Craft-beer lovers share their creations in nine new microbreweries recently opened in the Kansas City area.
Whether they are honoring fallen heroes of the U.S. Armed Forces or fleeing corporate America’s nest on their entrepreneurial wings, there are as many reasons for opening these new Kansas City area microbreweries as there are new brew houses. Adding to the bar scene in Kansas City, these nine have opened in the last few months as they continue to attempt to satiate the appetite of KC’s craft-beer lovers.
Several of the new owners had been homebrewing in the Kansas City area for years, oftentimes winning awards at national and international competitions, and they wanted to share their creations in a fun place where they could hang out with friends in their local communities.
Address: 100 W. Broadway Ave., Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Opened: Original saloon opened in 1894. Current owners opened in 2009; brewery added in July
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “The Atlas Brew. It was the beer that converted me to the craft beer scene because it’s a lager beer and I grew up on lager beers. A lot of breweries don’t brew lagers and this one has a nice, crisp, clean taste,” owner Jim McCullough says.
Top three best-selling brews:
- Atlas Brew
- Crystal Lithia Kolsch
- Siloam Irish Stout
Upcoming events: Participating in local festival BBQ & Fly-In on the River on August 17-18.
Address :1447 Gentry St, North Kansas City, MO
Opening: July 2018
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “I love the Blonde Bombshell Ale,” co-owner and business manager Chandra Sirois says. “This beer is not as hoppy as most traditional ales so it delivers a smooth easy drink. It goes down like a light beer, but watch out, it’s 6% ABV.”
Top three best-selling brews:
- Fighter Pale Ale
- Hercules Amber Ale
- Blonde Bombshell Ale
Upcoming events: Serving at UNICO Microbrew Festival at Zona Rosa, Sat., Aug. 11
Address: 1725 McGee St., Kansas City, Mo.
Opened: February 2018
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “Brewing stouts is my favorite. The roasted barley and dark grains make the entire brewery smell amazing. Kind of a mix of chocolate, coffee, and oatmeal—it’s fantastic,” owner Kyle Gray says.
Top-selling brew:
- IPL
Upcoming events: Aug. 3 – First Fridays in Crossroads. Aug. 14 – Second Tuesdays shuffleboard tournament. Aug. 16 – Third Thursdays Casual Coloring.
Address: 451 S. Thompson Ave., Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Opened: April 26
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “Any of our German-lagered beers that we brew is my favorite and we brew them German-style,” owner Neil Wilkerson says. “They’re smooth and more malty in flavor. That would be Vitality Vienna, Oktoberfest, Maibock or Munich Helles.”
Top three best-selling brews:
- Therapy Kohlsch
- Bathhouse Blueberry Wheat
- Relief IPA
Address: 201 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, Mo.
Opened: June 12
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “Our Second Breakfast Porter. It has a rich, decadent flavor, with a very smooth, creamy mouthfeel,” founder David Mann says.
Top three best-selling brews:
- Sunrise Saison
- Quarter Quarter Pale Ale
- Right Track IPA
Upcoming events: Participating in local festival BBQ & Fly-In on the River on August 17-18.
Address: 613 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kan.
Expected opening: Late August
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “I love a beautifully executed traditional mead that highlights single varietals of honey. There’s nothing to hide any flaws in these meads and I love it when you can showcase a specialty honey and let it really shine,” CEO & Head Meadmaker Daniel Bauer says.
(Expected) Top three best-selling brews (based on samplings):
- Whiskey Barrel-aged Peach Bochet
- Flowers & Bark
- Lavender Lemonade
Upcoming events: Watch for a series of soft opening events soon!
Martin City Pizza & Taproom @ Mission Farms
Address: 4000 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, Kan.
Opened: Original Martin City location in June 2011. Added brewery February 2014. Martin City at Mission Farms May 24.
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “Hard Way IPA. It’s the beer I’ve been looking for ever since we started brewing,” co-owner and Operations Director Matt Moore says.
Top three best-selling brews:
- Belgian Blonde
- Belgian Abbey
- Hard Way IPA
Upcoming events: Watch for Martin City Beer Club events coming soon. Private tours and event space available.
Business Address: 949 NE Columbus St., Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Opening: July 28
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “Crimson Bog, our dessert sour with cranberry and raspberry, is my favorite brew that we’ve done,” Tap Room Manager Joe Migletz says. “It’s a tart fruit bomb to start that finishes super creamy from our additions of lactose and vanilla.”
Top three (anticipated) best-selling brews (based on festivals and tastings):
- Crimson Bog
- Number Theory
- Breakfast of Champions
Address: 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
Opened: March
Owner’s personal favorite brew: “For me, it depends on what I’m doing,” says Chris Beier, co-owner and head of business operations. “If I’m working or hanging outside I really dig pilsners, pale ales, and IPAs. If I’m looking to relax and sip on a beer I tend to drink stouts, Belgians, and barrel-aged beers. The best part of drinking craft beer is you can find more than just one favorite style or brew.”
Top three best-selling brews:
- Sir Real IPA (American IPA)
- Daydream (French Saison)
- Australian Gold (Australian Ale)
Upcoming events: August 11 is the beginning of the English Premier League season and they will show all morning games.
Watch for these breweries opening this fall IN Kansas City
3 Trails Brewing
Independence, Mo.
Apex Aleworks
Independence, Mo.
City Barrel Brewing
Crossroads, Kansas City, Mo.
Limitless Brewery
Lenexa, KS
Sandhills Brewery
Mission, Kan.
Transport Brewery
Shawnee, Kan.
Let us know what you love about your favorite Kansas City microbrewery in the comments below! Did we miss a new brewery in your local neighborhood? Let us know that, too!