Earlier this month the Vaad KaKashruth of Kansas City announced that Boulevard Brewing Company is now under its kosher supervision.
According to Andy Jenkins, the brewery’s community relations manager, the following Boulevard Brewing Co. beers are now being produced under the strict kosher supervision of the Vaad: Pale Ale, Unfiltered Wheat Beer, Bully! Porter, 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer, Boulevard Pilsner, Amber Ale, Dry Stout, Single-Wide I.P.A., Irish Ale, Boss Tom’s Golden Bock, ZON Belgian-style Witbier, Bob’s ’47 Oktoberfest, Nutcracker Ale, Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, Double-Wide I.P.A., Long Strange Tripel, Dark Truth Ale, The Sixth Glass, Bourbon Barrel Quad, Saison-Brett, Imperial Stout, Rye-on-Rye, Grainstorm Black Rye IPA, Two Jokers Double-Wit, Reverb Imperial Pilsner and Nommo Dubbel.
Jenkins said these beers are, or when seasonally appropriate will be, available in markets currently carrying Boulevard products.
Rabbi Mendel Segal, the Vaad’s executive director/rabbinic coordinator, confirmed that all Boulevard beers, unless otherwise noted, “are now being produced under our strict kosher supervision and will be marked with our symbol of assurance in the not-so-distant future.”
Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. The brewery’s mission is to produce fresh, flavorful beers using the finest traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Boulevard beers, which are known for their full flavor, distinctive character and unsurpassed quality, are currently available throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Massachusetts, with partial distribution in Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Texas and Utah.
Jenkins said Boulevard Brewing had been considering kosher certification for a while.
“Ultimately, it was the nudging of a brewery investor, along with our expansion into various East Coast and West Coast markets, that finally precipitated us moving forward with the process,” Jenkins explained.
Rabbi Segal said the process took several months. The Vaad first met with Boulevard Brewery in April 2012. He added that the local Vaad’s hechsher is widely accepted, so fans of kosher beer all over the country should be comfortable drinking the beer under its supervision.
Rabbi Segal said this is an exciting development for members of the Kansas City Jewish community who observe the laws of kashrut.
“The craft beer industry as a whole has yet to really embrace kosher, which really highlights Boulevard’s commitment to certify their products,” Rabbi Segal said.
The local Vaad has been working hard to increase kosher options in the Kansas City area. Over the past year it has established some new kosher traditions in the area, including a regular pizza night at Johnny Brusco’s Pizza, located at 8909 W. 95th Street in Overland Park. Rabbi Segal expects the Vaad to make “more exciting announcements,” in the near future.
