Short Pours - 8/8/13

Crazy Eye and Tin Man come to Kansas

Though that headline sounds like the title of a terrible B-Horror movie, it's actually an indication of two new breweries who will bringing their beer to Kansas over the course of the next few weeks. First up is Crazy Eye Brewing, out of Hiawatha, Kansas. Crazy Eye, which opened last year, has been slowly marching their way from festival pouring to distribution (they don't have a taproom...yet). A couple locations in Lawrence and Topeka received kegs in early July, but now Crazy Eye will be hitting the market in full force, distributing kegs throughout the market in late August. Keep an eye out here as that time period approaches, as there may be some special events to celebrate their launch.


Next, a Twitter tip led me to find out that ABC paperwork has begun to bring Tin Man Brewing to Kansas. I was completely unaware of this Evansville, Indiana brewery, but they have a pretty interesting story. Tin Man uses a Mash Filter system to help conserve both energy and water. The filter uses about 40% less water and 15-20% less natural gas than a traditional Lauter Tun. According to their website, Tin Man is the first craft brewery of its size in the United States to use this system. To add to their sustainability efforts, the brewery cans their beer because of the recycling opportunities with aluminum and the lower energy usage that results from canning vs. bottling. Tin Man's beers will likely hit shelves in Kansas in the next 30-45 days.


Rescue, Raffle and Ride with Rimann

It took me WAY too long to work the alliteration into that headline. BUT, my journalistic struggles aside, Rimann Liquors has teamed up with New Belgium on a fantastic local charity effort. They are raising money for animal shelter Wayside Waifs by holding a raffle. 1st and 2nd place prizes are a Fat Tire Cruiser bike and the 3rd place winner will receive some New Belgium and Wayside Waifs swag. Raffle tickets are $5, and can be purchased at either Rimann location or Wayside Waifs through September 12th. To celebrate the fundraiser, there will also be two tastings with New Belgium on August 13th and 14th. Check out the calendar for details on those.


Tallgrass PB&J Porter at Saucer

If you're looking to grab a beer tonight and want a unique option, Flying Saucer is the place to be. Tallgrass will be in the house for Rare Beer Night with a firkin of Area 51 PB&J Porter. Yep, peanut butter and jelly. Tallgrass continues their habit of cranking out unique firkins, and word on the street is they are doing more experimenting back at the brewery..but more on that to come once I get permission to talk about it! In the meantime, head to Saucer tonight for this 7pm tapping.


UNICO Microbrew Festival tickets still available

On Saturday, UNICO will be hosting its fifth annual beer festival at Zona Rosa. At just $25 a ticket, this is an affordable beer festival option for those who may have missed others that took place earlier this summer or spring. Breweries/distilleries participating include:

Ameristar Brew Pub
Boulevard Brewing Company
Tallgrass Brewing Company
Broadway Brewery
Flying Monkey
Exit Six Brewery
Weston Brewing Company
Granite City
Empyrean Brewing Co.
Summit Brewing
S.D. Strong Distilling
Goose Island
Schlafly
Mother's Brewing Company
Shock Top
Deschutes
Dark Horse Distillery
High Noon Saloon
Kona Brewing

If you're interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online here. Note that advance ticket sales are cut off at 9pm Friday night.

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