Tap List | KC Bier Co. Has Big Expansion Planned Seeks Second Location in Lenexa

KC Bier Co. has developed a reputation in the region for brewing and serving authentic German beers. The brewery has steadily and strategically expanded distribution as it has grown.

Now, the Waldo brewery has announced big plans to expand operations.

KC Bier is looking to build a second location in Lenexa that will be nearly 15,000 square feet in Vista Village near 98th Street and Ridgeview Road in Lenexa. The outdoor space that will be part of the brewery was originally meant to be for an amphitheater that didn’t end up working out. The new location will be modeled after an authentic German-style Bier Haus.

The two-story building will include a restaurant, an outdoor area with a stage for live performances and a dog park. KC Bier also plans to build another building that’ll be used exclusively for brewing to supply the restaurant as well as expand distribution into new markets.

The plans are currently awaiting consideration by the Lenexa Planning Commission. 

Beer Releases

Vine Street Brewing — 2010 Vine St., Kansas City, Missouri — teamed up with the Kansas City Public Library to mark its 150th anniversary with a special beer. Now on tap is One For The Books, a vanilla Kentucky Common. The 5.7% ale was brewed with an added layer of vanilla to enhance the flavor. Much like a good book that keeps you wanting to turn the page, this brew will have you wanting sip after sip.

BKS Artisan Ales — 633 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri — has a hoppy new brew available. Making its debut is Westland, a 7% New Zealand IPA. The beer was dry-hopped with three different variations of Nelson Sauvin. It’s got the old fashioned Nelson hops, Nelson Sauvin hop kief, and Nelson Sauvin Cryo. Strata and Mosaic hops were also used in this new beer.

River Bluff Brewing — 201 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri — brewed a brand new Kansas City exclusive beer. Named after the historically Hispanic neighborhood, Westside Stout is their new 6% Mexican hot chocolate milk stout. Brewed with 15 pounds of spiced Mexican chocolate, you’ll get lots of cinnamon and chocolate up front followed by roasty finish.

Strange Days Brewing — 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri — released a new sour ale called Handful of Berries this week. Brewed with just wheat, pilsner malt and blackberry puree, the recipe for this beer is simple yet flavorful and delicious. You’ll get flavors akin to blackberry jam before a tart, dry finish that won’t feel like you’re sucking on a lemon. It’s got an ABV of 5.8%.

Apex Aleworks — 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri — released a new beer this week that you’ll definitely want to try if you’re a fan of cookies. New to their lineup is Drunken Oatmeal Cookie. The brown ale is brewed with oats with a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to bring out the flavors of the popular cookie. It comes in at 6.5% and pairs beautifully with the treat it was named after.

Crane Brewing Co. — 6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri — teamed up with Vine Street last year to collaborate on a beer called Friendsgiving. This year it’s back but bigger and better than before. They took the 2022 version and aged it in apple brandy barrels. The barrel aging provides a fruitier, boozier and vanilla-forward complexity to the 10.5% barleywine. 

Discourse Brewing — 7211 W. 97th St., Overland Park, Kansas — had a double release this week. The first is a new version of their Java Abyss stout. It’s an 8.4% milk stout with Costa Rican coffee beans that’s plenty chocolatey and roasty. The second is a West Coast IPA called Tuckered By Disco. It was dry-hopped with Simcoe, Chinook and Citra and comes in at 6.6%.

Beer Events

Saturday, Nov. 18

Limitless Brewing — 9500 Dice Lane, Lenexa, Kansas — is throwing a party to celebrate five years in business. Five years means the release of five new beers. They’ll also be having live music in the taproom from 6-9 p.m. courtesy of Shakedown Strings. The on-site food truck for the party will be Bay Boys Sandwiches serving up their creations on their delicious Dutch Crunch bread.

Servaes Brewing Co. — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — has a different kind of release party this week. Normally they release four or five new themed beers. This Saturday is all about their Apple Fest featuring seven different guest ciders. They’ll also have one apple-themed guest beer. If that isn’t delicious enough, there will be a free caramel apple bar with apple slices and toppings while supplies last. Relativity Cooking will also be there serving food from noon until 4 p.m.

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — has a sweaty but fun morning planned for you. They’ve partnered with Wellness Warehouse for a Burpees & Brews event. The 45-minute workout will take place out on the patio. Tickets cost $15 and include a free beer. Please make sure to bring your own mat and water bottle.

Sunday, Nov. 19

KC Bier Co. — 310 W. 79th St., Kansas City, Missouri — has another Hatha yoga session on tap. The hour-long class is breath-based to help you tune into your body with intentional movement. After the class you’ll be able to get a free beer while hanging out with your fellow yogis.

Big Rip Brewing Co. — 216 E. 9th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — wants all of your new or gently used coats! They’re working with Metro Lutheran Ministry, which provides assistance to 1,000 low-income and homeless families. While the coat drive is primarily for kids, they’re happy to accept coats for adults as well. They are hoping to help upwards of 2,000 families, so the more coats they can get, the better. Donations are currently being accepted and will be through Nov. 19. You’ll get $1 off your beer when you donate a coat.

Alex Andujar is a former beer sales rep turned personal trainer. When he’s not training clients you can find him trying new beers at many of Kansas City’s great local breweries.