#43 – Boulevard Brewery Tour
2534 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
Cost: Free
Good for: Beer lovers.
Features: Gift shop, beer hall.
Tip: Sign up in advance for the Smokestack Tour for an extensive behind the scenes tour along with beer and food pairings.
Boulevard holds a special place in the hearts of many Kansas Citians. Even in the past two years that I have lived in Kansas City, it has been fun to see the company grow and change. Boulevard brewery tours are a great way to familiarize yourself with the company and drink some great beer.
Boulevard Brewery Tours
The basic Boulevard Brewery Tours are free! Unfortunately, this is changing in 2018, so go now if you’re serious about free stuff. Currently, the process for getting a tour time is a bit weird, as tickets are distributed in a first-come, first-served, in-person basis. Meaning you have to be there at 10am to ensure you have a ticket, even you don’t want to go on a tour until 3pm.
I’m guessing when they begin to charge $5 for tours in 2018, there will be online tour times to sign up for, which will alleviate a lot of the hassle.
Tours are an hour long and include beer samples. The tour explores the Boulevard campus and includes information on the brewing and bottling process and the history of Boulevard. You end in the Tours and Rec building for the opportunity to hit the gift shop or drink more in the Beer Hall.
Boulevard Brewery Tours also offer private tours and the Smokestack Tours and Tastings, which I thought was fantastic. Tickets are $25 for a 2-hour tour with private tasting and food pairing. Our guide was friendly and funny, and ultimately made the tour. You get a LOT of tastings of high ABV beers (the Smokestack Series beers are all 7.5% ABV or higher).
I highly recommend scheduling as far in advance as possible for the Smokestack Tour, as it fills up fast.
About Boulevard Brewery Company
Boulevard began in 1984, after owner, John McDonald, returned from a trip in Europe. He had been inspired by the complexity and variety of Belgian beers, and wanted to bring them to the U.S. The company hasn’t stopped growing since.
Whether you do the free tour or the Smokestack, enjoy this Kansas City favorite. xx, Libbie.