Free State Brewery to expand distribution

By Calvin McConnell

Monday, February 22, 2010

Lawrence’s downtown brewery will no longer ask its customers to lug a “growler” or haul a keg to their front doors in order to drink award-winning beer at home. Free State Brewing Co. anticipates beginning bottle distribution to Kansas and Missouri vendors sometime this April.

Beer lovers can currently find Free State brews on-tap at nine Lawrence locations, but with a new distribution deal, the company plans to expand its reach significantly. In addition to its bottling efforts, the brewery will also offer draft beer at bars in Kansas City, St. Louis and other Missouri locations starting early March.

The bottling operation was initially delayed last April by a fire at the company’s bottling plant, but the brewery has bounced back and is now set to shelf its product.

Free State Brewery owner Chuck Magerl said the company would start with a simple bottle variety and later bottle a series of seasonal beers and limited edition specialty beers.

“We’ll be featuring Ad Astra Ale, Wheat State Golden, Oatmeal Stout and Copperhead Pale Ale,” Magerl said.

Magerl said the initial four varieties of bottled beers, and the company’s Stormwatch IPA, would be those made available on-tap in Kansas City and St. Louis establishments. No word has yet been released on the specific bars in Kansas City that will carry the company’s beers on-tap.

Hatti Pringle, a graduate student in Social Welfare from Wichita, said she was happy to see the brewery increase its product reach across the state border.

“I’m excited that a little piece of Lawrence is going to be found in Kansas City,” Pringle said.

On The Rocks liquor store, 1818 Mass St., as well as Mass Beverage, 3131 Nieder Rd, will both carry Free State Brewing Co. bottles when they hit the market in April.

“It’s going to be one of our top-shelf beers,” said Ryan Shaughnessy, manager of On the Rocks. “The six-packs will probably go for somewhere between $7 and $9.”

Although local support seems strong for the plan, it is still a risk for Magerl. Free State Brewing Co. has stuck to its staple in-house dining and drinking setup for more than two decades, securing a spot on the beverage palates of locals, but not seriously investing in regional appeal.

The brewery owner said he hoped to eventually expand distribution to Nebraska and Iowa, but for now is focused on Kansas and Missouri growth and the essentials of his profession.

“If we’re successful in the bottling efforts, it will allow us to continue to make a living doing something we love, engaged in the science and craft of brewing,” Magerl said.

— Edited by Becky Howlett

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