If “Brewed By A Girl” means getting more breweries like Servaes, then Kansas would be lucky for more females to take up the craft. Servaes, sitting in downtown Shawnee, Kansas, is a funky and fun vibe plunked amongst several other breweries within rock-throwing distance. This would make a great day trip for a craft beer enthusiast.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to stay in Shawnee long. Still, we did decide to stop in for our first experience at this brewery, which specializes in off-the-wall sours and exciting flavor combos illustrated by the Blue Curacao Margarita Sour sitting on the menu.
Chatting up the incredibly friendly staff, we were informed there were no standard beers at Servaes. They brew something different all the time and occasionally bring back beers, but patrons never know what is coming around the corner from head brewer Courtney Servaes, who began brewing in 2012, according to their website.
WAW: Being the adventurous type, I started with the Blue Curacao Margarita Sour (5% ABV) as it was the most off-the-wall beer offered on the menu, in my opinion, and I was in the mood to jump head first into this brewery.
This beer came out with a green hue, which set the tone for a sour that was more sweet than tart but very refreshing with a hint of salt. My first thought was this would make a great beer slushy and was crushable on any day. If they set out to do a funky margarita-inspired beer, then they hit this one perfectly.
My next selection was tamer, as I decided to try the 1929 (5% ABV) NEPIA brewed in honor of Old Shawnee Days, according to the menu.
I don’t know know what Old Shawnee Days is, but I didn’t particularly care, as this solid NEIPA hit the right notes on a hot day. The beer is supposed to be a cross between a Witbier and a NEIPA, but I think it reads more like a NEIPA, but the cross might explain why it wasn’t as hazy or juicy as I expected when I ordered.
Regardless, it was a nice light citrusy IPA that I enjoyed, but I must admit isn’t something I probably would order again. The number one thing I learned visiting Servaes is that they try different stuff and they push boundaries. If you don’t like something or maybe only would want one on a trip, don’t worry, as they will push that beer off the menu and put something else wild in its place. If I lived closer, this would be somewhere I would bring my friends on the regular.
If you are looking for food, Servaes has no kitchen, but don’t despair, as there are a multitude of restaurants all within a few blocks that you can bring in to pair with your beers.
We chose to order the Tuscan Chicken Pizza from Old Shawnee Pizza for our dinner, and it didn’t disappoint. Just remember: bring your own plates and napkins if that is something you care about.
CP: Being a dark beer fiend, I’m often nervous about brewery hopping in the summer. It makes it feel more like a treasure hunt than when the weather is colder.
My first beer, though was a nice, malty offering, A Maibock is a Maibock (7% ABV), and the name was perfect for the brew. It was most certainly a maibock, but it was a well-done version. There was a little bit of a hop profile on the back end, but it wasn’t egregious, and it was definitely something I would order again, given the chance.
The next beer I tried fell into a bit more of the adventurous category, as it was a pub ale brewed with pizza crusts from local pizza joint Ole Shawnee Pizza. Since we were enjoying one of their pies we picked up to go, I figured it was only right that I drank an In Pizza, We Crust: Half-Baked Ale (5% ABV).
This beer was super bready on the nose, and despite its light coloring, it had lots of malt character without being too heavy. There was just a bit of a lingering after taste on it (probably from all the bread), but it wasn’t unpleasant or overpowering. This was one of those beers that I really appreciate on a hot day. It wasn’t super heavy, and it really hit the spot with my slice of pizza.
Final Assessment
Normie Factor: No. We wouldn’t bring a Bud Light drinker here.
Freak Flag: 7/10
Vibe Check: 9/10
Smashability: 8/10
Poor ’til Payday: $$
Munchies: N/A (order from one of the local establishments and bring it in)
Other good info
Date Visited: June 8, 2023
Is there to-go beer? No growlers. To-go cans available.
Website: https://www.servaesbrewco.com/
Address: 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS
Parking and Public Transportation: Street parking
Below are the beers, so you can get an idea of the crazy offerings at Servaes that were on tap when we visited.
