Tap List | Farewell To A Kansas City Beer Giant, Rodney Beagle Local Craft Brewing Community Mourns Loss

I was prepping for the Super Bowl earlier this year when I noticed that my refrigerator was completely empty.

Okay, it wasn’t completely empty. There was plenty of food and snacks to transport to our small, socially distanced Super Bowl watch party.

But there was no beer. I panicked.

So I immediately contacted Rodney Beagle of 3Halves Brewing Co. about scheduling an emergency beer pick-up.

“Awesome,” Beagle responded. “Let me know when you come, and I’ll have a beer with you!”

As a Texas transplant living in Kansas City, I’ve always struggled with being accepted in a new space. Beagle’s message made me feel right at home. He was genuine, kind and caring.

I say “was” because Beagle passed away unexpectedly last week, and Kansas City’s beer community is in mourning.

I didn’t know Beagle very well personally. But there’s a saying in Spanish that goes “tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.”

Since Beagle’s passing there has been a massive outpouring of love and support for his friends and family all over the web. It’s as though Beagle left his own personal fingerprint on the hearts of everyone he met. (For a beautiful piece on Beagle’s legacy, see Pete Dulin’s recent article.)

Beagle established himself as a legend in the Kansas City beer scene.

He worked at Colony KC, running their nanobrewery operation, Colony Handcrafted Ales. Before that, he worked at The Big Rip Brewing Co. as an assistant brewer and bartender. Beagle also collaborated with breweries all over the Kansas City area, including Callsign Brewing and Diametric Brewing Co. Recently, he spearheaded 3Halves Brewing Co., a brewery in Liberty known for its incredible beer offerings.

Today, I’d like to join the chorus of those saying goodbye to Beagle. Thank you for making me feel at home, and for the incredible legacy you’ve left behind.

A memorial fund has been created for Beagle’s children: Coldin and Kayden Beagle. The Venmo account for the memorial funds is @BeaglePups.

Beer Releases

Strange Days Brewing — 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri — dropped several beers this past week. Rise N’ Shine (5.4% ABV), is a fruited sour brewed with tangerine, apricot, pineapple and lactose. Half Slab (5.7% ABV) is a hazy IPA made with a variety of hops, including Mosaic, Topaz, Strata, and Hallertau Blanc.

Alma Mader Brewing — 2635 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri — released Nothing to Hide (5.8% ABV), a single-hopped, juicy pale ale made with Simcoe hops. Breezecatcher (8.0% ABV), is an New England IPA brewed with Azacca, Strata, Simcoe, Mosaic and Citra hops.

Free State Brewery — 636 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas — just dropped Hoptic Nerve (5.0% ABV, 36 IBU), an IPA with notes of peach, pineapple, orange and gooseberry.

Rockcreek Brewing Co. — 5880 Beverly Ave., Mission, Kansas — released Breck (7.2% ABV, 58 IBU), an American IPA and, Fetchez La Vachie (7% ABV, 24 IBU), a Bière de Garde. Snag a taste before they’re gone.

Pathlight Brewing —11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, Kansas — just dropped Moo-La, a milk stout clocking in at 5% ABV. This light, delicious stout is the perfect, full-bodied drink for the summer. This beer was brewed with chocolate malts and lactose.

Beer Events

Thursday, May 6

Casual Animal Brewing Co. — 1725 McGee St., Kansas City, Missouri — is hosting the Dead Beet Eats food truck this Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. Dead Beet Eats is known for delicious vegan offerings.

Friday, May 7

Lost Evenings Brewing Co. — 8625 Hauser Court, Lenexa, Kansas — will be hosting the musical duo Alisa and Scot this Friday at 6 p.m. Be sure to stock up on your favorite cover songs, because they’re playing covers.

East Forty Brewing —1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Missouri — is hosting Jake Reno’s sweet, bluesy sounds live on the patio this Friday, starting at 7 p.m.

Head over to Apex Aleworks — 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri — this Friday at 9 p.m. for some dueling pianos featuring Big Fun Pianos.

Outfield Beer Co. — 10953 Kaw Drive, Edwardsville, Kansas — is hosting a Star Wars and Mandalorian Trivia Night starting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 8

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — will have the Buddha Belly Chef on deck this Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. Enjoy Bulgogi and Thai Basil wings, a classic smashburger, and a delicious beer. Top everything off with some delicious, beer-infused nachos!

Joker B’s BBQ will be posted up at Wind Shift Brewing — 3421B N.W. Jefferson St., Blue Springs, Missouri —this Saturday starting at noon.

Limitless Brewing — 9765 Widmer Road, Lenexa, Kansas — is hosting live music this Saturday at 7 p.m. The Kyle Sexton Trio will be performing classic rock, blues and country music. They’re also playing original music.

Sunday, May 9

Celebrate Mother’s Day brunch at Red Crow Brewing Co. — 1062 W. Santa Fe St., Olathe, Kansas — this Sunday at 10 a.m. The Casual Foodie food truck will be slinging your favorite American style fare.