There are so many little micro breweries popping up around Kansas City. So many that you could actually make a weekend of doing nothing but brewery hopping. It makes the growth of our awesome little Paris of the plains even more fun to be a part of. My husband and I are notorious for seeking these little breweries and trying them out. We have some favorites and are always looking for more. We decided to test out a new brewery after a Sunday afternoon at the Nelson Art Gallery with our little girl.
Here it is!
Tucked away in the crossroads on Holmes is a new microbrewery that beckons you to come in and look around. City Barrel has just opened its new home complete with a barrel front roof top patio and large garage doors that are just begging to be opened as Spring arrives. As you walk in you are greeted with a cozy industrial feel and food that smells as good as it tastes. With a love for its city that comes through in its beer, it is clear that this brewery is here to stay.
The Atmosphere:
Set in an old industrial building, the dining and bar space are open, but cozy with low lighting and handmade wood tables. Using reclaimed wood for accents and placing handmade wood tables around for perfect seating, there is no little touch that went unnoticed. As if the beautiful wood pieces throughout were not enough to keep you looking around, there are also contemporary animal head art pieces placed throughout. You know the place is cool when there is a unicorn head mounted on the wall.
Moose, its a Kansas City staple, right?
Edison bulbs give the chill vibe, while the Kansas City art wall and neon sign gives the perfect backdrop for the selfies that you are sure to take. As you sip your beer or wait for your food, take a little stroll into the brewing area and stand right at the red rope. You will see all the goodness that goes into craft beer making and get the feeling that you are truly a part of that process.
You know you want to take that next Instagram selfie here.
The Beers we tried:
Cast of characters
816: This is a crisp filtered wheat beer. With a beautiful wheat color, it begs to be enjoyed on spring or summer day as you lounge on the patio. This beer is a great testament to the love these brewmasters feel for their city and the beer they serve its people.
Welcome to the 816
Rad AF (Hazy IPA): I admit I am not a big IPA fan, but this one I had to try. It comes to you in small stemless wine glass (which you can purchase) with a golden color that reminds you of a perfect sunrise. Made with citrus hops, the taste is crisp and light making it a great patio drinking beer.
Rad AF (Hazy IPA) *make sure you grab a sticker and help promote this great little brewery.
Classy: Before we were even seated I saw a beautiful pink beer walk by in a wine glass. Umm, pink beer in a wine glass? Sign me up! This beer also made from citrus hops and is infused with raspberries and blueberries making it turn a beautiful reddish/pink color. It does taste as good as it looks and yes, you look classy when you drink it. It has berries in it you guys, that makes it healthy too, right? Right!!
Classy. See what I mean?
We went straight for these three and have vowed to go back and try the rest.
The Food we ate:
Aside from the tasty beer this new brewery turns out, their food menu has some great eats on it too. Our family went straight for the burgers and never looked back!
City Barrel Burger: This burger comes cooked to order and is dressed up with cheddar cheese, housemate pickles, lettuce, and tomato. To complete this wood fired beef burger, it is served with homemade fries. These fries can be seasoned with the house seasoning or made a little spicer and seasoned with 1740 seasoning.
City Barrel Burger
Second Best Espresso Bacon Burger: This second best espresso and dried jalapeño seasoned beef is also cooked to order. As if the espresso flavor wasn’t enough for you, it is then topped with a thick cut of maple and brown sugar bacon, smoked potatoes, melted Brie, arugula, and sweet balsamic compote.
Second Best Espresso Bacon Burger
I can say that both seasoning options on the fries are delicious and you’re only deciding factor on which to choose would be if you want to add a little heat to your side or not.
The brew masters are as nice as their beers are good. Coming by our table to visit with us for a bit, we found out that their pride for the city is large and they just want to put out craft beer that Kansas City people will love and be proud of. Now that the weather is warming up and you are starting to come out of hibernation, make sure you take a trip down to this great microbrewery and see all the love it has to offer. I promise that the beer will not disappoint and the food will be filling.
Cheers Kansas City!
