News

March 5, 2022

“Ich Bin Ukrainer!”

Written by Katie Camlin · Categorized: Uncategorized

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy spoke the words “Ich bin ein Berliner” in support and solidarity of the citizens of Berlin. “All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner!”

In 2022, Kansas City Bier Company stands with the citizens of Ukraine, and pays homage to Kennedy’s iconic declaration with “Ich Bin Ukrainer!” shirts. The shirts are available at the Bierhalle for $20, with all profits donated to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund via Global Giving.

There will also be an option at the Bierhalle to add a $1, $,5 or $10 donation to your tab.

Donations to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund will go directly to providing food, shelter, clean water, healthcare, and financial support to citizens of Ukraine. Learn more about their efforts or donate more here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/

March 1, 2022

Carolator: Tradition and Memorium

Written by Katie Camlin · Categorized: Bier, Bier News

Every year since the brewery opened in 2014, we have brewed a doppelbock in the winter to be blessed and released around the time of Lent, following a Bavarian brewing tradition. This tradition was established in the 1600s by the Paulaner monks of Munich who brewed a strong bier, or “liquid bread”, to nourish them during their Lenten fast. They called their bier Salvator, meaning “Our Savior”. To this day, Bavarian breweries and others commemorate the tradition by releasing a Doppelbock for Lent and by giving their doppelbocks names with the suffix “-ator”.

In 2020, Kansas City Bier Company lost a beloved family member, Carol, the older sister of founder and managing owner Steve, and mother of brewer Chad. Carol’s smile and generous spirt were a constant presence in the Bierhalle, and her warmth was felt by all she encountered. Beginning in 2021, the Blessed Doppelbock was renamed “Carolator” to pay homage to the original Lenten brew and to honor Carol.

Carolator is a 7.4% Heller Doppelbock brewed with 100% Imported German Pilsner malt and 100% Imported German Perle and Tettnanger hops grown on the 600-year-old Seitz Farm in Bavaria. It was cold-conditioned for more than nine weeks, and then blessed by a priest in the company of Carol’s family before being bottled and put into kegs.

$1 from every Carolator sold will be donated to Developing Potential, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that provides habilitation services to adults with disabilities, including Carol’s son, Michael.
With Carolator, we honor German brewing tradition and honor Carol. We hope that you raise a glass of this bier and think of her.

September 13, 2021

KC Bier Co Named Best Missouri Beer Spot by Eat This, Not That!

Written by Katie Camlin · Categorized: Press, Bier News

Eat This, Not That picked KC Bier Co as the best beer spot in the state of Missouri! They specifically mentioned our Festbier, which is available at the Bierhalle, Biergarten, and in stores now! Bring your family and friends for some bier and snacks, and see why Eat This loves KC Bier Co! Check out their pick for each state here.

April 15, 2021

Spring Diaper Drive for Bishop Sullivan Center

Written by KC Bier Co. · Categorized: Press

Some of you might be familiar with the deeply loyal following we have at KC Bier Co. for Bundesliga — Germany’s premier soccer league — and might have seen the crowds that fill the Bierhalle on Saturdays cheering for their favorite clubs. Not only are these fans passionate about German football and bier, they’re equally passionate about helping the local community, which is why we’re pleased to announce a Spring Diaper Drive for the Bishop Sullivan Center in partnership with FC Bayern Kingdom KC, Kansas City’s official fan club for FC Bayern-Munich.

Starting April 17 through May 15, we are collecting diapers, wipes and baby food in the Bierhalle during regular business hours and as early as 9:00 am on Saturdays. When you donate items, you’ll receive a $5 off voucher that can be redeemed toward purchases in the Bierhalle and a raffle ticket to be entered into a drawing on May 22. (One voucher given for single donation visit, not per item donated).

The Bishop Sullivan Center’s programs support three pillars: food, jobs, and aid. The Center began with one food pantry in 1972 and has expanded to two locations with multiple programs including One City Café, Employment Services, household assistance, a clothes closet, Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet, and its new “Rick’s Kids” service providing items including diapers, wipes, and baby food for low-income children.

“FC Bayern Kingdom KC was established in 2015 as an official fan club of the German record champions, and we welcome all local fans to join us for watch parties as well as various initiatives in our community,” said Joey Nasternak, chairman of FC Bayern Kingdom KC.

“As we continue to grow and evolve, the Bishop Sullivan Center is our logical partner for community outreach. The Sullivan Center is passionate in implementing their mission of supporting our neighbors with food, medical needs, and employment opportunities, and we are grateful that they will help us reach as many people as possible with our charitable efforts.”

February 12, 2021

2021 Blessed Doppelbock Release Honors Brewery Founder’s Sister

Written by KC Bier Co. · Categorized: Bier, Bier News

Every winter, we follow a Bavarian brewing tradition established in the 1600s by the Paulaner monks of Munich who brewed a strong beer, or liquid bread, to nourish them during their Lenten fast. They called their bier Salvator, meaning “our Savior.”

To this day, Bavarian breweries commemorate this tradition by releasing a Doppelbock for Lent, also known as Starkbierzeit, meaning “strong bier season.” Brewers honor the original Salvator by giving their Doppelbocks names with an “ator” or ‘a-tor’ ending, such as the Ayinger brewery’s Celebrator, Spaten’s Optimator, and Augustiner’s Maximator.

This will be the first year we have given an ‘a-tor’ ending to the name of our annual Doppelbock, which for 2021 is named Carolator. Carolator is named in memory of Carol Crawford, older sister of KC Bier Co. founder and managing owner Steve Holle. Carol passed away in 2020 and was loved by many at the brewery.

Carolator is a 7.4% ABV Heller Doppelbock brewed with 100% Pilsner malt that was cold conditioned for more than nine weeks to develop an incredibly smooth, clean finish. It will be available in bottles and on draught exclusively in our Bierhalle beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17. (Carolator 6-packs will be $9.99 each).

In keeping with Doppelbock’s historical purpose, Carolator was also blessed in our cellar before packaging by the Rev. Jeremy Loesch of Holy Trinity in Grandview, MO, where Carol was the director of the pre-school.

Carol was a devoted teacher and a tireless volunteer for many causes. One cause especially close to her heart was Developing Potential Inc., a local nonprofit organization that provides habilitation services to adults with disabilities, including Carol’s son, Michael. KC Bier Co. will donate a portion of the Carolator sales to DPI in memory of Carol.

From the moment we opened the brewery in 2014 to her passing last year, Carol’s benevolent smile, endearing laughter and warm spirit were a constant presence in our Bierhalle. She inspired many with her generous, selfless nature, and is missed dearly. Please remember her when you raise a glass of this bier — and may we all aspire to live as she did, with a loving and generous heart. Zum Wohl!

Bierhalle & Biergarten