Weston Brewing Company | Kansas City

Weston Brewing Company – Detailed Exploration

Nestled in the small river town of Weston, Missouri, the Weston Brewing Company is a living piece of American brewing history. It represents a rare fusion of 19th-century heritage and contemporary craft brewing culture, all set within the scenic bluffs of the Missouri River Valley. Despite being located in Missouri, its proximity to Kansas City makes it a favorite destination for travelers from Kansas as well.

Historical Background

The brewery was originally founded in 1842 by German immigrant John Georgian. He arrived with knowledge of European lagering methods and quickly set about building one of the earliest lager breweries in the U.S. This was a time when beer was typically brewed only in the colder months due to the lack of refrigeration. To solve this, Georgian constructed a network of five limestone cellars, 55 feet beneath the surface, where the constant cool temperature was ideal for storing and fermenting lager beer year-round.

The brewery operated under different names and owners, eventually becoming known as Royal Brewery in the early 20th century. It was a flourishing operation until Prohibition forced its closure in 1919. For decades, the property sat in a state of disuse, its cellars forgotten by many. That changed in the early 2000s when local entrepreneurs Michael Coakley and Corey Weinfurt purchased the site, restoring it to its former glory and reopening it as the Weston Brewing Company in 2005.

Brewery and Beers

The modern facility is equipped with a 25-barrel brewing system, yet the entire operation remains deeply tied to its roots. Brewing takes place in the same general vicinity as the historic structures, and the beer is lagered (aged) using natural methods when appropriate.

Signature beers include:

O’Malley’s Irish Cream Ale, a smooth and mildly sweet beer with a creamy finish.

Drop Kick Ale, a lighter, golden ale originally brewed in collaboration with the Kansas City Wizards soccer team.

Opening Day Pale Ale, crisp and citrus-forward, typically released in the spring.

Burley Porter, a rich, dark beer with strong notes of roasted malt and coffee.

O’Malley’s IPA, balanced with floral hop bitterness.

Special releases and seasonal brews rotate throughout the year, such as St. Brigid’s Irish Red Ale, a springtime malt-forward ale, and Father Mescan’s Bog Myrtle Ale, made using ancient herbs in place of hops.

O’Malley’s 1842 Underground Pub

Perhaps the most iconic feature of the brewery is O’Malley’s 1842 Pub, built within the original limestone cellars. Visitors descend through a narrow stone tunnel into a deep, cavernous space that was originally constructed to keep beer cool before the advent of refrigeration.

The pub feels more like an Irish speakeasy than a modern bar. With dim lighting, thick stone walls, and hand-crafted wood fixtures, the atmosphere is immersive and historical. The acoustics in the cellar make it a perfect venue for live Irish and folk music, which is performed regularly on weekends. Darts, local characters, and cold pints served in glass mugs enhance the sense of timelessness.

American Bowman Restaurant

Above ground, visitors will find the American Bowman Restaurant, a full-service eatery inspired by frontier traditions and Irish-American comfort food. The restaurant's décor is warm and rustic, with wooden beams, lodge-style seating, and walls filled with historical memorabilia.

Menu items are hearty and flavorful. Favorites include shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, Guinness bratwurst, bangers and mash, and hand-dipped fish and chips. For lighter options, the menu also features fresh salads, pub pretzels, and grilled sandwiches. Beer pairings are encouraged and the servers are well-versed in matching the brewery’s offerings to your meal.

Brewery Tours

For those interested in the behind-the-scenes process and rich backstory, tours are available on Saturdays, typically at 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes a walk through the brewing facility, detailed commentary on the original cellars, and access to several underground rooms not typically open to the public. One particularly intriguing stop is a "hidden" fourth cellar, which has been preserved almost exactly as it was left during Prohibition.

Tours usually conclude with a tasting, and guests are given the opportunity to ask questions, explore the cellars freely, and enjoy a pint in O’Malley’s afterward.

Live Events and Festivals

Weston Brewing Company is not just a place to drink beer-it’s a cultural hub for the town of Weston and the surrounding region. It hosts a variety of special events throughout the year.

The Weston Irish Festival, held every October, is one of the largest celebrations of Irish culture in the Midwest. Multiple stages, dozens of bands, traditional food and drink, Irish dancing, and more draw crowds from across the state.

Throughout the rest of the year, the brewery holds St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, craft beer launches, and live music weekends. The atmosphere varies depending on the season-from quiet, candlelit evenings in winter to energetic outdoor beer garden gatherings in summer.

Exploring Weston

The town of Weston itself is part of the charm. Originally a bustling Missouri River port and trading post, it now offers a serene and walkable experience with preserved 1800s architecture. Visitors often combine a visit to the brewery with stops at Pirtle Winery, housed in an old church, and the McCormick Distillery, one of the oldest operating distilleries west of the Mississippi River.

Weston also offers boutique shops, antique stores, scenic walking trails, and nearby Weston Bend State Park, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Missouri River Valley.

Overall Experience

Visiting Weston Brewing Company is like stepping into a well-preserved time capsule. The commitment to preserving its 1840s character while serving modern craft beer is rare and deeply satisfying. The underground pub, atmospheric music, and hearty food create an experience that’s as much about the setting as it is about the beer. Whether you’re on a weekend getaway, a historic trail, or a brewery tour circuit, this destination offers depth, character, and genuine Midwestern hospitality.