This fact might make you feel old because you were at Ponak's on November 17, 1989 drinking a pale ale that was most likely bought for you by some guy at the bar. Or this fact might make you feel really young because last weekend you bought your first legal beer, an unfiltered wheat in a sleek black and yellow aluminum bottle. Either way this makes you feel, as Kansas Citian I know I feel proud and have a lot of respect for any business that can perpetuate itself for 25 years. A small business that turned the corner driven by a commitment to excellence born of passion. This commitment and passion driving the business to a regional, if not a national player in the industry in 25 years is really something to celebrate!
Good thing there was a celebration for both Odell and Boulevard here in Kansas City! More specifically in Westport with the Silver Crawl! Silver, if you didn't know, is the traditional celebratory symbol of 25 years.
Odell and Boulevard organized a pub crawl in Westport and they did it right! Having heard of the pub crawl through social media, C and I jumped on the chance to get a couple of only 600 tickets to join in on the Silver Crawl. A ticket got you a nice t-shirt and a passport book to take along your journey.
Possible stops on the pub crawl included:
- Local Pig Westport/Preservation Market/Bridger's Bottle Shop
- Harry's
- Kelly's
- Green Room
- Harpo's
- Port Fonda
- Riot Room
- Westport Ale House
- Firefly
Everyone of these stops had some good beer on tap, including a couple of collaboration beers that Odell and Boulevard put together as a celebration of 25 years.
As there were two versions of the Anniversary beers, there were also many reviews we heard as we went through the day. One of the brews was hoppier and crisp. The other was smoother and mellow, maybe because of the lack of a strong hop presence. I wont tell you which is which because I want you to tell me your thoughts about the beers. I also want you to help me find both on tap at the same bar. So let me know!
If good beer on tap is not your thing or not enough to get you out of your house, good people and a chance at a trip to GABF would have enticed you? Well it did for me! I got to chat with Jeremy Danner, Matt Shadid from Odell, not to mention Trip from Boulevard, (You know the guy that Long Strange Tripel is named after?). These guys and other friendly smiling faces representing both breweries were present and eager to hang out with supporters of the breweries.
What was that about GABF? That's right Great American Beer Fest! If you filled your passport by going to six of the bars and getting a stamp at each place, you were entered into a drawing for a trip to a week of beer drinking in Denver, Colorado. Beer drinking doesn't even do the event justice! GABF brings beer from all over in, what is for me, a bucket list event!
As there were two versions of the Anniversary beers, there were also many reviews we heard as we went through the day. One of the brews was hoppier and crisp. The other was smoother and mellow, maybe because of the lack of a strong hop presence. I wont tell you which is which because I want you to tell me your thoughts about the beers. I also want you to help me find both on tap at the same bar. So let me know!
If good beer on tap is not your thing or not enough to get you out of your house, good people and a chance at a trip to GABF would have enticed you? Well it did for me! I got to chat with Jeremy Danner, Matt Shadid from Odell, not to mention Trip from Boulevard, (You know the guy that Long Strange Tripel is named after?). These guys and other friendly smiling faces representing both breweries were present and eager to hang out with supporters of the breweries.What was that about GABF? That's right Great American Beer Fest! If you filled your passport by going to six of the bars and getting a stamp at each place, you were entered into a drawing for a trip to a week of beer drinking in Denver, Colorado. Beer drinking doesn't even do the event justice! GABF brings beer from all over in, what is for me, a bucket list event!
While I was not able to win the trip, C and I had a lot of fun, drank great beer, met great people, and even got a free shirt out of the deal!
I look forward to other celebrations in the future because both breweries are doing well enough that there is plenty to toast to!
I look forward to other celebrations in the future because both breweries are doing well enough that there is plenty to toast to!
"Arm wrestle @matts_odellbrew and you could win some sweet @OdellBrewing gear! #SilverCrawl #Blvd and #Odell pic.twitter.com/yf4O6H5ld2"
— Odell Brewing Co (@OdellBrewing) November 8, 2014
