USA, KS: Friction Beer Co. already open in downtown Shawnee

The much anticipated Friction Beer Co., located in the former Hartman Hardware building in downtown Shawnee, opened its doors to the public on Saturday, June 24, Flatland KC reported.

The new brewery at 11018 Johnson Drive joins an emerging Johnson County beer district. It’s within a block of both Transport Brewery and Servaes Brewing Co.

Initially, Friction will be open four days a week. The brewery will be open 4-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Saturday hours will be noon until 10 p.m. And it will be open from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Those days and hours could change once the brewery gets into a good groove. As of right now, the brewery is offering full and half pours of beers and is happy to pour you a small taster so long as you ask.

Friction’s opening line up of beers includes:

Dr. Feelgood, a 4.6% ABV strawberry blond
My Aim Is True, a 5.2% ABV milk stout
Policy of Truth, a 5.2% ABV coffee milk stout
Normal Town, a 6.8% ABV IPA

Friction already has new beers fermenting for release soon. They’re also currently pouring a guest beer from 805 Brewing in addition to their own.

Non-beer drinkers will have options at Friction. On the alcoholic side, they’ll be offering canned cocktails, wine and a fine selection of bourbons. Sodas are available for non-drinkers. Although Friction doesn’t currently offer any non-alcoholic beers, it’s working on low-alcohol beers.

Aside from pre-packaged snacks, Friction does not plan to serve food. But the downtown Shawnee area has plenty of choices and the brewery is more than okay with you bringing outside food in. In fact, Friction has partnered with the recently opened Mother Clucker, a hot chicken joint. Customers who order Mother Clucker while at Friction will receive a special discount.

The brewery eventually plans on opening up its second floor, which will feature a beer hall, event space and patio. There is no timetable on when that part will open, but it will not be this year.

27 June, 2023