Tap List | Taking a Trip on the Johnson County Ale Trail

In the age of COVID-19, many beer lovers have taken it upon themselves to rediscover nature.

After all, if we’re supposed to social distance, why not go all the way by taking a brisk hike through the Baker Wetlands in Kansas, or taking a bike ride through the Swope Mountain Bike Trail in Missouri. No matter how you slice it, nothing builds an appetite for delicious beer like being in the outdoors. 

If you’re looking for a boozy trail, one that doesn’t necessarily involve walking or bike riding, take the Johnson County Ale Trail! The ale trail was first conceived by Lost Evenings Brewing Co. in order to highlight the incredible beer scene in Johnson County. The trail includes nine breweries.

The trail begins at Red Crow Brewing Co., 1062 W. Santa Fe in Olathe, and ends at Brew Lab, 7925 Marty St. in Overland Park. Other participating breweries include Pathlight Brewing, Transport Brewery, Servaes Brewing Company, Limitless Brewing, Lost Evenings Brewing Co., Rockcreek Brewing Co. and Sandhills Brewing. 

If you’re wondering which beers to try on the trail, check out the beer selections below.

Beer Releases

Pathlight Brewing, 11200 W. 75th St. in Shawnee, is now selling cans of their latest IPA. Trailridge is a New England IPA clocking in at 7.2% They are also serving up MOO-LA, a milk stout (5.7% ABV) with flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. 

Be sure to snag some Hot Mango at Transport Brewery, 11113 Johnson Drive in Shawnee. Hot Mango is a jalapeño mango margarita radler. There is a limited supply so grab one before it’s gone.

Servaes Brewing Company, 10921 Johnson Drive in Shawnee, is serving up Daiquiri, a low alcohol sour loaded with strawberry flavor. 

While you’re on the trail, grab a Blueberry Wheat (brewed with lemon peel) at Not Lost Brewing, 229 S. Main St. in Ottawa. 

Rockcreek Brewing Co., 5880 Beverly Ave. in Mission Mission, has released Slow Boat (4.6% ABV, 36.3 IBU), a sessionable IPA brewed with Columbus, Citra, Mosaic and Cashmere hops.

Try Paloma Kestrel at Sandhills Brewing, 5612 Johnson Drive in Mission. Paloma Kestrel is a gose-style beer, brewed with sea salt and coriander, fermented in oak with lime and grapefruit. 

Try Crushing the Curve (11% ABV, 30 IBU) at Brew Lab, 7925 Marty St. in Overland Park. Crushing the Curve is a Belgian quadrupel and the perfect beer to round out the Johnson County Ale Trail!

Casual Animal Brewing Co., 1725 McGee St. in Kansas City, Missouri, has Brainy Yak (5.6% ABV), an oatmeal pale ale available on tap!

Alma Mader Brewing, 2635 Southwest Blvd. in Kansas City, has officially released an unfiltered pilsner, Gravel Beach. Inspired by German and Czech beer, this beer marries the two traditions into a single delicious pilsner that is perfect for kickbacks and cookouts.

Strange Days Brewing, 316 Oak St. in Kansas City, has released a pilot batch of Orange You Glad (5.5% ABV), a witbier brewed with lactose and blood orange.

Beer Events

Wednesday, June 22

Are you the next Celine Dion, George Strait or Adam Lambert? If you’ve got chops or just want to hear people singing “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal, then head on over to 3 Trails Brewing Co., 111 N. Main St. in Independence, this Wednesday 7 – 10 p.m. for an Open Mic!

Saturday, June 25

Diametric Brewing Co., 949 N.E. Columbus St. in Lee’s Summit, is celebrating its two-year anniversary with a tailgate party this Saturday 5 – 10 p.m. A limited number of four-person slots are available, and each slot comes with sixteen tickets redeemable for beer and merchandise. So bring your masks, your tailgate goodies, a temperature below 100.4 degrees and get ready to celebrate.

This Saturday from noon – 11 p.m., Double Shift Brewing Co., 412 E. 18th St. in Kansas City, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary with delicious beer and new merch. Pop-up tents and cocktail tables will help ensure social distancing. 

Head over to Limitless Brewing, 9765 Widmer Road in Lenexa,this Saturday from 5:30 – 8 p.m. for the best tater tots in all the land. The Twisted Taters food truck will be serving up gourmet, fried potato goodness!

Sunday, June 26

This Sunday from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Red Crow Brewing Co., 1062 W. Santa Fe in Olathe, is hosting Sunday Bingo. Masks are required upon entry. To better ensure social distancing, call in advance to make reservations!