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The Lenexa Public Market is hoping the Kansas Legislature will amend state law to allow for an outdoor area where alcohol could be consumed. (Courtesy of Lenexa Public Market)
Published May 23rd, 2017 at 6:00 AM
A bill that could allow diners and bar patrons to drink outside in Kansas appears to be gaining momentum in the state legislature. HB2277, a bill that allow Kansas cities and counties to establish outside drinking areas, recently passed a Kansas Senate committee. If passed into law, municipalities could designate permanent zones, such as a bar district or plaza, where alcohol could be consumed if contained in a specially-marked container. Currently in Kansas, only festivals and events may operate in a temporary zone under a three-day permit.
“I imagine this would benefit breweries most that reside in a downtown or plaza area,” said Chris Meyers, co-founder of Crane Brewing Company, said.
A representative of the City of Lenexa introduced the bill to the House Committee on Local Government. Proponents, such as the Lenexa Public Market, seek to establish “a common consumption area,” for outdoor drinking that would be allowed with passage of the bill.
“I would be excited to hear that places like Lenexa Public Market will have an open air outdoor area to stroll and drink,” said Matthew Moore, co-founder and director of operations at Martin City Brewing Company. Moore is a partner in Lenexa Locale — a bar that was slated to offer local beer, wine, and cocktails in the Lenexa food hall. Carmen Chopp, the manager of the Lenexa Public Market, reached out to Flatland to explain that Moore decided not to pursue the concept in the food hall.
Several local breweries that conduct business in Kansas also commented on the bill.
“We favor responsible legislation that helps both us and other similar businesses with similar regulations to grow in any facet of our operations,” said Chris Roberts, co-founder of Red Crow Brewing Company, said. “If passed, HB 2277 would help our business and eliminate misunderstandings by our customers as to the legal restrictions we are under in providing a beautiful outdoor space for them to enjoy while visiting our brewery.”
“We support laws that increase access to the purchase of our beer by responsible adults of legal drinking age,” Jeff Gill, founder of Tallgrass Brewing Company, added. “So many laws on the books, not just in Kansas but many states, are just echoes of Prohibition-era thinking.”
Kansas City Bier Company founder Steve Holle suggested that the demonization of all drinking during Prohibition and afterward impacted the historically communal aspect of alcohol consumption.
“Communal meeting places like taverns and biergartens, where friends, neighbors, and families could gather in open public spaces, disappeared,” Holle said. “Measures like this law that contribute to the creation of more public gathering spaces will make our cities more livable.”
The future home of BKS Artisan Ales in Brookside. (Photo: Jonathan Bender I Flatland)
Callsign Brewing Launches Kickstarter
Callsign Brewing launched a Kickstarter fundraiser campaign that ends Tuesday, June 13. With $20,000 as its goal, Callsign Brewing founder Steve Sirois will use funds to underwrite the launch of a seven-barrel brewery/tap room in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Construction Continues at BKS Artisan Ales
BKS Artisan Ales is near completion on its tasting room and walk-in cooler. Owners Brian and Mary Rooney plan to have up to 12 taps on its tap wall. They also purchased a can seamer that will enable them to produce canned beer.
Grinders High Noon (206 Choctaw Street, Leavenworth, Kansas) tapped a limited-release Imperial Stout (10-percent ABV) that is naturally carbonated. Only three-and-a-half barrels were produced.
Martin City Brewing Company’s Purple Train, a Berliner-style weiss with blueberries and lemons, is now available in cans.
Red Crow Brewing Company (20561 S Lone Elm Road, Spring Hill, Kansas) has released Loretta, a Kansas lager.
Tuesday, May 23
The Foundry (424 Westport Road) hosts Firestone Walker barrelmaster Jeffers Richardson for a sensory trip on wild beer acidity with Firestone Walker Feral One, Lil Opal, and Bretta Rose. ($25 includes beer and snacks, limited seating). Afterward, stay for a special tapping of Firestone Walker XX Anniversary and Parabola (additional charges apply).
Wednesday, May 24
A hazy Session New England IPA with tropical fruit notes is the latest release from Border Brewing Company (406 E 18th Street) as part of its “We Brew for You,” series, where patrons vote on the next beer style to be brewed.
Grains & Taps (10 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, Missouri) hosts a tap takeover with eight to 10 beer styles from Crane Brewing Company. Junipucker, a tart saison brewed with juniper berries by a group of ZZ Hops homebrewers and scaled up by Crane, will be on tap.
Long Time Comin’ will be showcased at Torn Label Brewing Company this week. (Courtesy of Torn Label)
Thursday, May 25
The Kansas City beer community will pay tribute to the late John Bryan, beginning at 4 p.m. at Bier Station at Bier Station (120 E Gregory Boulevard). The night, which includes a toast at 6 p.m., features a complete tap takeover by Firestone Walker and Boulevard Brewing Company. All proceeds from four kegs will be donated to the Bryan family’s charity of choice: Cornerstones of Care. Cash donations for his children’s college fund also will be accepted.
Fringe Beer Works (224 SE Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit, Missouri) hosts a Rock Bridge Brewing Company tap takeover from 6 to 8 p.m. that includes a firkin tapping of Option #2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
It’s a shandy party at Boulevard Brewing’s Beer Hall (2534 Madison Avenue, open until 9 p.m. tonight) with special guests The Sundry. From 4 to 8 p.m., The Sundry will offer two shandies (14-oz. pours, $6): Lemon Cardamom and American Kolsch, and Basil Mint Ginger Ale and Heavy Lifting IPA.
Homebrewing group Missouri Mashers will discuss experimental hops at its monthly meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Big Rip Brewing Company (216 E 9th Avenue, North Kansas City). The group will evaluate six American Pale Ales, each brewed with a different Yakima Valley hop, and gather feedback for Yakima Valley hop farmers.
The Peanut (12663 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas) hosts a Martin City Brewing Company Happy Hour from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring Sideway, Hard Way IPA, and Banging the Enemy Red IPA.
Pin the beer on a cardboard cutout of Michael Crane, play fun bar games with the actual Michael Crane, co-founder of Crane Brewing Company, and drink Crane’s beers on tap, 6 to 9 p.m., at Colony KC (312 Armour Road, North Kansas City).
Friday, May 26
Burg & Barrel (7042 W 76th Street, Overland Park, Kansas) welcomes Bear Republic Brewing Company for a tap takeover with Red Rocket Ale, Racer 5 IPA, and Tartare Berliner Weisse ready to pour.
Saturday, May 27
At noon, Torn Label Brewing Company (1708 Campbell Street) will host a release party at its taproom for limited 22-oz. bottle quantities of its seven barrel-aged variants of Long Time Comin’ Imperial Stout. The Tom’s Town’s portion of Barrel-Aged Long Time Comin’ will be available on draft as well as in bottles.
Sunday, May 28
The Kansas City Symphony performs its 15th annual concert at Celebration at the Station (Union Station, 30 W Pershing Road). Kansas City Bier Company will pour dunkel, helles, and hefeweizen in the VIP lounge. Event begins at 3 p.m. Concert starts at 8 p.m.
— Pete Dulin writes about food trends for Flatland and is the author of the “KC Ale Trail.” Follow @FlatlandKC and #TapList on Twitter for more food news and trends.
Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that Matt Moore is no longer planning on opening the Lenexa Locale concept in the Lenexa Public Market.
