Celebrating 35 Years of Boulevard Brewing Company

Feelin’ fine since 1989.

Year after year, beer after beer.

By Adam Hall

November 12, 2024

Thirty-five years ago, Boulevard Brewing Company tapped the first keg of Pale Ale in Kansas City, and in that moment, a dream came to life. With determination, a passion for brewing, and a belief that great beer could bring people together, we embarked on a journey that would go on to impact the beer culture in Kansas City, the Midwest, and beyond. Today, Boulevard is more than just a brewery—it’s a community, a tradition, and a testament to what can be built with dedication and creativity.

Night view of an industrial facility with large metal tanks and a tall illuminated chimney displaying the word "Boulevard" repeatedly. City lights are visible in the background.

A Look Back Through Years of Beers

As we reflect on three and a half decades of growth, innovation, and amazing beer and beverages, we’re also reminded of the timeline that has defined our path.

John McDonald in a white shirt moves a keg behind the bar, while several patrons sit at the counter drinking and conversing about their day. A person stands silhouetted in the entrance, and the interior is dimly lit, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Two men are working behind a bar. The man on the left is stacking clear plastic cups while the man on the right, in a blue shirt, is holding a drink mixer. Various bottles are displayed on the shelf behind them. In the foreground, about to serve customers, stands a person with long hair and a pamphlet.

November 17th, 1989

Boulevard founder, John McDonald, famously taps its first keg of Pale Ale at Ponak’s Mexican Restaurant, officially marking the brewery’s entrance into the Kansas City beer scene. Pale Ale was the start of something big in Kansas City, contributing to a craft beer renaissance across the country.

The 1990s

In the early ’90s, Boulevard expanded its lineup with new beers like Irish Ale, Bob’s ’47 Munich Style Lager, Nutcracker Ale, and even a filtered version of Wheat Beer. It was during this time that Boulevard beer became available in bottles, allowing fans to enjoy our brews at home for the first time.

Then, in 1994, John McDonald took a bold step that changed the course of our brewery by releasing an unfiltered version of Wheat Beer. Debuting on draft, Unfiltered Wheat Beer quickly became our flagship, beloved for its refreshing, slightly hazy quality and smooth drinkability. It wasn’t long before it became one of the most popular craft beers in the Midwest, which still rings true for fans today.

The 2000s

The new millennium kicked off a decade of growth and evolution for Boulevard. Unfiltered Wheat Beer was made available in bottles for the first time allowing our fans to enjoy the beer outside of bars and restaurants. With demand for our beer soaring, we needed to expand our capacity. In 2005, we broke ground on our first major expansion, and by the next year, we were brewing on Brewhouse 2, a 150-barrel, state-of-the-art facility. This increased capacity allowed us to launch the Smokestack Series, introducing our drinkers to bolder, more innovative styles like The Sixth Glass, Dark Truth Stout, and the iconic Tank 7 American Saison. Tank 7 quickly gained national acclaim, establishing Boulevard as a leader in the craft beer community.

The 2010s

The 2010s brought an era of collaborations, barrel-aged innovation, and expansion, making Boulevard a national name. In 2014, we joined the Duvel Moortgat family, expanding our distribution and enabling a major facility upgrade with Cellar Five, which nearly doubled our fermentation capacity.

2016 was a big year. Not only did we become the first official craft beer partner of a Major League Baseball team by partnering with our hometown team the Kansas City Royals, but we also welcomed fans to our new Tours & Recreation Center and Beer Hall, offering immersive experiences and a closer look at our brewing process. Our barrel-aging program also flourished, moving to our 175,000-square-foot warehouse with an inventory of over 5,000 bourbon, whiskey, and other spirit barrels. We made our beloved barrel-aged beers more accessible by offering many of them year-round.

Boulevard moving Smokestack series to 6 packs

We also saw the launch of Space Camper Cosmic IPA in 2019, a beer that rocketed into the hearts of IPA lovers and initiated an entire Space Camper Saga of IPAs. This series of innovative IPAs has become one of our most popular lines, loved for its approachable yet exciting recipes, comic book-style inspiration, and adventurous spirit.

The 2020s

Following the 2019 launch of Boulevard Beverage Company and Fling Craft Cocktails, in 2020 we introduced Quirk Hard Seltzer. Crafting a hard seltzer the Boulevard way was our goal, with interesting flavor combinations, craft quality, and real fruit juice leading the way. The enthusiasm for flavors like Strawberry Lemon & Basil and Cherry Blossom & Lime surpassed expectations, with seasonal offerings like Raspberry Rocket Pop becoming Boulevard’s largest single limited release to date. Quirk has since won multiple national awards for its super flavor, become the #1 hard seltzer in Kansas City, and has even broken into the top 10 nationwide!

In 2023 we became a proud partner of the Kansas City Current, and this year our beers and beverages were raised in celebration of the first purpose-built stadium for women’s sports during the team’s first and very successful season in their new home.

A row of Quirk Hard Seltzer cans lined up against a pink background. The flavors displayed from left to right include Superberry, Pineapple Orange Whip, Strawberry Lemon Basil, Raspberry Rocket Pop, Cherry Blossom & Lime, Blackberry Sage, Blueberry Lemon & Lavender, Ginger & Hops, Black Cherry & Vanilla, and Pear Yuzu. Each can boasts vibrant designs reflecting its unique flavor

Milestones in Every Sip

At Boulevard, we’ve always believed that significant milestones deserve to be celebrated with something special—something that captures the essence of who we are and where we’re headed. Our anniversary ales have become a key part of that story, each one marking a moment in time while also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in brewing. Here’s a look back at some of the beers that have helped define our journey:

30th Anniversary Ale (2019)
For our 30th anniversary, we knew we needed to create something that truly stood out. Our 30^th Anniversary Ale was an epic blend of eight barrel-aged beers, crafting a beer that was as big and robust as our legacy. With rich notes of chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon warmth, this beer was an indulgent celebration of three decades of pushing the boundaries of flavor and laid the groundwork for future barrel-aging innovation.

21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale (2010)
Coming of age in the craft beer world, our 21st Anniversary Ale was a celebration of freshness and hops. By using freshly harvested hops, we honored our love for hop-forward beers while offering something uniquely bold and crisp—a statement that Boulevard had truly grown into its own.

Silver Anniversary Ale (2014)
Our 25th anniversary ale was a collaboration with our friends at O’Dell Brewing Company, who as it turns out, turned 25 a day after we did. An American strong ale that delivered a rich malt character with a fresh hop finish. A testament to the beers that were the inspiration for the foundation of each brewery. It was a reflection of how far we’d come, while also laying the groundwork for even more experimentation.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare to mark 35 incredible years, we’ve partnered with our friends at Holladay Distillery to create a beer that represents the culmination of our journey so far. Our 35th Anniversary Ale is a hand-blended, barrel-aged masterpiece, carefully crafted to honor the artistry of brewing and distilling. This beer combines the rich, malty depth of an Imperial Brown Ale with the intense, fruity complexity of a Barleywine, all aged exclusively in Ben Holladay bourbon barrels.

What makes this release truly special is the collaboration between Boulevard’s barrel-aging team and Holladay’s distilling experts. Together, they hand-selected the barrels and carefully blended the beer to perfection, ensuring a balance of rich toffee, caramel, dark fruit, and oak that speaks to the craftsmanship of both teams.

The 35th Anniversary Ale is more than just a beer—it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation. It’s a beer that invites you to savor the journey with us, to taste the history in every sip, and to join us in raising a glass to what’s ahead.

A Toast to the Next 35 Years

Looking back on 35 years, it’s clear that Boulevard’s success has been about more than just brewing great beer—it’s been about the community that has embraced us, the partnerships that have pushed us forward, and the innovation that has kept us inspired. Our 35th Anniversary Ale is a tribute to all of that, and we can’t wait for you to share in the celebration with us.

Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to 35 more years of good beer, great memories, and a future filled with possibility. Cheers!