Tap List | Making Magic Magic at Torn Label

Magic Magic, an East Coast-style IPA brewed with raspberry and lemon peel, is one of Torn Label Brewing Company’s (1708 Campbell St.) most popular beers. But Magic Magic’s story is not just about what’s inside the can.

Artist and Torn Label sales representative Thomas Woodward created the artwork that inspired the beer, which displays his art on the label. Although Woodward noted the painting wasn’t designed with the beer in mind.

“This is a painting I completed shortly before my employment at Torn Label,” Woodward said. “I brought the painting to show on a First Friday and left it in [co-owner] Rafi [Chaudry’s] office. Co-owner Travis [Moore] brought the idea forward about me doing an artist series collaboration that could use this particular painting as a label and source for inspiration. We also had quite a few conversations over beer. I said a whole bunch of random stuff, and Travis filtered it into a successful beer.”

Woodward used acrylic paint, spray paint and ink to create the painting. He works with Oddities Printshop to create prints of his artwork.

“The painting overall is about everything,” Woodward said. “The moment in the painting that says ‘Magic Magic’ is about the creative process.”

Magic Magic is part of Torn Label’s Artists Series, where a limited-release beer is crafted in collaboration with a local artist.

This year, Torn Label will release Magic Magic in four-packs of 12-ounce cans at a release party and art show at 4 p.m. at  First Friday, April 6, at the brewery taproom. The beer will be available on draft at the taproom. Greg-Co BBQ food truck will serve its innovative take on KC-style barbecue. Magic Magic will also see limited distribution in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas the following week.

Limited quantities of new Magic Magic one-off glassware and T-shirts will also be for sale. Woodward will have a risograph print edition, a new T-shirt edition that is limited to 50, and framed and embellished prints. All works are variations on the Magic Magic design.

Sandhills Brewing announces the release of its first canned beer. (Contributed | Sand Hills Brewing)

Sandhills Brewing Unleashes the Cans

Sandhills Brewing Company, a new brewery based in Hutchinson, Kansas, is set to release its first canned beers April 28. Since the brewery is located more than three hours from Kansas City, the brewery created an online reservation system for four-packs of its 16-ounce cans to better meet demand. Half of the available inventory for each beer is allotted to online reservation. The other half is reserved for walk-in purchases on April 28.

The brewery’s initial three beers for release are Chickadee, a Berliner Weiss; Sparrow, a Dark Mild; and Barred Owl, a Scottish export. The allotment of Chickadee available through online reservations have already been reserved. Free samples of each beer will be on tap. Availability of growler fills will depend on turn-out and capacity.

Krizz Kaliko (middle) joins Joe Migletz, Sean Householder Devin Glaser, and Mac Lamken for beer from New Axiom Brewing at a KJO Media event. (Contributed | New Axiom Brewing)

New Axiom Brewing Update

Mac Lamken, co-owner of New Axiom Brewing (949 NE Columbus St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri), confirms that New Axiom has obtained all its licenses, and equipment is expected mid- to late April.

The brewery has completed its underground plumbing and is working on its floors and construction of walls. The walk-in cooler is due soon. Meanwhile, the brewery poured beer at an event with KJO Media and local rapper Krizz Kaliko of Strange Music.

Tap List | New Axiom Brewing Coming to Lee’s SummitHomebrewers from 11 Letter Brews and Middle Ground Zymurgy and Tapworx have joined forces to create New Axiom Brewing Company (949 NE Columbus St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri). Head brewers Mac Lamken, Devin Glaser, Sean Householder and Joe Migletz, director of taproom…

Tap Notes

Brewery Emperial (1829 Oak St.) tapped its Pilsener and Porter with house-smoked malt last weekend. Other beers in the works include a Honey Brown Ale made with gambrinus honey malt and honey in the kettle, a special kolsch brewed for the 125th anniversary of U.S. Engineering, a company established in Koln, Germany, and a wheat wine.

“We are fermenting and storing a Dark Wheat made with 100-percent wheat,” head brewer Keith Thompson said. “[It has an] amazing light, or floaty, mouthfeel that neither Sterling [Holman] or I have come across in our collective 48 years of commercial brewing.”

Strange Days Brewing (316 Oak St.) has released Greenwich Line, a coffee milk stout inspired by English soccer and the relevant time zone. The beer was brewed with City Market Coffee.

– 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.