According to head brewer for Martin City Brewing Company Nick Vaughn, taking inspiration from the Belgian style of brewing keeps them creative.
“Not being held to traditions, or confined to style guidelines, and just letting the beer be shaped by a yeast allows us to keep a beer lineup that is unique and exciting,” Vaughn says.
An idea for a new MCBC beer can really start anywhere.
“Sometimes a beer is created after suggestions or feedback from customers. Sometimes one of our brewery team members has an idea they want to try. And sometimes it's just experimenting with flavor profiles or bringing back a beer of ours that we loved in the past but trying something a little different with the recipe,” Creative Director Lynne Pierce says.
The brewery was opened in 2014 by Matt Moore and Chance Adams out of a desire for bolder, local beer. Today, their core offerings include Hard Way IPA, Abbey Ale and Survival Blond among others. As warmer, springtime weather fills the upcoming forecast, Pierce recommends their Yes Way José and Block Party beers because they’re crisp, light and refreshing. She notes that for this year’s release of Yes Way José, a Mexican Style Lager, there’s an extra hint of lime.
Their four locations (Lee’s Summit, Mission Farms as well as two restaurants in Martin City) also serve food. Their menus have options for everyone, such as a smoked salmon BLT sandwich, spicy chicken wrap, veggie pizza and a dessert pizza. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the restaurant industry, with restrictions on indoor dining and the stay-at-home order last year, Martin City Brewing Company was able to adapt and continued to focus on their curbside and delivery services.
“We could not have ever imagined the support that we would receive from our customers and community and are so thankful for them each and every day,” Pierce says. “With four restaurants across the metro, we are now able to be that friendly, neighborhood spot for so many people. Our goal is, and always has been, to serve Kansas City a craft beer that they’ll love, and the response to what we have built has been more than we could ask for. Our customers are what keep us growing, improving and experimenting so that we can bring them the best food, drink and experience possible.”
While customers have remained loyal throughout the pandemic, Pierce says they’ve learned not to take providing a complete indoor dining experience for their friends, family and community for granted.
“We are so appreciative of the support they’ve shown through these unprecedented times, but we just can’t wait to safely and comfortably have our restaurants full and be a place that friends and families can go to reconnect,” she says.