Tap List | Pancakes, Oysters, and Letting the Crow Fly

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.

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— 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.