Up North Brewery takes over previous Big Rip space
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Cheers to local beers. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
A new brewery has quietly opened in North Kansas City in place of The Big Rip, a brewhouse that generated lots of buzz when it announced its closure last summer.
Why it matters: Its transformation and reopening as Up North Brewery adds one more local craft beer business back to KC, bucking the national trend of a contracting industry.
Context: Up North opened in December with a bright yellow paint job, new interior decor and a food menu, manager Haven Nelson tells Axios.
- It's a far cry from The Big Rip's dark fantasy themes, which is on purpose: "It felt a little too niche," Nelson says, adding that he leaned heavily into vintage, homey decor to help it feel "community-centric."
- Nelson's father, Shawn Nelson, is the owner of Up North and previously part-owner of The Big Rip.
Zoom in: The Big Rip's previous manager and brewer, Bri Burrows, moved out of state, but not before teaching the new brewer, Daniel Morrison, some of her recipes, Nelson says.
- For now, some of The Big Rip's staple beers remain on tap under new names, including Frost Point (formerly Zelda Cream Ale), Northern Hefe (Hefe the Killer), and a gluten-free beer now called Fuego Verde.
- Previous patrons who know the deep cuts can still ask for a Velvet Elvis, a mix of the cream and brown ales that makes a sweet, nutty concoction.
Dig in: New to the brewery are hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads.
- Being next to a barbecue restaurant has its advantages — the brewery uses Hawg Jaw sauce and pulled pork in two sandwiches, with hopes to bring in more local businesses as suppliers.
- Nelson says he wants to add more local vendors, like bakeries and produce, to drive his community-focused messaging.
💭 My thought bubble: I tried the KC Cuban, a sandwich with a kick that left my lips tingling and tastebuds satisfied.
- The beer is bold in flavor, something Morrison no doubt learned during his time at Martin City Brewing.
What's next: Nelson says they will start hosting events in their event space and parking lot, including the band Noland on March 13.
If you go: It's open 3pm–9pm Monday–Thursday, 11am–10pm Friday and Saturday, and 11am–8pm Sunday.