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Rating: 3.75
Location: Kansas City, MO
Founded: 1989
Last visited: July 2023
Multi-story complex, including a gift shop, massive beer hall, and terrific outdoor patio. The beer hall setting is full of picnic tables. The space is kid-friendly. The food menu is a nice collection of things like tacos and shareables. There were 28 beers on tap, including a second bar serving experimental beers.
We took the Smokestack Tour, which we strongly recommend. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and highly passionate about beer.
BEER:
Black Peppercorn Foeder Saison Ale with Brett (4.00) – Golden color. Foeder aging adds complexity to this beer. Peppercorn rises to the surface. Hop bitterness sits in background.
Czech Pale Lager (4.25) – Light, straw yellow color. Very light-bodied, highly drinkable. Nice little bite of hop bitterness. Malty character in harmony with hoppiness. Served with a traditional side pour tap.
Jokers Wit Witbier (2.75) – Too much body to be proper Witbier, which is very light-bodied. Spicy character from peppercorns is objectionable and does not belong in a Witbier.
Pale Ale (3.75) – Light amber appearance. Bitterness evident on first sip, but lingers only slightly. Caramel malt is there, but a nice balance exists in the flavor profile.
Rye on Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Ale (4.50) – Rye beer aged in rye whiskey barrels. Super sweet and malty. Definitely boozy at 12% ABV .
Southwest Blvd Lager with Lime & Salt (3.00) – Sampled at Kauffman Stadium at a baseball game. Very light-bodied, an obvious appeal to consumers of commodity lagers. Lime aspects excessive.
Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale (4.00) – Golden appearance. Citrus and clove notes apparent. Bitter aspects tie things together.