Topeka is home to one of the nation’s top breweries. Yes, the nation. Blind Tiger is that good, and they have the hardware to show it.
Blind Tiger won Brewery and Brewer of the Year in the 2022 Great American Beer Festival in the 1,001-2000 barrels classification. They have countless awards from the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. There are more awards and recognition than I care to put in this post. The point is, beer people know good beer, and Blind Tiger has good beer.
If I am near Topeka, there is a good chance I will find a reason to stop at this place for at least one beer. Such was the case when I was on my way back from a conference in Nebraska and I could take a route that put me right through Topeka on the way home.
I couldn’t stay long and, unfortunately, wasn’t there during mealtime (the food is pretty good if you are, though), so I just hung out by myself at the bar for a couple of beers to break up my long road trip.
I chose to start with the Zusammenarbeit Bier (5.2 ABV) which is German for collaboration beer. This collaboration was with Wichita Brewing Company (another one of our favorites) and was crisp, clean and super easy to drink. The German pilsner was served from a side pour faucet in a tall pilsner glass. They claim the slow pour method was made famous by the Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver. It’s apparently a slower pour, and they claim it’s worth the wait. I haven’t had the beer poured any other way, so I couldn’t tell you if there is a real difference or not. Sounds good, though.
There were several beers I would have liked to try if I had the time and someone else to drive, but I decided to have the Smoke Follows Beauty (6.5 ABV) as my final beer.
This smelled like a campfire and was very smoky on the nose. I am usually hit-and-miss with smoked beers, and I was nervous based on the nose that I wouldn’t like this. It did warm to me after a sip or two but wouldn’t be a beer I would go back to if I lived closer and could be a regular at Blind Tiger. This beer is heavily awarded as excellent for the style, so my guess is that I am more miss with smoked beers than hit and my feelings toward it are personal preference and not a real reflection on the beer. I am glad I tried it but wish Clem would have been around, as she would have loved it, and I could have just had a few sips and ordered something different. Oh, well.
If you can’t tell, I will straight evangelize about Blind Tiger to anyone who will listen. It’s arguably my favorite brewery in the state. The beer menu is full of amazing offerings no matter what you like typically, and the maibock is one of my favorite beers ever. I wish I could buy it in a six-pack at my local liquor store, but Blind Tiger doesn’t do any distribution that I am aware of.
Run, don’t walk to Blind Tiger. This is a true gem of Kansas, as we are lucky to have it. Wish it was closer.
Also, Blind Tiger is the inspiration for our blog name. I have loved this sign, hanging in their bar area, ever since I first walked through the doors over a decade ago.
Final Assessment
Normie Factor: They have a lot of offerings and all brewed well. Someone can find something they like.
Freak Flag: 9/10 (not on this trip, but I had a basil beer years ago from here that was to die for. They make a lot of crazy and fun stuff)
Vibe Check: 7/10
Smashability: 9/10
Poor ’til Payday: $$
Munchies: Full menu of bar food, steaks, and barbeque offerings when I was there.
Other good info
Date Visited: October 6, 2023
Is there to-go beer? Yes. Growers and Squeelers are available for purchase.
Website: https://www.blindtiger.com/
Address: 417 SW 37th St. Topeka, KS
Parking and Public Transportation: There is a large parking lot next to the building.
