Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company bringing flagship restaurant to downtown Kansas City’s Power Light District in 2016

Kansas City’s culinary and craft beer scenes attract Leinenkugel’s

KANSAS CITY, MO (Dec. 3, 2015) – The Cordish Companies’ Power & Light District proudly announced today that the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has selected downtown Kansas City and the Power & Light District to be the home of a flagship Leinenkugel’srestaurant and bar.

“The team looked at a variety of outstanding cities and opportunities but none could match the vibrancy of the Power & Light District and the excitement of what is happening in Kansas City right now,” stated Dick Leinenkugel, President of Leinenkugel’s Brewing Company. “Kansas City has been one of our top markets in the country, and we are incredibly excited to make this investment in the city. We are equally excited to launch a concept that that means so much to my family and will speak to the heritage of our brand.

Kansas City has shown for many years that it appreciates great food and beer, and we feel privileged to have the opportunity to grow our presence in the market and make an even greater contribution to Kansas City’s dynamic culinary and craft beer scene.”

Chef Matt Livers, a longtime Kansas City resident, created the menu in collaboration with the Leinenkugel family and will manage culinary operations for the restaurant. Chef Livers’ background includes J. Alexander’s of Florida and most recently, he was the Operating Partner for Capital Grill on the Country Club Plaza.  Chef Livers has embraced the opportunity to create this flagship restaurant for the iconic Leinenkugel’s brand.

“Wisconsin was a trailblazer in the locavore movement and has some of the greatest farmers markets in the country, along with a rich heritage of local produce, beef and pork,” Chef Livers said.  “The Kansas City region is similarly blessed with great small format local purveyors.  I really had a great time blending the German and Wisconsin heritage of the Leinenkugel’s brand with the best that the local Kansas City farm-to-table scene has to offer. I can’t wait to share with Kansas City what we have come up with.”

Leinenkugel’s house specialty will be its beer-battered fish. The fresh fish will change based on seasonality and will be battered with a mixture of toasted rye flour and Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat Beer, then fried crisp. The menu will also feature Chicken Booyah Tacos made with shredded, braised chicken stewed down with local veggies, black-eyed peas and preserved tomato jam garnished with sweet, pickled cabbage and a rich, aromatic black truffle crema. Sides will include warm potato and celery salad with a cider-bacon vinaigrette, crispy potato fritters with horseradish, steak-cut fries with rosemary and garlic, smoked cabbage slaw and grilled, lemon-and-thyme pickled radishes.

Leinenkugel’s will be located on the first level of the Kansas City Live! Block with entrances on both Walnut Street and inside the Live! Block. The interior will feature a large, centralized bar featuring familiar and unique Leinenkugel’s beers on tap as well as a variety of communal tables and seating in a comfortable and bright space with great natural light. A spacious patio connects the bar to the KC Live! Block and features lush landscaping, soft seating and a two-sided fireplace – creating a warm, inviting patio experience reflective of Leinenkugel’s “Join Us Out Here” motto.

The announcement of Leinenkugel’s opening in 2016 follows the highly anticipated opening of the 307-unit, 25-story One Light Luxury Apartments.  These best-in-class additions to the Power & Light District are all unique to the Kansas City market.

“Leinenkugel’s is a perfect match for us,” said Nick Benjamin, Executive Director of the Power & Light District. “The District operates best, and brings the most value to Kansas City, when it combines the best that the local, regional and national markets have to offer. Leinenkugel’s is really all three in one concept—a great national brand with deep regional roots, brought to life by a local chef and local team.”

About the Kansas City Power & Light District

The Kansas City Power & Light District is a vibrant eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City linking together the Bartle Hall Convention Center, Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential communities. The District is home to the brand-new One Light Luxury Apartments, Kansas City Live! Block, Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland, Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet Theater, the international headquarters of H&R Block and more. The combination of dining, entertainment, shopping, nightlife and residential within the Power & Light District’s imaginative and innovative design, has created an intriguing 24/7 neighborhood. For more information on the Kansas City Power & Light District, visit www.PowerAndLightDistrict.com