Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau
A collaboration between eight of Kansas’ small-town breweries will recognize Kansas Day with a fundraiser to benefit the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
Eight Kansas breweries are working on special beers to be released in honor of Kansas Day, the commemoration of Kansas becoming the 34th state on Jan. 29, 1861. The beers and special activities at each brewery will highlight Kansas products, Kansas trivia, and more to celebrate the state’s birthday.
Most of the events will take place at the participating breweries between Jan. 25 and Jan. 29. The participating breweries are:
- Center Pivot Restaurant & Brewery, Quinter
- Defiance Brewing Company, Hays
- Hidden Trail Brewing, Garden City
- Irrigation Ales, Courtland
- Ladybird Brewing, Winfield
- Riverbank Brewing, Council Grove
- Sandhills Brewing, Hutchinson
- The Farm & The Odd Fellows, Minneapolis
“For more than 160 years, Kansas’ statehood has been celebrated in a variety of ways, from square dancing, and butter churning at grade schools across the state to eating distinctly Kansas foods like chili and cinnamon rolls,” said Sarah Green, co-director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. “Getting out to explore something you enjoy is a year-round activity, but it’s something special when it happens around Kansas Day.”
In addition to the beers to be released, each brewery will be supporting the work of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, an organization that has preserved and sustained rural culture for 30 years. The breweries will donate proceeds from beer sales to support their work of educating Kansans about Kansas and networking with and supporting rural communities.
"Kansas is geographically the heart of America. When you are born and raised here, you appreciate the landscape, the culture, the creativity, and the generational work ethic. It is humbling meeting out-of-state travelers who praise the kindness and generosity of our citizens. Whether they are exploring Kansas for business or pleasure, I know I picked the right state to call home when we are referred to as the 'nicest people we've met in our travels.' That speaks volumes about our state!” said Brett Straight, brand master at Defiance Brewing Company in Hays, Kansas.
Straight adds “Here at Defiance, we celebrate Kansas and the people who call it home all year-round with our American Wheat Beer, Kansan. It's brewed in honor of the people who give the heart of America its pulse."
The breweries will take part in special promotions as part of the event, including commemorative glassware, trivia contests, and more. Kansans are invited to send selfies of themselves from the participating breweries to [email protected] anytime between Jan. 15 and Feb. 29 for a chance to win merchandise and prizes. For a full listing of events, visit https://linktr.ee/kansas.sampler.foundation.