December 26, 2017 in Food & Farming

Toast the New Year with local beer, wine & spirits

Ring in the New Year with holiday spirits from local breweries, wineries and distilleries, and learn about some of their sustainability practices.

No matter what you wish to sip, the Kansas City / Lawrence area is a great place to fill your mug or glass. There is a wide variety of vineyards, breweries and wineries that offer tours, tastings and events during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Eco-friendly experiences

For an eco-friendly experience, visit Jowler Creek Vineyard located 30 minutes north of downtown Kansas City. Jowler Creek is Missouri’s first green vineyard and winery. Owners Colleen and Jason Gerke utilize solar panels to power their winery, and a method of rotational grazing of Olde English Babydoll sheep to control weed and grass growth. Enjoy award-winning wines at the on-site tasting room open Wednesdays through Sundays.

To tour a true “zero landfill” brewery, and taste beer from one of the largest specialty brewers in the Midwest, visit Boulevard Brewing Company. Located on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, MO, the brewery has developed several environmentally friendly practices. The company is zero landfill, which means it recycles and composts most of its waste from organic materials to plastics and scrap metal. All broken bottles and other glass waste goes to Ripple Glass, which sends a portion of its final product back to the bottle manufacturer that makes Boulevard bottles. Ripple Glass was started by a few Boulevard owners. Beer box packaging is made from 70-100 percent post-consumer, recycled material. The brewery also has planted a green roof to reduce heating and air conditioning loads and lower energy consumption and installed solar panels to help produce energy. The brewery offers free public tours daily (except holidays) throughout the year.

Drinking with the dogs

If you want to take your pup along for a beer, try the newest concept in drinking with your dog at The Bar K Lab in the West Bottoms. It’s a 16,000-square-foot warehouse that features indoor dog park with a lounge, bar and dog play equipment. They don’t brew their own beer, but dog lovers don’t seem to care. Find them at 515 Liberty St., Kansas City, MO. Dog owners can also try the Barley’s Kitchen and Tap, Bier Station and Big Rip Brewing Company.

Local breweries and wineries

Check with these local breweries, wineries and distilleries for upcoming tours and tastings. If we missed your favorite brewery or winery, just email [email protected] with the name, address and website, and we’ll add it to the list.

Breweries

Boulevard Brewing Company

2501 Southwest Blvd.

Kansas City, MO

Brewery Emperial

1829 Oak St.

Kansas City, MO

Cinder Block Brewery

110 E. 18^th St.

North Kansas City, MO

Crane Brewing Co.

6515 Railroad St.