Brewhouse One – Coconut Pandan Doughnut Ale
A collaboration with Slow Rise
Coconut Pandan Doughnut Ale: A Collaboration with Slow Rise
“Sure, abs are great, but have you ever tried doughnuts?”
– Anonymous
Who doesn’t love doughnuts? And who doesn’t love beer? What happens when you bring these two beloved treats together? The answer: Pandan Coconut Doughnut Ale, a one-of-a-kind creation that blurs the lines between pastry and pint. The latest release in our Brewhouse One Series is a collaborative masterpiece between Boulevard Brewing Company and Slow Rise Doughnuts, very well known for their hand-crafted small batch sourdough doughnuts.
“Doughnuts are the one ring to rule them all”
-Anonymous
Slow Rise is the brainchild of Jessica and Jeff, a husband-and-wife team whose doughnut journey began with a simple sourdough starter gifted by a friend in 2022. What started as a fun experiment turned into a full-fledged passion project. Jessica’s love for baking – combined with Jeff’s picky doughnut standards – set the stage for a doughnut revolution. From the Lawrence Farmer’s Market to pop-ups across KC, Slow Rise quickly built a devoted following, thanks to its 72-hour fermented sourdough base and unique flavors like ube and pandan.
The name “Slow Rise” is a nod to the long fermentation process their dough undergoes, but is also speaks to the patient, steady growth of their business. “It may sound cheesy, but our doughnuts are truly a labor of love” says Jessica.
“Whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust… but I’d rather fall into a box of doughnuts.”
-Inspired by John Webster
Boulevard Innovation brewer Greg Garrity is no stranger to pushing boundaries when it comes to beer. When he reached out to Slow Rise with the idea of brewing a beer with actual doughnuts, Jessica had to read the email twice before running to show Jeff. “To say that we were excited is an understatement,” she recalls. “Teaming up with one of Kansas City’s icons is a dream collaboration for a small business like ours.”
But this partnership goes beyond just throwing doughnuts into the mash. The beer is inspired by one of Slow Rise’s signature flavors: Pandan Coconut. For Jessica, pandan is more than just an ingredient – it’s a connection to her Southeast Asian roots. “Growing up, pandan was in almost every dessert and baked good I ate. It’s often referred to as the ‘vanilla of Southeast Asia,’ but it has a unique nutty, floral aroma that pairs beautifully with coconut.”
“The optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole.”
-Oscar Wilde (paraphrased)
Greg knew from the beginning that this beer had to capture the essence of pandan without overwhelming the palate. “We wanted the pandan to shine without being too dominating – just like in Slow Rise’s doughnuts,” he explained. To get it just right, he worked closely with Jessica, sourcing fresh pandan leaves and making a tincture to extract the best aroma and flavor. The toasted coconut was added in the whirlpool, allowing it to complement, rather than overpower, the pandan.
But working with real doughnuts and fresh pandan leaves presented some challenges too. “Leaves are tough to work with, and all agricultural products pose a risk when it comes to brewing sanitation,” Greg admits. “It’s all about figuring out your kill step for bacteria.” Despite these hurdles, the result is a beer unlike anything Boulevard has ever released!
The recipe for this beer is quite simple really. The beer is 80% Pale Malt, the remaining malt bill is equal parts carapils, malted oats and malted wheat. One variety of hops and… *checks notes*… 500 Slow Rise Sourdough doughnuts in the boil. Pandan leaves and coconut were added during fermentation. That’s it. Just as simple as the 72 hours of fermentation that Slow Rise’s sourdough goes through, helping to develop its signature tangy taste and delicate crumbs. Ingredient Info: Malt: Pale, Carapils, Malted Oats, and Malted Wheat. Hops: Tradition Dry-hopping: Coconut and Pandan Leaves. Adjuncts Slow Rise Doughnuts and Lactose
But what will it taste like?
If you’re a fan of Slow Rise’s Pandan Coconut Doughnut, you’re in for a treat. This beer is a sensory delight, featuring:
- A stunning green hue (without any artificial coloring!)
- A sweet, yet balanced profile, reminiscent of vanilla cereal with a nutty, floral aroma
- A luscious mouthfeel, thanks to the doughnuts and coconut infusion
“It’ll be the perfect marriage of ‘Is it a beer? Is it a doughnut?” Greg says. “Very sweet for sure, but not cloying.”
“Doughnuts, is there anything they can’t do?”
-Homer SImpson
While an obvious pairing is a Slow Rise doughnut, Greg suggests branching out. “It’s definitely a dessert beer, so it would pair beautifully with something tart or tropical – passionfruit sorbet, calamansi, lychee. Even a watermelon and goat cheese salad with balsamic vinaigrette could create an amazing contrast.”
Beyond the flavors, this collaboration is about bringing together two beloved crafts – beer and doughnuts – in a way that feels fresh, fun, and unexpected. “When we first introduced pandan to our menu, we thought doughnuts would be the perfect vessel because they’re familiar,” Jessica says. “And now, beer is another exciting way to introduce people to this amazing ingredient.”
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy doughnuts. And that’s kind of the same thing”
-Anonymous
Coconut Pandan Doughnut Ale
9% ABV | $19.99 per 4pk | Available ONLY at the Tours & Rec Center
Join us for Release Day on Sunday March 9th!
Brighten up your weekend with doughnuts and (doughnut) beer! Celebrate these two worlds colliding with a pint and a pastry. We’ll be pouring the beer all day, and Slow Rise will be popping up at 1pm with their coveted creations. Try their fan favorite doughnuts, including the inspiration behind the beer, Coconut Pandan.
1pm Slow Rise Pop-up
Doughnuts for sale + samples of the brew! 1-3 pm (or until sold out!). Run, donut walk.
