The rapid success of Martin City Brewing Company (MCBC) is a testament to the rising popularity of craft beer. At least, that’s what co-owner and founder Matt Moore thinks.
“People seem to like the idea of knowing where their food or drinks come from,” said Moore. “When you order a beer at our restaurant, you know exactly where that beer came from…and we believe people like that sort of community feeling.”
Martin City Brewing Company originally opened as a brewpub on June 3rd, 2011 with the help of co-owner Chance Adams. Located at 500 East 135th Street in the South Kansas City community of Martin City, the pub is housed in the heart of town and has become one of Martin City’s busiest restaurants.
Left: MCBC microbrewery, Top right: Original pub, Bottom right: Pizza and Tap room
The brewpub currently has over 50 beers on tap…and you should expect to get their early on weekends if you want to find a seat! The pub is almost always at capacity.
“There used to be at least a two hour wait to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night,” says Moore. “That’s when we [Moore and Adams] realized we needed to find more space.”
So, that’s exactly what they did.
The Pizza & Taproom restaurant has an envious patio!
In January 2014, just a few years after the brewpub opened, the new Pizza + Taproom, along with an on-site microbrewery, opened it’s doors right beside the original brewpub. The microbrewery has a 15 barrel brewing system with fermentation capacity of up to 60 barrels. Their most popular beer has been the Belgian Abbey or Belgian Blonde – their flagship brew.
Boasting a wood-fire oven, and an outdoor patio with fireplace, they have quickly become known for mouth-watering Neapolitan pizzas, and, of course, great beer! Moore says pizza and beer growler deliveries are a local favorite and deliveries have become a big part of the business. The Brewery is also available for private events and can host up to 150 people in their event space.
The bar opens out onto the patio, allowing customers to order from the bar inside…and outside!
A chemical engineer graduate, Nick Vaughn, is the head brewer at MCBC. Vaughn’s fingerprints are on everything from the equipment to the creation of new MCBC beers, ensuring the taste is 100% unique. The head brewer’s strict attention to detail and pure passion of brewing beer has been a huge asset in MCBC’s continued growth.
“There would be no Martin City Brewing Company without Nick [Vaughn],” said Moore. “He’s the reason people have fallen in love with our beer, and why they keep coming back.”
To meet the increased demand for their local beer product, MCBC signed a contract with Central States Beverage to begin distribution in November of 2014. You can now find MCBC beer on tap at local Kansas City favorites like McCoy’s Public House and the Green Lady Lounge. Since distribution began, MCBC has purchased two more beer vats (beer brewing equipment) for the brewery to keep up with sales. They are on target to produce 1,600 barrels of beer by the end of 2015!
MCBC’s impressive beer vats!
“I know we’ll eventually outgrow this space too,” said Moore. “But, that’s something we’ll deal with when the times comes.”
With new beers in store for the Fall season and more partnerships in the works, MCBC’s distribution into the greater Kansas City metro is only just beginning!
*Martin City Brewery offers daily specials you can find on the homepage of their website. MCBC is also social! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on events, new beers and more!