The Golden Tappys for 2015

Best Beer Bar: Grains & Taps

So, we haven’t been to Grains & Taps. If you haven’t either, here’s a brief summary via Alex Workman from Scouting the Taps:

Want to find a new beer? How about Sump or Rye on Rye on Rye (Both on tap recently)? Want to find your gateway into the world of good quality beer? Try Deschutes Fresh Squeezed. Are you thinking about adding a hobby like brewing beer? Perhaps you have been brewing beer of years and need your next equipment upgrade or put together a recipe for your next homebrew? The people have spoken. The people of Kansas City agree with me when I say that Grains and Taps is the best beer bar in the KC area! With 12 taps rotating at a steady rate, there is always something new to try as you learn, laugh, and relax with a friendly and knowledgeable staff and people who love meeting new people with passion for beer. I have felt Grains and Taps is like the bar Cheers, the sense of belonging grows with every sip. Brad, Brian, Bert, Brian, and Stephanie will help find your next beer and plan your next brew day. They are about to move to a bigger space with more to offer and more room to enjoy a few really good beers with great friends new and old.

Sweet, where are they located? Grains & Taps is in downtown Lee’s Summit, 224 SE Douglas St. They open at noon Tuesday thru Friday, 11:00 am on Saturday, noon on Sunday.

Scouts’ Honor for Best Beer Bar: Bier Station

Bier Station is our go-to meeting spot for out-of-town beer nerds. The staff is so friendly I think they’re faking it. We always find something new among their 20 taps. Usually, there’s more than one. And they always have interesting beers on tap, both craft and import.

Sweet, where are they located? Bier Station is situated between Waldo and Brookside at 120 E Gregory Blvd, between Wornall and Oak. You can visit starting at 11:00 am Monday thru Saturday, and at noon on Sunday.

Best Bottle Shop: Bier Station

Bier Station

Yes, Bier Station is an awesome beer bar. It’s also an amazing bottle shop. The Beer Scouts agree whole-heartedly, so no “Scouts’ Honor” award in this category. They always get the good stuff. Their mix-six selection is out of this world. Friendly staff. Plus, it’s within walking distance, even with a double stroller, from Beer Scouts headquarters.

Awesome, where are they? Bier Station is situated between Waldo and Brookside at 120 E Gregory Blvd, between Wornall Rd and Oak St. You can visit starting at 11:00 am Monday thru Saturday, and at noon on Sunday.

Scouts’ Honor for Best Bottle Shop: Bier Station

Yeah, we can’t argue with Bier Station.

Best Festival: Craft Beer Festival of the Lost Township

Lost TownshipAlas, none of the Scouts make it out to Raytown for the Festival of the Lost Township this year. And we couldn’t find anyone who did who’d write something up for us. So, we will take your word for it and get there for this year’s festival.

Cool. Are they doing it again? Absolutely. The Second Annual Craft Beer Festival of the Lost Township is Saturday, September 17, 2016. In addition to the craft beer and food, homebrewers will be pouring in a special tent. Early bird tickets are now on sale.

Scouts’ Honor for Best Festival: Hop Fest

Waldo HopfestHop Fest has everything we want in a summer beer festival: a wide and deep selection of craft beers from across the country, shade, music, food, and an ideal location. Then again, if you don’t live in the Brookside/Waldo area, the location isn’t as ideal as it is for us. Either way, we love Hop Fest, err, Hopfest.

Cool. Are they doing it again? Yes! Hop Fest, which is now Waldo Hopfest, will be Saturday, May 21 behind the Well in Waldo. Tickets are now on sale.

And in 2016…

There’s so much to look forward to this year. Several new breweries will be opening. At least one more local brewery will begin packaging their beer for sale in liquor stores. More and more breweries will be entering the Kansas City market. The winners of the 2016 Golden Tappys may be a completely different group. Exciting times for beer lovers in Kansas City!

By jimmywags

I began the path through good beer in college. Exploring different sixers and bombers based on packaging and label design (art student, mind you), I weaved my way around the continental lagers and Colorado craft ales. My knowledge and interest exploded upon receiving a homebrewing equipment kit as a graduation gift from my parents. Twelve years later, I've brewed most styles, experimented between them, and hunted for the perfect pint.

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