Story by Dave Eckert
An estimated 650,000 visitors are expected to attend World Cup matches here in Kansas City. That’s not just a lot of people, it’s a lot of hungry and thirsty people. I’ve talked about KC’s excellent craft beer scene here in the past. In light of the mass visitation underway, I thought it would be good to revisit that scene for some recommendations of which of our city’s craft beer creations our futbal fanatic tourists should try. For those insights, I reached out to friends, brewers, brewery owners, and local beer experts.
First up is Bryan “Bucky” Buckingham, Head Brewer at 3 Halves Brewpub & BBQ, across town from me, just off the Square in Liberty. Buckingham said two of his personal favorites are 3 Halves’ Peligrosa, a Mexican lager that is a classic crisp refreshing lager, and their Wheelhouse IPA, a west coast-style IPA loaded with notes of citrus, especially grapefruit, that finishes with a dank crisp resinous flavor.
Photo courtesy of Barley & Vine
From another Northland brewery come thoughts from Billy Campbell, Head Brewer at Platte City’s Barley & Vine. “After talking with other brewers and people in the industry, it feels like something big is coming,” Campbell shared.
Cambell didn’t have any specifics at the time of me writing this article, but he says you should keep an eye out for some special brews throughout the metro. “There are some multi-brewery collabs that are still under wraps. I expect a lot of creative team or country-inspired beers. That kind of crossover could be a lot of fun!” Campbell said excitedly. To follow World Cup-inspired happenings and at Barley & Vine, go to barleyvinepc.com.
Photo courtesy of Diametric Brewry
Next, a craft brewery I’ve enjoyed for many years, KC Bier Co where I spoke to founder, Steve Holle. Holle told me that KC Bier Co is not making a special beer for the World Cup matches and then explained why. “As a brewer of authentic European or World beer styles, we think that our core brands will be familiar to most visitors, especially Helles Lager (Munich-style Golden Lager) or Let’s Go Lager (Light German-style Pilsner). We hope that these visitors will simply be looking for a natural and traditionally brewed lager and seek out KC Bier Co,” Holle stated.
I also checked in with Chris Meyers, the co-founder of the much-beloved Crane Brewing. Although Crane was sold and is now closed, Meyers stays very much in touch with the local craft beer scene. “Enjoying soccer in the summer means wanting some beers that are light and keep us cool sitting in the sunshine. Beers that complement the game, but don’t steal the show,” Meyers weighed in-offering these examples.
Photo courtesy of Noiseyland
- Patio-Chair Pilsner (4.7%) – Diametric Brewing – Light and Crisp Lager that is still loaded with great hop character.
- Kölsch (4.8%) – KC Bier – More malt forward, but still clean, dry with balance bitterness.
- Yard Sale Pale Ale (4.3%) – Stockyards Brewing – Nice session ale with more fruity hop profile.
- Bogeytime (4.5%) – Alma Mader Brewing – An iced tea / lemonade lager. Can’t get much more quenching that that!
A final local rec is from Strange Days Brewing, the less than low-key defacto “soccer brewery” of KC. Noiseyland – (5.2%). A NZ-style dry-hopped Pils for the hop lovers!
We have too many great breweries to name them all, but we should be proud that they represent Kansas City in the brewing industry and for visiting soccer fans!” Meyers exclaimed.
Finally, some local beer picks and descriptions by good friend Jake Barnett, Director of Business Development for Big Thirst, an online sales and marketing partner for beverage brands.
3 Halves Brewpub & BBQ
Paper Bag Thin by Vine Street Brewing Co.
This is my favorite local beer the last couple summers. It’s a crushable, light, Mexican-style lager. Bonus: Vine Street’s patio is hard to beat for drinking beer in the summer.
Pub Dweller ESB by Border Brewing Company
This is an older favorite from Border Brewing in Crossroads that is returning just in time for the World Cup. It’s a classic “Extra Special Bitter”, the malty English pub mainstay. This time around, they’re brewing it with a water profile tailored to one found in London, in honor of our soccer guests.
Hank American Lager by Alma Mader Brewing & Hank’s Garage and Grill
This is a classic American lager in the vein of Hamm’s or Schlitz. It is straightforward “Beer Beer” in the best way. It reminds me of the products in the movie, “Repo Man”, where everything is in a plain white container with blue lettering. This would be in the can that says, “beer”.
Any Fruited Sour by Discourse Brewing
If you like variety, Discourse is your brewery. Their tap list is constantly rotating, with a fantastic selection of IPAs, stouts, and my favorite – fruited sours. Different releases have featured blueberry, mango, passionfruit, and many more variations.
And, there you have it, whether it’s collabs crafting something special and new or local favorites already on tap, visitors will have plenty of KC craft brews from which to choose, and that means we will, too. Cheers!
