you should hit up Beer Kitchen, McCoys(brewery), and The Foundry. All are right next to each other in WestPort. As far as beer stores go to Lukas Liquor (135th State Line) or Royal Liquor (103rd State line). There is a Gomers near westport (39th st) good selection, but dont ask them any questions, they will just make something up. If you stay in Overland Park There is a Lukas Liquor on 119th st, huge selection, Bobby (bobbydigi on BA) works there and he could prob help you out. Also in OP there is a bar with decent tap list called Barley's Brewhaus(119th St). Best place to stay, by far, is Westport. Dont think you will find any 09 BCBS, I drank my last one on sat or Id give it to you, If you are interested in an IP trade let me know.
If your staying down town wichita. R and J liqour has a good selection. I'm in charge of the beer stuff there Got anything for a IP trade?
I'm absolutely up for trading. Of course flying in so can't bring much. Yahoo sue I can get and might be able to get some of their limited stuff like fortuitous and preservation ale. What do you have in mind?
In Wichita #1 is Goebel, on the west side. #2 is Global, which is NE. After that come RJ, Grove and ABC west. For a good brewery with good food, Wichita Brewing is tough to beat. Old Chicago also has a good selection with good food, but I avoid the east side store. In Old Town River City Brewing is okay, but nowhere as good as a few years ago. The Anchor has a good variety on tap, and they have reportedly improved their food, which wouldn't have taken much work.
If anyone has a BCBS 2010, I'm def up for a trade. Trying to get vertical. Can possible bring a Yazoo fortuitous. Also they just released a brewery only preservation ale.
As mentioned earlier, in KC you should stay near or in Westport. Lots of good beer in walking distance.
Have family coming in to KC to visit. Looking for help on things to maybe have them grab for me. I love Boulevard Harvest Dance but other than that not sure what to look into. Thanks. Also love local cans if that helps!
Harvest Dance and Nommo dubbel just hit Wichita today. Another good limited is the Reverb Imperial Pilsner. If you're looking for cans get the Tallgrass beers. Right now they have an 8-pack mixer, first time they have done one. All are very good, I could live on the Buffalo Sweat. Another good local is Free State, which bottles in 12 oz. Right now they are selling Iron Man Stout, delicious. Another local is Weston, but most of their brews aren't worth the trouble. They have a couple of good ones, most are strike-outs.
A slight detour on your way from KC to Wichita would put you through Lawrence, KS which has a great brewery called Free State. You will find their bottles throughout KS, all very tasty, but the big reason to go to the brewery itself is threefold: 1) Lawrence is a fun town 2) Lota of good food 3) Old Backus Barleywine. One of the highest rated barleywines out there and every bit worth the hype. Draft only and randomly taps here and there. Be really really really nice to the bartender and you may be able to sweet talk her into a growler fill. Or just go with JeepCop. He runs the beer scene in Lawrence. :-)
Oh and definitely contact Rob at Goebel's before you pack. He has a crazy cellar (I mean absolutely freakin nuts) and is a super generous guy and an authentic person. He probably has just about anything you could want either on his shelves or in his cellar. See if you can ser up a trade with him.
I've already contacted rob. He is having an event the Saturday of our trip. Unfortunately, we will be in kc. I thought I would bring yazoo's limited release stuff to see if he is up for a trade.
Bringing a bottle of Yazoo Fortuitous and Preservation Ale. Both extremely limited and not available in retail.
A search on visiting Boulevard turned up this thread. Website says they're open until 5 and do tours....but no mention of a tasting room. Do they have one? I'm in KC now and for today only.
