Grab the cooler and warm up your bottle opener -- it's American Craft Beer Week. The celebration of domestic microbrews begins today and goes until Sunday. And when it comes to craft beer, the discussion in Kansas City begins with Boulevard.
"It's an interesting time to be in the beer business. On one hand, global consolidation continues to create fewer and ever-larger international mega-breweries," says Boulevard founder John McDonald. "On the other hand, more and more people are turned off by such trends and are seeking a personal connection to authentic, flavorful, locally owned and locally made products."
So, whether you're drinking at home or on the town, Fat City has you covered.
Out and About
75th Street Brewery has a Brewmaster Dinner ($45) Tuesday at 7 p.m. and taps its 2009 Last Rites Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Stout on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Waldo Pizza hosts a vertical tasting of Schlafly's oak-aged Barleywine. If you buy a glass of the 2009 vintage, you'll get a sample of brews from the three previous years. The event starts at 6 p.m.
McCoy's Public House has its Ursa Major Imperial Stout, Peach Wheat, Hefeweizen and Winterberry (2009 Winter Warmer blended with the oak-aged Blackberry Lager) on tap.
Boulevard will give tour participants a special gift and ask them to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence.
The capper on craft beer week is the 4th annual KC Beerfest in Westport on Saturday, with more than 200 beers vying to fill your 3 oz. sample glass, including Great Divide, Free State and Dieu Du Ciel. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the event.
At Home
Pick up a six-pack of O'Fallon's Smoked Porter -- it's got a light nose of smoke, but a rich, chocolate malt taste. This is a great beer to enjoy during and after a night of grilling.
Schlafly's Summer Lager is now available in cans and at Gomer's Midtown, according to Show-Me Beer. The Helles-style lager is yellow in color with a mild bite of hops -- the quintessential summer beer.
Samuel Adams Summer Ale is a beer that I was required to drink when I lived in Boston. But I still drink it today, even though it's no longer compulsory. A wheat beer with a peppery, citrus flavor thanks to lemon zest -- try it with a plate of hummus and pita.
Boulevard's fundraising effort for the commissioning of the USS Missouri continues -- $1 is donated for every barrel sold in the state of Missouri through the end of July. Commemorative 12-packs of Boulevard Pilsner featuring an image of the USS Missouri are available now.
Free State Brewing Co. notes that cases of Ad Astra Ale will be hitting store shelves in Lawrence soon.
Home page image of Boulevard beer in barrels via the Pitch's Flick Pool: Brad Trump Photography
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Sadly, by Tuesday night McCoy's was out of the Berry Lager. I had some Scotch Whisky Ale instead that was a wonderful choice. It did indeed have the smooth taste of aged Scotch to tame the hops and yeast of the beer. It was perfect in combination with the rich taste of the Mac Daddy.
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