First!

[cowgo]

Hey fellow Kansas brewers...We have our own space!!

 

[jaycount]

And its deathly quiet.

Surprise surprise

 

[TangleFoot]

Hey I just found this........and where the he!! is everyone?

What do we do here?

Later....TangleFoot-out

 

[jaycount]

I guess we can talk about all the trials and tribulations of being Kansas homebrewers

 

[ManCaveMan]

Heh, just saw this...late to the party again.

 

[WhtHawk]

You're not the only one.

 

[TangleFoot]

There's more of usin's than I thought.

BTW...SWMBO and I went down to Johnson's Garden Center a couple days ago to kinda check them out.

SWMBO was disappointed because it's a little early for plants and I wasn't overly impressed with the little corner of wine and brewing supplies but it would be handy if ya lived close.

I am about 75 miles away, so guess I'll still use the net.

Later........TangleFoot-out

 

[looneybomber]

New to brewing via the Mr.Beer I got for Christmas, surprise, surprise. However, it's been a great kick-off for something I've wanted to do for a long time, but never thought I'd have the time to do it. Come to find out, I don't have the time to do it, but who needs to sleep and study? (EE major at KU)

If you guys know of a good, cheap 5-6.5 gal brewing kit for sale, let me know. I'd like a slightly larger one, because the wife (SWMBO??) wants to do wine too.

 

[ManCaveMan]

Where is everybody at? Near Emporia here.

 

[TangleFoot]

Where is everybody at? Near Emporia here.

Well I live se of Gypsum which is about 15 miles SE of Salina....on the farm.

Later-TangleFoot-out

 

[Swifty]

Salina

 

[newbrewjay]

Topeka!!!! Nice to see some fellow brewers

 

[msehler]

Lenexa. Formerly Manhattan. Formerly formerly Hutchinson.

 

[ManCaveMan]

Some great response...considering the KS factor. Any votes for a tap house meet and greet? Maybe a support the "local" craft brewery? How far yall from Free State? Be about an hour for me and SWMBO.

 

[jaycount]

My trips to Free State are weekend trips. It's close to 3 hours for me.

Wichita has some great breweries too. Wichita Brewing Co., River City, and Hank Is Wiser (Cheney). Things are really starting to come around down here

 

[newbrewjay]

Im about 15 mins from free state

 

[Swifty]

Cheney has a microbrew?!! That's awesome. I'll have to get down there n try that out next time I'm that way.... I don't really do a lot of traveling though I'd like to. Free State's a couple hours.

 

[ICThomebrewer]

Just noticed there was a KS forum. Sup all.

 

[jaycount]

Cheney has a microbrew?!! That's awesome. I'll have to get down there n try that out next time I'm that way.... I don't really do a lot of traveling though I'd like to. Free State's a couple hours.

http://www.hankiswiserbrewery.com/ Their beers range from good to boring (I love their IPA but thier pale ale - canadian ale - wheat are all bland to me) but they have a good looking bottle selection and the absolutely best atmosphere for a bar I've ever been to. Gone in their the past 3 weekends in a row, 3 weeks ago being our first time, and they treat us like they've known us forever. Really, really good folks. Worth the long drive IMO.

They have a big anniversary party at the end of this month where they will have 20-30 something of their beers on tap over 2 days. Alot of oak aged and imperial stuff, sounded like a great list. Check em out!

I need to come up your way, theres a bunch of breweries up north that I've never been able to try: Blind Tiger, 23rd St, Little Apple, LB Brewing...

 

[Swifty]

I just finished a growler of IPA from Blind Tiger. It was really good. LB in Hays is very good too. I went to school out there but, didn't have much of an appreciation for real beers back then.

 

[ALCUL8R]

I'm just outside of Walton, but do more with wine. Have only made 20 gal or so of beers.

 

[scottsaxman]

Wichita! I would enjoy seeing what others do. A few friends and I started brewing beer, but mostly have gotten info from the internet and youtube videos. Still, our three beers have been pretty decent.

 

[scottsaxman]

I just found out about this...

http://www.wichitahomebrewers.org/

Regular meetings, contests, think I'll check it out.

 

[GreenDragon]

Scottsaxman, yeah the WHO meets monthly. We meet in an anex of the brewery/pizza place on Tyler. The WHO also has a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/wichitahomebrewers

I've been brewing for about 1.5 years now.. I "think" I'm getting the hang of it. My oatmeal stout scored a 42 at the NHC. I've now gotten two of my friends hooked on home brewing

 

[schmidty65]

I'm in Olathe. Just saw this thread. How many folks on the KS side of the state line here in KC?

 

[snickers104]

I'm in Cimarron..all the way out west...I think I'm the only one in SW Kansas that does homebrew!!!

 

[scottsaxman]

One of the Wichita homebrew club members is from Dodge City. You are not entirely alone out there!

 

[chessking]

Hey Kansas, I'm currently in the beer paradise of Colorado, but lived in KS for many years. Kinsley, Larned, Lyons, Buhler, Nickerson, And Hutchinson. When I was there, brewing supplies were hard to find and I found myself Mail ordering (before the internet) from the Brew Hut In Aurora. SWMBO and I have considered retiring in Hutchinson, and I am wondering what the home brewing community is like now. Especially in Hutch. Where do you get your supplies, and is there a decent brew pub, or other establishment that serves good craft beer. If all you got is BMC, than I might as well stay here. I appreciate any feedback, and I do miss the wheat. Cheers.

 

[Swifty]

Chessking, I had a message typed up n then thought it was overly critical of Hutch. Then luck would have it, we went there this weekend. Hutch sucks. I grew up not too far outside of it and it's just got worse n worse. There are some good subculture kinds of things I saw but it didn't look like prosparity was coming any time soon.. Its better up north and we were looking for old furniture to modify for a house project on the southside. It looks like Tony Flores(sp) has a nice pocket around the anchor inn (pretty good Mexican food) but tough elsewhere.

 

[schmidty65]

Hey Kansas, I'm currently in the beer paradise of Colorado, but lived in KS for many years. Kinsley, Larned, Lyons, Buhler, Nickerson, And Hutchinson. When I was there, brewing supplies were hard to find and I found myself Mail ordering (before the internet) from the Brew Hut In Aurora. SWMBO and I have considered retiring in Hutchinson, and I am wondering what the home brewing community is like now. Especially in Hutch. Where do you get your supplies, and is there a decent brew pub, or other establishment that serves good craft beer. If all you got is BMC, than I might as well stay here. I appreciate any feedback, and I do miss the wheat. Cheers.

You should consider a bit north and retire in Manhattan; it's really becoming a nice place (it's had good growth since I was in college in the late 80s), and Tallgrass Brewery is there. Not entirely sure about homebrew shops, as I live in Olathe (which has several). Worst-case would be Topeka, but I think I heard about a shop in Manhattan somewhere...

 

[scottsaxman]

Wichita probably has the closest brew shop and club, about an hour from Hutchinson. There are several good breweries and liquor stores here also.

 

[chessking]

Thanks guys. Sounds like Hutch could be a good place to open a brew shop and maybe attempt to change the beer culture of the area. Start small, work with the local homebrew club. Perhaps a future Tap room. SWMBO may not be keen to the idea, but a guy can dream. If I remember correctly the water is not ideal to brewing. Hank Is Wiser has done well in Cheney, although as a brew pub, not a homebrew store.

I remember the Anchor Inn, and you are correct. The food is great.

 

[Swifty]

You'd always be welcome here in Salina. Heck, I'm sick of stressing about how old my wet yeast is so I'd buy from ya. I have zero guilt ordering online but, I,d pay a extra to not Cary this inventory. Whatever you decide, I've got a cold beer waiting for ya..

 

[Swifty]

I swear.. I'm smarter than this phone's keyboard makes me appear. Come have a brew with me n my club. It's a great group of guys that would be tickled pink to try your brews too..

 

[medic53]

Just joined. Been lurking and learning a lot. I'm from the big town of Pratt. Only have a few brews under my belt. One really good, a few decent ones, and some crappy! Getting better each time.

 

[TangleFoot]

Welcome to the forum Medic53...especially the Kansas section.

I've been brewing for a couple of years and I still make some good, some decent and the occassional Crappy brews.

This is a very good site for information and learning.

Later............TangleFoot-out

 

[67cougargt]

I'm here in Topeka and we have a good local homebrew club with great support from John and Al at Blind Tiger we just celebrated 25 years as a club. http://www.halloffoamers.com

 

[AggroKulture]

Are there any Clubs in Manhattan?

 

[67cougargt]

Yes there is I don't know who to contact for sure but if you contact Tallgrass Brewing or JWL craft brewers Jim Lero in Lawrence they should know. I think JWL makes a trip to the farmers market in Manhattan and will also bring supplies

 

[MarcusKillion]

I just found wichitahomebrewers.org . I have lived here 40 years . I need to get out more . I plan on bringing in some of my beers to get sampled by someone other than me .