Tap List | KC Bier Prepares to ‘Prost in Place’ for Oktoberfest

With social distancing guidelines still in place, a constant flurry of openings and reopenings and mask wearing at an all-time high, the COVID-19 pandemic is anything but a thing in the past.

The upcoming month of October will be particularly brutal for beer lovers. Why? Because Oktoberfest, which is perhaps the biggest beer festival of all, has been canceled. Bavaria’s Minister-President and the Mayor of Munich announced back in April that the festival, which is more than 200 years old, would not be happening this year.

Major. Bummer.

Not to get too philosophical, but what exactly is Oktoberfest? Is it about the same exact people meeting up every year to drink beer? This can’t be true, because Oktoberfest has outlived many of our ancestors, and will likely outlive us also. Is Oktoberfest about a particular stretch of land overseas where people congregate to celebrate the deliciousness of ale? This can’t be it either, because people all over the world celebrate Oktoberfest. I’m inclined to believe that Oktoberfest is more than all of this, that Oktoberfest isn’t just about marking the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. 

I believe that Oktoberfest is a celebration of life, whether we’re at home with family or hanging out with friends eating a giant pretzel. Thankfully, our friends at KC Bier Co. — 310 W 79th St., Kansas City, Missouri — have prepared for just such a celebration.

KC Bier is offering “Prost in Place” kits, which are now available online. The kits include one 24- bottle case of Festbier (5.5% ABV, 25 IBU), a Vienna-style lager brewed with Vienna and Pilsner malts, and Perle and Hallertau hops. The kit also includes four half-liter Oktoberfest mugs, and a 16-ounce giant Bavarian pretzel with sweet and spicy mustards!

Wunderbar!

Beer Releases

Pathlight Brewing — 11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, Kansas — has released B61, a hazy pale ale clocking in at 6.1% ABV brewed with Simcoe. This single hop brew is loaded with fruit flavor.

Calibration Brewery — 119 Armour Road, North Kansas City, Missouri — has released Abracadabra Sour Ale (6.8% ABV, 23 IBU), which has notes of malt and mango.

3Halves Brewing Co. — 110 E. Kansas St., Liberty, Missouri — recently released Billy Strange, an American IPA clocking in at 7.6% ABV. The brewery has dubbed this beer “an IPA for IPA drinkers.” Brewed with Cascade, Citra, Centennial and Azacca hops, this IPA is sure to please. Be sure to grab some BBQ while you’re there!

Alma Mader Brewing — 2635 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri — is showcasing a Juicy Pale Ale called Optional Route (5.6% ABV) brewed with Citra and Strata hops. 

East Forty Brewing — 1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Missouri — re-released Cherry Springer with Pineapple, a fruity Berliner weisse clocking in at a crushable 4.2% ABV. This weisse brew is infused with cherry and pineapple.

Fringe Beerworks — 224 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri —has done it again. Carney’s Chicha (3.7% ABV) is a maize-fermented beverage that originated in Latin America. This Chicha, which is on short supply, in particular is made with purple maize, pineapple and strawberry.

Sandhills Brewing — 5612 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kansas — has two new peach beers. They’ve released Peach Wheat, an American wheat beer brewed with peaches, and Peach Warbler, a Brett IPA which was also brewed with peaches. 

As part of their CraneCares Initiative, Crane Brewing Co. — 6515 Railroad St., Raytown,  Missouri — released Ocean Drive-In, a cherry limeade gose brewed with cherries and limes. Proceeds from this beer will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City.

Corvino Pivo has officially returned to Torn Label Brewing Co. — 1708 Campbell St., Kansas City, Missouri. This pilsner clocks in at 5.2% ABV and harkens to classic pilsner beers. 

Beer Events

Friday, Sept. 18

If you’re looking for some solid beer for week two of football, then head over to Border Brewing Co. — 406 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri — and get your growlers filled for 40% off the regular price! 

Saturday, Sept. 19

Apex Aleworks — 4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri — is hosting live music featuring the Kamp Brothers, who will be playing your favorite pop and alternative rock tunes from 7 – 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Limitless Brewing — 9765 Widmer Road, Lenex a, Kansas — is hosting the Back Alley Brass Band, a New Orleans-style brass band from 6 – 8 p.m. on Saturday.

If you’re looking for exceptional vegan street food, head over to Transport Brewery — 11113 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — this Saturday from 2 – 7 p.m. Snag some tacos, hot dogs, cookies and beer while you’re at it!

In collaboration with Green Dirt Farms and Howard’s Grocery, Cafe and Catering, East Forty Brewing — 1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, Missouri — is hosting a virtual pairing with beer, cheese, biscuits and jams. For $90, you get four cheeses, four jams, a package of biscuits, and a four-pack of beer, available for pickup at select locations. The fee also includes a virtual pairing class at 6 p.m. on Saturday.