During a recent trip to Kansas City, I never expected to visit such an interesting city. In fact, the city offers treasures that, unfortunately, are not well known either to foreigners or even to most Americans.  One of these is the Boulevard Brewery, a real precious brewing.

 A family run brewery, it was founded and still run by the owner, John McDonald, who has not succumbed to the lure of big companies and their offers to expand nationwide.
 

Operating for 22 years, the Boulevard Brewery is a must see and a must sip. It offers different types of beers brewed from dark to light, but the highlights are the "smokestacks series" or hand-crafted smoked beers and the unfiltered one which is light, pleasant to the palate, with occasional hints of citrus that make it unique and refreshing.  The brewery offers a rare spectacle: the possibility of seeing the entire production, from the cold room where they store the wheat and cereals, to the classic bottling assembly line. The atmosphere is friendly and familiar because you really feel that you are among friends when you walk down the factory floor and meet workers who always have a positive attitude, a willingness to answer the strangest questions you might have.

 

The IPA and PALE (my favorite) are very specific and can accompany a filet mignon or roast venison. You can visit it by booking tours and tastings, but if you happen to be in one of the 21 States of America that offers this beer, I strongly suggest you try it because its taste will take you back to the image of Missouri and Kansas homelands of jazz and blues.