USA, KS: Central Standard Brewing expanding its distribution in Wichita

Central Standard Brewing’s popular craft beers will soon be available in more Wichita watering holes, The Wichita Eagle reported on January 30.

Starting in a couple of weeks, the Wichita brewery will introduce its beer on tap in three of Wichita’s favorite beer-friendly bars. The Anchor will be first on Feb. 15, followed by Public at the Brickyard on Feb. 16 and Dempsey’s Burger Pub on Feb. 17.

The brewery’s owners and crew will be at each bar for the tapping events, and they’ll be passing out Central Standard swag.

Home brewers Andy Boyd and Ian Crane opened Central Standard in the summer at 156 S. Greenwood, later partnering with local brew master Nathan Jackel. They’ve quickly earned a reputation for their beers, and their cavernous, 4,000-foot-space, formerly an industrial building, has become one of Wichita’s most trendy hangouts. Owners built an attractive bar and filled the rest of the space with mismatched, retro tables, chairs, couches and easy chairs. On nice days, the brewery can open a giant garage door that leads out onto a big patio, and a local food truck is almost always parked outside during peak dining hours.

House of Schwan’s import and craft brand manager Steven Haines approached Central Standard early and is now working on getting their beers – as well as beers from most of Wichita’s other craft brewers – distributed around town. Central Standard has plans to expand even beyond the three bars it starts off in.

Brooke Russell, who owns Public at the Brickyard with her husband, Travis Russell, and partner Drew Thompson, said that she and Crane grew up together in Winfield and were high school classmates. They’ve been good friends ever since, and she has long been a fan of Crane’s beer.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” she said. “They’re obviously taking Wichita’s beer scene by storm.”

More details about the tapping events are coming, Central Standard’s owners said. But Public already has its release party details posted. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 16, they’ll tap Central Standard’s Meadowlark saison, Wizard of Hops IPA and Stand-Up tripel. After the tap release, Russell said, the bar will dedicate one tap to Central Standard, which is an unusual move because Public usually changes taps out frequently. Russell says they’ll likely start with the IPA.

Public’s event also will include food specials, pairing suggestions and music from Aaron Lee Martin starting at 8:30 p.m.

03 February, 2016