The challenges and adaptations existing craft breweries have gone through during the pandemic provided a roadmap for three breweries planning to open this spring.
Friction Beer Co.
Brent Anderson, founder of Friction Beer Co., isn't concerned with the number of competitors in the metro.
"If we've seen anything, it's definitely a rising tide floats all boats sort of scenario," Anderson said. "We're all different in our own ways."
The new brewery will replace Hartman Hardware in Shawnee, Kansas, a location known as a hub of the community, something Anderson is hoping to continue.
"We wanna make a taproom a place that people just really want to hang out," the owner said.
Beer enthusiasts can expect to be served ales, stouts and hoppy variant beers, but Anderson also wants to "push styles and give you things that you can't get elsewhere that's going to help further put Kansas City on the beer map."
Friction Beer Co. is expected to open in May.
Tall Trellis Brewery
Olathe is adding another brewery to its inventory by way of Tall Trellis Brewery.
Co-owner Ryan Triggs has been on the supply and agricultural side of the beer industry for the last seven years.
Triggs and his brother-in-law own a hops farm in Ottawa, Kansas, and are ready to take the next step, but they're not leaving the farm behind.
The duo is planning to grow hops on location at the new brewery, creating an experience similar to a vineyard — the only one in the Midwest, according to Triggs.
"I think it's going to be a really unique destination for people to come drink some local craft beer," he said.
With a one barrel system, the Tall Trellis Brewery will rotate styles often, and include beers from breweries supplied by Triggs' hops farm.
The Tall Trellis location will feature an outdoor space and canning line, giving the new business flexibility if COVID measures cause a new round of shutdowns.
Once open this spring, Tall Trellis Brewery invites craft beer fans to come marvel at the hops growing upwards of 18 feet, highlighting that their beer is made with local ingredients.
Vine Street Brewing Co.
18th and Vine will be singing a new tune once Vine Street Brewing Co. opens its doors.
Co-founder Kemet Coleman and his two business partners are behind what Coleman said is the metro's first Black-owned brewery.
Having a brewery has long been a dream of Coleman's, though he confessed he's not a brewer.
"I'm a community builder. I bring people together," he said.
In looking for a space that "could serve the community," Coleman found one in Kansas City's jazz district.
"The 18th and Vine area is such a sacred part of Kansas City," he said. "To have any type of impact on the resurgence of bringing back such a sacred soil was really appealing to me."
As the pandemic drags on, outdoor space has become a much needed amenity in the food and beverage industry. Fortunately for Vine Street Brewing, it sits on about two acres of land.
"We all need spaces where we can get together," Coleman said. And when COVID surges come along, the outdoor space will allow patrons an option where they can still gather.
Aside from being a business owner, Coleman is also a musician. Music will be a part of the brewery and Coleman admits it's likely he'll take his turn at performing.
Vine Street Brewing Co. is expected to open in April.
- Brent Anderson, founder, Friction Beer Co.
- Ryan Triggs, co-owner, Tall Trellis Brew Co.
- Kemet Coleman, co-founder, Vine Street Brewing Co.
