Beer that is Kansas City.
Have you ever noticed how certain things practically define their city? What’s Philadelphia without cheesesteaks from Pat’s or Geno’s? Or New Orleans without hurricanes from Pat O’Brien’s? Can you imagine New York City without Ray’s, Famous Original Ray’s and the Real Ray’s pizza? It’s practically sacrilegious.
In Kansas City, we have two of those things – our world famous barbeque and Boulevard beer. It’s hard to believe a company founded less than 30 years ago would have such a big impact on the local dining, drinking and nightlife scene, but it has. Probably because their beers are world class.
I don’t know what’s going on over there on Southwest Boulevard, but it’s magical. From a handful of classics like the Pale Ale and Wheat, Boulevard has branched out and now brews more than two dozen beers, each a masterpiece in its own right. Think I’m kidding? Try it for yourself. The next time you’re in your liquor store picking up a six-pack, grab something from Boulevard. Anything.
Then, after you’ve drunk it, come back and tell me it wasn’t good. If you can do that, you either hate good beer or you’re a damned liar. Boulevard doesn’t make bad beer.
And don’t even get me started on their seasonals. If you want a bottle of their Chocolate Ale (usually released in February), you’d better line up now. Bottles of this Kansas City favorite are harder to come by than tickets to a Beatles reunion show.
For those of you not lucky enough to be located close to the City of Fountains, don’t worry. Boulevard is now available nationwide, thanks to its Belgian parent Duval Moortgat. So wherever you are, grab a bottle of Boulevard (I personally recommend the Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale), crack it open, and enjoy the best that Kansas City has to offer.