Tap List | Last Call For Oktoberfest One More Prost!

Oktoberfest events have all but come to an end. But in case you need one last fix, you can attend City Barrel’s Hoptoberfest this Friday and Saturday.

Despite what the name may imply, there will be an equal amount of IPAs and Oktoberfest style beers. City Barrel plans to release a host of new beers throughout the two-day event. In addition to their own beers, City Barrel will be adding guest taps. Toppling Goliath, 4 Hands, Maplewood, and Ska Brewing will all have two beers on tap – one IPA and one German-style beer. For an extra charge you can get your beer served in an authentic German boot.

In sticking with the theme of the event, City Barrel will be offering up a couple of German bites that pair perfectly with your beers. They’ll be serving up authentic Bavarian-style pretzels with a creamy cheese dipping sauce and Broadway Butcher City Barrel brats with kraut. Their full menu will also be available if you want something a bit more substantial. 

City Barrel will be playing traditional Bavarian music throughout the event. You’re encouraged to wear your best German outfit as there will be a costume contest. Best dressed individual will win a $50 City Barrel gift card and the best dressed couple will win a $100 City Barrel gift card. Hoptoberfest will be free to attend but reservations are recommended to reserve a table. 

Beer Releases

BKS Artisan Ales — 633 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri — participated in the Kokua Project, a nationwide effort to brew a beer to help raise funds for the wildfires on Maui. Started by Maui Brewing Co., the beer is a session IPA that’s clean, crisp, dry and flavorful. Even though the beer is just 4.25% ABV, you’ll still get lots of hop character. Proceeds from the beer will be donated to the Maui Brewing Co. Fire Fund.

River Bluff Brewing — 201 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri — worked with Willicott Brewing out of Holston, Kansas, on a new brew. The two collaborated on Dust In The Wind, a 7.5% Belgian ale made with all Kansas ingredients. Malt was sourced from Kansas Malt Co. while hops were acquired from Porter Valley Hops. The beer was wet hopped (freshly picked hops often used within 24 hours) for the spicy herbal hop notes.

Red Sash Brewing Co. — 406 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri — has the latest version of their Death Blossom Juicy IPA series available. Version 13 utilizes Bravo, Cashmere and Cardinal hops. The three help give the beer flavors of orange, pineapple and lime. This one has a slightly elevated ABV of 7.6%.

Crane Brewing Co. — 6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri — partnered with local coffee company Blip for a fall-themed brew. They created Naturom Demento, a 7.2% coffee brown ale with pumpkin, pumpkin spice and vanilla. On the nose you’ll get notes of coffee leading to flavors of vanilla and pumpkin spice.

Rockcreek Brewing Co. — 5880 Beverly Ave., Mission, Kansas — released their 2023 wet hop beer over the weekend. This year’s beer is a 5.8% cold IPA called Dreaming in Green using fresh Cascade hops from Kansas Hop Co. It was fermented at lager temps to help give it that clean, crisp finish associated with lagers. You’ll also get hints of citrus along with balanced bitterness.

Friction Beer Co. — 11018 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — has a new dark beer in time for the cooler fall weather. Now on tap is Strange As Angels, a 5.6% coffee milk stout. The body has a smooth, roasty base with a creamy mouthfeel. From the nose to the finish, coffee is ever present along with a slight sweetness.

Pathlight Brewing — 11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, Kansas — collaborated with Leawood’s Rye restaurant for a new beer. Seigel, the French word for rye, is a 6.7% rye saison. It uses classic ingredients such as Belgian candi sugar to give the beer sweetness up front before leading into the well known spiciness that saisons typically have.

Discourse Brewing — 7211 W. 97th St., Overland Park, KS — may be the new kids in town, but they’re pumping out new brews. Their latest release is Hazy People Pleaser. As the name suggests, it’s a hazy pale ale and comes in at 5.8%. It was dry-hopped with Mosaic and Azacca hops, which help give the beer flavors of melon and citrus.  

Beer Events

Saturday, Oct. 14

Diametric Brewing Co. — 949 N.E. Columbus, Lee’s Summit, Missouri — is throwing a party for the release of Kokua, a session IPA designed to help raise funds for those affected by the Maui wildfires. They’ll also be serving up 50 platters of Hawaiian fare. The platter will consist of spam musabi, huli huli chicken wings, pork belly pineapple tacos, mac salad and a surprise dessert. Plates will be first come, first serve with a portion of the proceeds also going to the Kokua Project.

Servaes Brewing Co. — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — is getting in touch with fall with one of their most popular yearly events. They’re celebrating all things pumpkin with their Great Pumpkin Day. Customers will be treated to four pumpkin-themed beers from Servaes plus two pumpkin beers on their guest taps. Point & Flat BBQ will be on site serving lunch from 12-4 p.m. or whenever they sell out. Top off your day with some tasty pumpkin treats by Served By Carmella.

Brew Lab — 7925 Marty St., Overland Park, KS — has a special celebration happening. Overland Park’s first brewery is throwing a 10th anniversary party that kicks off at 2 p.m. The event will feature discounted beers from Brew Lab plus the release of two brand new beers. You can enjoy live music starting at 2:30np.m. as well as $5 street taco plates and lawn games. The party goes until 11 p.m. so you’ve got plenty of time to pop in to help them celebrate.

Limitless Brewing — 9500 Dice Lane, Lenexa, Kansas — is hosting their fifth annual BBQ competition. Teams will go head to head to see who has the ultimate grilling/smoking skills. No matter who comes out on top, everyone will gather to feast on pulled pork starting at 6 p.m. All proceeds from the dinner will be donated to Johnson County Mental Health.

Brew at the Zoo — 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri — is back for another year of sampling brews among the animals. This year’s event will feature more than 35 breweries and wineries as well as multiple food trucks. Every Brew at the Zoo event chooses an animal that will benefit from the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Fund. This year’s spotlight will be on the endangered Bornean orangutan. Your ticket will also include access to GloWild, the lantern festival put on by the zoo. 

Sunday, Oct. 15

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — has a fun-filled day planned for you with their family-friendly Fall Cider Fest. On the booze side, Cinder Block will have six experimental ciders available. Drinkers can then vote on their favorite with the winning cider becoming Cinder Block’s next seasonal. You’ll also be entered to win two cases of their fresh pressed cider when you vote. Cheesesteaks will be available from Dan’s Steaks and cider donuts made in collaboration with Donut King. The event will feature all sorts of fall activities such as live music from 3-6 p.m., a s’mores station, pumpkin painting, apple press, photo booth and more. 

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.