Explore Kansas Breweries

For those of you who love a good brew, we’ve got some great news! Kansas is home to more than 80 craft breweries, according to the Brewers Association. Together, these small, independent breweries produce more than 35,000 barrels of beer a year or more than 8.6 million pints!

If you have an ardor for ales or want to foster a love of lagers, get to know some of the breweries in Kansas.

Get to Know Your Beer

From servers to brewmasters, the staff at most brewpubs love to talk beer, so ask questions and seek recommendations.

Many breweries offer delightful descriptions of their beers, including details about their origins, fermenting process and flavors. A few standout beer menus include the Tallgrass Tap House in Manhattan, Wichita Brewing Company in Wichita and Free State Brewing Company in Lawrence.

With so many different styles of craft beers, deciding what to order can be dizzying. If you feel like doing some homework ahead of time, check out the interactive tool on craftbeer.com to explore.

If you simply can’t choose one or want to try a few options, order a flight. A flight includes several small glasses of beer and is often served on a wooden board called a beer paddle. Flights might be grouped by type, such as ales, stouts, sours or lagers, or might contain a variety of beers from each of those categories. Flights are typically arranged from the lightest color (and mildest flavor) of beer to the darkest (and boldest).

Learning the Lingo

Craft beers have nuanced flavors and aromas. As with wine tasting, take time to savor each sip and try to describe the sensations.

When talking about the appearance, you might refer to the color, clarity, texture or carbonation. The palate includes the astringency, body, palate carbonation and finish. Each of these categories has a range of descriptors.

When discussing the flavor or aroma, you can get specific about the hops and malt. In addition to the bitterness level of hops or the sweetness level of malt, you might hear some of the following terms to describe the taste.

Hops: Citrus, fruity, floral, herbal, pine, spicy, tropical
Malt: Bready, toast, caramel, coffee, smoky

Rick McNary distilled the following examples for Kansas Living magazine.

“Pilsner beers, for example, are described as clean and crisp while the India Pale Ale (IPA) is hoppy and bitter. Scottish ales are malty and sweet while stouts are dark and roasty. A Belgian lambic might be described as sour, tart and funky while the Belgian witbier is fruity and spicy,” he wrote.

Pairing Beer with Food

Like wine, craft beer can be paired with foods to enrich your dining experience. To guide your selection of suds, follow the general rule of thumb that lighter foods pair well with lighter beers, while more robust foods go better with more flavorful beer.

Not sure where to start? Many menus suggest pairings, or you can check with your server for ideas.

Your best bet is to approach your pairing as a culinary experience. You’re not there to tie one on. Rather, savor the flavors of your beer’s ingredients and fermentation process against those of the food.

If you want to delve deeper, consider taking an online course to learn more about pairing, such as the Beer and Food Course at craftbeer.com.

Hops on Over

Each brewpub offers a unique cultural experience that blends the founder’s passions with local history. You might say they offer a full-bodied experience with brilliant clarity and desirable balance and drinkability.

Ready to start sipping? Explore some of the craft breweries and beer destinations found throughout Kansas.

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