Today’s post is a guest post from my good friend Ellen Collingwood. When we first met we immediately bonded over our love of beer and not knowing what the heck we want to do with our lives. (Shout out to Peter Heidorn for the intro!) I love her passion for music, craft beer and her alma mater, Kansas State. Seriously every time we’re together we end up talking for hours. So I asked Ellen if she would share her love of her hometown brewery, Boulevard with all of you.

P.S. She also makes a mean playlist.

Everyone remembers the breweries that built their palette and instilled their love for craft. For me, one in particular stacks above the rest: Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company.

In college I was frequently “that person” towing 6-packs of Pale Ale along to parties long before I could legally order them at a bar (sorry Riley County Police Department). For special occasions, it was tradition to purchase a 750mL of Long Strange Tripel or Tank 7 to uncork and pass around amongst the sea of Burnett’s, wildly excited when someone would marvel, “wait, what is this?”

When Nora and I first discussed a guest post, my mind immediately gravitated to sharing my beer heritage along with its quintessential pairing: KC barbeque. More like, cue the Jack Stack my mom sent as a moving gift that’s been waiting in our freezer for a special occasion (yes, this wildly exists).

I was pleasantly surprised to discover the breadth of Boulevard in liquor stores after moving to Minneapolis and made sure to feature a few below you can pick up locally. With the BBQ in mind, I headed to trusty France 44 and picked up two staple favorites plus something new and made my way over.

Ends: burnt. Beer: poured. Glasses: toasted. Let’s get into it.

BERLINER WEISSE - German-Style Sour Ale

This one was new for me, but an easy choice thanks to my inclination towards anything sour. With the market inundation of explosive, fruitbomb kettle sours this summer, this light and bright little gem was a welcome, neutral balance. The canned packaging lends to a perfect, sessionable sour; I favored the heavy champagne-like carbonation with just the right amount tart and subtle citrusy zest finish.

Recommended: The pre-meal beer to awaken your taste buds and get that mouth watering.

TANK 7 - Farmhouse Ale

Tank 7 truly has it all: a floral, hop-forward open, grapefruit juiciness on the tongue, then sailing to earthy maltiness with a nice, dry finish. Tank always signifies a special occasion for me; not due to exorbitance or rarity, but simply because the complex flavor profile and 8.5% ABV makes you slow down and genuinely appreciate the journey each sip invites.

Recommended: Have a fresh pour ready for your first few bites as the punchy, floral, grapefruit notes work in harmony with fattier meats and tangy, savory BBQ sauce.

SAISON BRETT (2016) - Belgian Saison

Available as a signature Smokestack 750mL, Saison Brett is the older, nuanced cousin of Tank 7. Think less juiciness and hop-forward bitterness and instead, more traditional Belgian-bready-spice. The cellaring and aging of Saison Brett encourages the added brettanomyces do their thing for maximum farmy/earthy funkiness, which comes together for a smooth, but definitely not tame treat.

Recommended: Rounding out your meal, sharing pours with your friends over good conversation and comforting satisfaction as the dusk settles.

I so deeply honor my affinity for Boulevard because it’s always been about sharing the beers that made me excited about beer. After all, it paved the path states away to meeting friends like Nora who too cherish beer’s capacity to carry remarkable significance.

I swell with pride knowing a product crafted with such impeccable heart, creativity, and integrity originates right in the heart of America, in Kansas City, Missouri: the middle of everywhere.