As the year marches toward an end there is a swelling eagerness to start brewing again. Without a doubt it has been a whirlwind of a year and while we’ve accomplished a lot to become a brewery, there’s still a lot of work ahead to become a functioning brewery. I’ve talked with fellow brewers about their startup journey and many mention that it’s a weird feeling to not be around the physical (i.e. brewing) side of beer for an extended period of time, but it makes you appreciate the numerous cogs that work together to keep a brewery (and buildout) in motion.

Time is certainly moving fast and we are in a good position to open in late spring. We fortunately dodged the TTB shutdown as we were issued our Brewer’s Permit earlier this month. We’re also getting closer to completing our buildout and over the next two months we’ll start receiving and installing equipment (fermenters, brewhouse, glycol, boiler). The tasting room has been a personal project for us since we’re taking on a majority of the interior finishes. We’ve had countless friends and family help paint, scrape floors, and build our bar. We view our tasting room as the “soul” of the brewery and we want to make sure it is the best reflection of Alma Mader. 

The last update that I have is a bit of an unveiling.  In a few weeks we’ll be brewing our first collaboration (brewery to be announced). Obviously this will mark our first official collaboration beer, but this will also highlight our intentional approach to collaborations that we are deeming “Meeting of the Minds.” Our collaboration series will be rooted in an approach that puts learning and exploration at the forefront. In this way, we can use collaborations to improve and gain knowledge as a brewery by working with like-minded brewers, winemakers, distillers, chefs, coffee roasters, bakers and others that are immersed in the world of food and fermentation science.  It will also provide wonderful opportunities to connect with all of the local artisans that keep rising to the surface here in Kansas City.

I wish everyone a happy New Year and we’ll see you in 2019!

Cheers,

Nick Mader