The Best Breweries in Kansas City

Kansas City is one of the most famous brewing cities in America. Local brewers have gone on to win national accolades year after year. The brewery scene in Kansas City is truly exceptional, featuring unique hops present in everything from national brands to microbreweries. My advice: go brewery hopping. It’s impossible to see all that the Kansas City beer scene has in only one stop, so try out a few flights of beer at a few different locations. Some of my top picks can be found in this list.

Tags: Ale Trail, Beer, Breweries

• Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  Boulevard is a Missouri staple. They produce the second largest amount of beer in the state, rivaled only by internationally famous Anheuser-Busch. When Boulevard opened in the late 1980’s, it was the only brewery in town and became a beloved tap room for city residents. Boulevard is an inventive and progressive place. They have recently made the switch to being almost zero waste and composts nearly all of their garbage. In 2020, they took home the gold medal in the American Ale category at the national GABF competition. They’re worth the visit!

• Green Room Burgers & Beer L.L.C. in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  Green Room is a neighborhood brewery and pub featuring locally sourced brews in a traditional watering hole joint. Green Room is the oldest locally owned brewery in the city, making it a monument of the Kansas City beer scene in itself. Green Room is known for huge portions of burgers and fries as well as other classic American staples. As for their rotating tap, they are known for small batch brews featuring classic lagers and other ales. Bonus: Green Room is also located right next to a comedy improv theater if you’re looking for dinner and a show!

• Brewery Emperial in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  Brewery Emperial was opened in 2016 and includes a tap of both American and European staples like Pilsner, Kolsch, and their Emperial IPA. Emperial is one of the most traditional breweries in the city, but when it comes to beer sometimes a classic is the best. Beer evokes memory, and I can recall a cold Kolsch in the expansive backyard of Emperial as well as a classic Miller High Life in a dive bar in my hometown. They just go well together. Check out Emperial for a no frills classic.

• Torn Label Brewing Co. in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  Torn Label has a huge volume of beer production; they go through over 1,600 barrels annually. Torn Label maintains a rotation of 15 barrels and 15 taps, so be sure to try a flight when you visit. Torn Label is more known for craft beer than the classics, they make a fabulous hazy IPA, one of my personal favorites being the Memory Foam New England IPA. Go on a weekend and enjoy the community that gathers here on warm Saturday afternoons.

• Alma Mader Brewing in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  The brewers at Alma Mader work with the perfect dispersion of classic and craft beers on a rotating tap. They like to stick to the basics while also introducing some original flavors into their beers. Alma Mader has a tasting room if you want to try a few varieties and take home a frosty four pack, or you can hang out and drink a crisp hop-forward lager on site.

• City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  The Crossroads neighborhood gives respite to many of Kansas City’s breweries, and one of the newest additions is City Barrel. City Barrel is unique in that it has a full craft food menu, a wine list, and even a mixologist on site if beer just isn’t your thing. The brewery has a cute patio with lots of gathering space and some adventurous beers to mingle with Kansas City’s classics. Try a sour or go with something else on the wild side of the brew range.

• Crane Brewing, United States

  
  kaylee

  Crane Brewing is beloved for their beers, and they are also an incredibly dog friendly joint! Bring your furry friend and stay a while. They have a rotation of inventive brews to try ranging from sours to a Weiss. They are also well known for their farmhouse beers and utilize unique flavor profiles like tea leaves and red beet in their selections.

• Kansas City Bier Company in Kansas City, United States

  
  kaylee

  KC Bier is one of the most family (and dog) friendly breweries in the city. Located in an expansive beer hall, KC is a laid back setting that welcomes everyone. In 2013, the brewery also became the largest locally owned brewery in the city so you can be sure that they have a huge selection to please anyone. Pair your brews with some of their classic brewery food options like doughy pretzels.