KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 / NEWS
3
BUSINESS
Free State bottles hit shelves in Lawrence
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts street, recently began distributing its own beer in bottles at local liquor stores. The brewery, which was established in 1989, now offers four of its beers — Ad Astra Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Copperhead Pale Ale and Wheat State Golden — at many local stores.
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
Local microbrewery and restaurant Free State Brewing Co. has taken its product off tap for the first time ever. On May 21, four of owner Chuck Magerl's beers hit the shelves in bottles at local liquor stores.
Free State's beers had previously only been available at Free State, 636 Massachusetts St., in kegs and 64-ounce growlers, as well as at several area bars on tap. The first 1,600 cases of bottles were delivered in Lawrence the Thursday before going on sale at $7.99 for a six pack.
"It's something we've been working on for quite a few years," Magerl said. "As we watched some of the changes with regards to people entertaining more at home and things like that, bottles seemed like a wise step to take. There's an increasing appreciation for craft beers and full-flavored foods, and our beers fit right in with that."
Free State's four top-selling beers - Wheat State Golden, Ad Astra Ale, Oatmeal Stout and Copperhead Pale Ale - will soon be released in Topeka and Kansas City, Kans., and will likely make their way south to Wichita sometime in June. Magerl said that with continued success, he would look into expanding well beyond the state of Kansas.
"It's something that we intend to build the business in the future," Magerl said. "We'll do it as our capacity and our ability to do a good job in the marketplace allows us to grow."
Magerl did not offer any specific numbers, but said that early returns were positive for the continued growth of Free State bottle distribution.
"So far the response has been very
good." Magerl said. "We've been distributing solely within the city of Lawrence and it's been a welcome response from the locals."
The popularity of microbrews — such as Kansas City's Boulevard Brewery - played a major role in Magerl's decision to start producing bottles. The connection is not lost on students.
"This shows that local breweries can expand and be successful," David Heckathorn, a senior from Derby, said. "They make good beers and should be able to share them with liquor stores and other bars. I think if they can keep it up they could end up like Boulevard."
Ryan Shaughnessy, a manager at On the Rocks liquor store, 1818 Massachusetts St., said that even though he had high expectations for the Free State beer, the enthusiasm shown by customers during the first three weeks had
been overwhelming.
Shaughnessy said that despite the remarkable popularity of Free State beers, there were no plans to take advantage of the high demand by raising prices.
"It's been selling outrageously," Shaughnessy said. "We can barely keep it on the shelves. We definitely knew that it was going to be popular, but it's just been blowing away all of our expectations."
Summer bus routes change with fewer drivers and students
BY SHANNA LARSON slarson@kansan.com
Casey Engelken will have to start waking up earlier in order to catch a bus for classes this summer. Engelken, a junior from Topeka, rides the route 41 Park & Ride Express buses year round, but has to wait an extra 30 minutes in the summer semester because of reduced bus circulation.
"It's not as convenient as the regular school year when I can pretty much catch a bus anytime I want, but it is nice that the buses still run so I don't have to buy a parking pass just for the summer," Engelken said.
TRANSPORTATION
During the summer, the buses still run, but operate with fewer drivers and different routes to meet the needs of the students who depend on KU on Wheels. The routes for the summer are designed to stop at most of the main student living areas in Lawrence in order to provide service for the largest number of students.
"Coordination with the city.
SUMMER BUS ROUTES
Route 11 northbound: stops at four locations and travels from South Iowa, to campus, then downtown
Route 11 southbound stops at five locations and travels from downtown, to campus, then South Iowa
Route 31 northbound:
stops at four locations and travels from Kasold, to campus, then West 7th
Route 31 southbound: stops at four locations and travels from West 7th, to campus, then Kasold
Park & Ride Express:
stops at four locations and travels from West 7th, to campus,
then Kasold with stops every 30 minutes
makes the summer routes possible." Derek Meier, university transportation coordinator, said.
The five routes that run while
SEE BUSES ON PAGE 10
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