What is the Tour de Brew KC?

  • Sunday, May 19 at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester, Kansas City, MO 64120
  • 15, 33 and 63 mile tours, details below
  • Includes lunch & 2 bev­er­ages at end party
  • Rest stops with food, limited beer tasting
  • Roving support
  • T-shirt if you reg­is­ter by May 5
  • Maps with self-guided tour information
  • Benefits BikeWalkKC

The Tour de Brew KC, is a point to point bicycle tour of Kansas City’s brew­eries, his­toric brewing land­marks and other brew­e­ri­ana and is lauded as the “first of its kind in the region.”

Participants in the Tour de Brew KC can learn about the rich history of brewing in Kansas City and hear the stories and urban legends sur­round­ing brewing in Kansas City. On the tour you hear about the “wettest block in the world,” the link between beer and base­ball and where Kansas City’s only Alligator pit was.

On Sunday, May 19, the Tour de Brew KC starts and ends at Knuckleheads Saloon in the East Bottoms. All par­tic­i­pants cruise through the City Market, meander beside his­toric build­ings in the West Bottoms,  and pass by some of the most famous (beer) insti­tu­tions in Kansas City. The main tour takes riders past Boulevard Brewing Company, and the longer tour zips past Westport, to Martin City Brewing Company and Family Bicycles. The Tour de Brew KC has plenty of fun, themed rest stops, docents to help tell the story of KC brewing and many guides to help you along the way. Details below.

At the end of the Tour de Brew KC par­tic­i­pants and the public cel­e­brate not only the end of the Tour de Brew KC, but also the end of Bike Week events for the region. Tour par­tic­i­pants can choose lunch from several vendors includ­ing SPIN! Pizza and bev­er­ages from Boulevard Brewing or Tallgrass Brewing Company. Massages and music will also be available.

Proceeds from the Tour de Brew KC will benefit BikeWalkKC, who work to make Greater Kansas City a safer and more enjoy­able place to walk, bike, and live.

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The Lager tour is 15 miles and hits all the high­lights of brewing history in Kansas City. Roll by old brew­eries, ice houses and dis­cover the best of Kansas City’s rich brewing history in a cool tour of Kansas City’s urban core. This tour will take you from the East Bottoms to the River Market, West Bottoms, Crossroads, down­town and will return by the man­sions of former beer mag­nates. Be sure to take the three mile detour to North Kansas City’s newest brewery, Big Rip.  Start time 10:00 a.m.

IPA Tour is 33 miles, and the best of both worlds. This tour hits the his­toric high­lights then stops for refresh­ments in Westport at McCoy’s. The ride con­tin­ues through lovely older neigh­bor­hoods south of the Plaza to Family Bicycles in his­toric Waldo. Then you return to Knuckleheads through Brookside, by the Nelson Atkins Museum and by lovely old homes in Kansas City’s famous his­toric neigh­bor­hoods. Start time 9:00 a.m.

Dunkel is 63 miles long and is for those ham­mer­heads who want to get in some miles and learn about beer history. This route takes you past the major high­lights, along scenic Blue River Road to be wel­comed with treats at the Trailside Center. Then onto Martin City Brewing Company to fill your water bottle and get a snack. After that, you start your return on the beau­ti­ful streets of south­ern Johnson County to be wel­comed at Family Bicycles. Then finish the tour riding through his­toric neigh­bor­hoods of Kansas City. Start time 7:00 a.m.

For all three routes com­muter, touring, hybrid and moun­tain bikes are rec­om­mended, but not nec­es­sary. There are some rail­road cross­ings and rough spots. The tour can be ridden with skinny tires but bring some tubes and a pump!