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DrinkUp Month: Embracing German bier history with KC Bier Co.

Dive into the history behind German beer with local brewery KC Bier Co’s owner. Plus, get the details on the KCtoday + KC Bier Co happy hour on Thursday, July 6.

KC Bier Co Beer options KCtoday

We’ll take one of each.

Photo by KCtoday

Table of Contents

KC Bier Co. opened in 2014 with a goal to put the “i” back in “Bier.” The craft brewery opened in Kansas City with the goal of adding German-style bier with authentic flavors to the local beer scene. Spoiler alert: they succeeded.

City Editor Bella sat down with founder Steve Holle to chat about the history of the biz, Oktoberfest, and the bier-making process.

Where it all started

Steve Hall brought KC Bier Co. to the 816 as a retirement project — hoping to bring traditional German-style hops to the region. The Biergarden + Bierhalle are located at 310 W. 79th St., KCMO, the same place where its doors opened almost 10 years ago.

“We wanted Kansas City in the name, as we’re a local brewery. We spell ‘bier’ with the German spelling and are totally focused on making authentic tasting, German-style bier,” Steve told us.

KC Bier Co System KCtoday

Where the malt gets made.

Photo by KCtoday

How it’s brewed

KC Bier Co. follows many traditional brewing techniques, including decoction mashing, two stage fermentation, and natural carbonation.

“We use brewing methods and procedures that my head brewer and myself aquired while we were doing brewing classes in Munich. In that way, we focus on a very small segment of the beer universe as a style, but in that way, we provide something unique and different to Kansas City,” Steve said.

Oktoberfest

Every year, KC Bier Co. models after the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany and hosts the largest traditional Oktoberfest in KC. The event features traditional German performances, games, and entertainment.

When: Friday Oct. 6-Saturday, Oct. 7
Where: Crown Center
Tickets: $12 early bird on sale soon

KCtoday + KC Bier Co.

Join the KCtoday team for a happy hour at the Bierhalle.

When: Thursday, July 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: 310 W. 79th St., KCMO
Deal: 20% off your tab when you mention KCtoday

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