Tap List | Pancakes, Oysters, and Letting the Crow Fly
Boulevard's Requiem For A Pancake is a very different spin on breakfast. (Pete Dulin I Flatland)
Published February 28th, 2017 at 6:00 AM
Flight Path
Red Crow Brewing Company began shipping its first kegs for distribution to area bars last week. The brewery is shipping kegs of its Isabelle Belgian Blonde, Louise IPA, and limited quantities of Margaret Old Ale, a winter seasonal, to select bars in Kansas. The beers should be on tap in coming weeks at Jerry’s Bait Shop (Lenexa), Grinders Stonewall (Lenexa), Burg & Barrel (Overland Park), Brickyard (Olathe), Old Shawnee Pizza (Lenexa), Tanners (87th Street), Barley’s (119th Street), and other spots.
Oyster Stout and Cherry Cider
Cinder Block Brewery teamed up with Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar for the second consecutive year to create and release the Emersum Oyster Stout in time for Mardi Gras celebrations. The stout is brewed with six dozen of Jax’s proprietary and wholly sustainable Emersum Oysters, which add a natural minerality and create a rich texture to the beer.
Brewery owner Bryce Schaffter shared notes on changes to the oyster stout brew from last year.
“We updated the base malt to a Scottish Malt from Simpsons Malting called Golden Promise,” said Schaffter. “This year’s [version] has a full-bodied stout flavor leading into some mineral and salty tones with really a nice dark malt taste.”
Cinder Block is also releasing a new year-round Cherry Cider.
“The Cherry Cider is produced from a base of Louisburg Cider that we get fresh, then we ferment and condition the cider,” said Schaffter. “After that it is blended with tart cherries to give it the cherry kick. The Cherry Cider has an effervescent tart apple and cherry flavor that comes across as balanced between the two fruits, enabling them to both showcase their natural flavors.”
Breakfast By The Glass
Maple syrup, rye, bourbon, and oak barrels all played a delicious role in the making of Boulevard Brewing Company’s Requiem for a Pancake. Packaged in 12-ounce bottles, this Imperial Brown Ale will be available to the public at Boulevard Brewing’s Tours & Recreation Center beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, ($12 each, limit four per person).
Last year, Boulevard’s brewers and barrel-wranglers obtained a collection of eight-gallon oak barrels used to age Woodinville Whiskey Co.’s rye and bourbon before taking a turn aging rich, complex maple syrup. Boulevard brewed its boozy Imperial Brown Ale and let it take a nap in these twice-used micro-barrels before this limited-release. For every bottle sold, Boulevard will donate $1 to Guadalupe Centers, Inc.
Ticket Mastery
Don’t delay on buying tickets for upcoming late winter and spring beer events.
The Big Rip Brewing Company hosts its annual Snake Saturday Parade celebration on March 11, beginning at 8 a.m. with Kegs and Pancakes before the parade. Breakfast is $5 and includes pancakes and sausage links. RSVP requested. After the parade, Hawg Jaw BBQ — a new barbecue spot next door to Big Rip at 900 Swift Avenue — will serve barbecue in the event room. Big Rip will have Irish Red Ale and The Priest Mint Chocolate Milk Stout on tap.
The 14th Annual Parkville Microbrew Festival takes place from 1 to 5 p.m., April 29, at English Landing Park. Admission starts 11 a.m. Gates open at 1 p.m. Guests receive a commemorative logo tasting glass, a custom tasting note sheet, and live music. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the gate.
Tickets for Boulevardia, the urban beer, food, and music street festival hosted by the Boulevard Brewing Company, on June 16 and 17, are on sale now.
The 8th Annual Kansas City Nanobrew Festival will be held 2 to 6 p.m., June 24, in Berkley Riverfront Park. Admission includes unlimited tastings from more than 200 unique homebrewed beers, a full-size souvenir glass, food, and entertainment. Tickets are $30.
Red Crow Brewing Company begins distributing their beers this week. (Red Crow Brewing Co.)
This Week
Tuesday, February 28
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Jax Fish House (4814 Roanoke Parkway), where chef de cuisine Theresia Ota will offer three special dish and drink pairings. Nibble on beignets paired with Cinder Block Brewery’s new Cherry Cider, a crawfish boil paired with Cinder Block’s Emersum Oyster Stout, made with the restaurant’s proprietary oysters, and lox bagel paired with Restless Spirits’ Lemon-Lavender Gin Cocktail.
Fat Tuesday fun continues at Bier Station (120 E. Gregory Boulevard) with French Quarter-inspired food and beer specials. Grab a plate of gumbo, a breaded shrimp po’ boy, or muffaletta, wash the goodness down with Bier Station’s Hurricane beer cocktail or an Abita Mardi Gras Bock, and let the good times roll.
Barley’s Kitchen + Tap (16649 Midland Drive, Shawnee) taps a dozen of Firestone Walker’s beers for a tap takeover from 5 to 8 p.m. Highlights include Nitro Merlin Milk Stout, Agrestic, Bretta Weisse, Krieky Bones, Feral One, Vintage Series Bravo Imperial Brown Ale, Helldorado, Twenty Anniversary Blend, and the Kansas draft launch of Luponic Distortion: Rev. No. 005.
Wednesday, March 1
The first rule about Beer Club at Hy-Vee Lee’s Summit (301 NE Rice Road) is…RSVP in store to guarantee a spot for gatherings, such as this visit from Oklahoma City’s Coop Ale Works. From 7 to 8 p.m., brewery representative Laura Heiman will share a history of the brewery, discuss some of the brewery’s offerings, and answer questions.
Thursday, March 2
Support Camp Wildwood’s outdoor education for low-income children through a fundraiser at Bier Station, featuring Martin City Brewing Company’s Belgian Blond, Hard Way IPA, Highwayman, and Abbey Ale on tap. All proceeds from sales of Belgian Blond and Hard Way IPA, plus a percentage of all draft sales that day go to Camp Wildwood.
KC Girl’s Pint Out and ZZ Hops host a 4th Annual Girl Scout Cookie Pairing (127 W 10th Street). Craft beer from ZZ Hops homebrewers will be paired with irresistible cookies. Participants will sample up to three brews per cookie with eight cookie flavors in all. The $25 ticket includes a taster glass, 16 cookies (two each of eight flavors), up to 22 samples of ZZ Hops’ best beers, a raffle ticket, and light snacks.
Leavenworth Downtown businesses host the March Alive After 5 Beer Festival (416 Cherokee Street, Leavenworth) from 5 to 8 p.m. $20 tickets for first-time participants; $15 for returning participants. Tickets available at 416 Cherokee or online.
Friday, March 3
The Burger Stand (803 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas) hosts a Draws For Paws Craft Beer Mixer from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Burger Stand Beer Hall. Martin City Brewing Company brand ambassador Robb Richmiller will offer swag and special beers on tap. A percentage of proceeds from sales of MCBC’s Big Boy Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout will be donated to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Saturday, March 4
Fringe Beerworks (224 SE Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit) will demonstrate its brewing process from noon to 4 p.m. as part of Downtown Lee’s Summit Spring Open House Series.
Velo Garage and Tap House (1403 Swift Avenue, North Kansas City) officially opens. First launched as VeloWagon, the mobile bike repair and taproom gets a permanent home in Northtown. Visit the repair shop, try one of ten beers on tap or choose from the bottle and can selection, meet the owners, try Dez Nuts, play shuffleboard, and score swag from Velo Garage and Swift Optics.
The Fourth Annual Kansas Craft Brewers Exposition at Abe & Jake’s Landing (8 E 6th Street, Lawrence) is split into two sessions from noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests (age 21+) may sample scores of regional beers and meet area brewers. Food, music, T-shirts, glassware, and informational and educational displays available.
Monday, March 6
Martin City Brewing Company (500 E 135th Street) releases Banging The Enemy Red IPA. Available in six-packs in liquor stores and on draft around town starting March 6, Banging the Enemy is a robust IPA suitable for March Madness and spring sipping.
— 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.