Tuesday 5th of August 2008 01:21:23 PM

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Mo’s Place
Beaver, KS
Population 30
July 17, 2008

Only in Kansas would one get direction to a brewpub with, “turn on the highway east, we are at the third grain elevator”. But that is the best way to get to Mo’s place in Beaver, Kansas. One has to remember there is no sign saying Mo’s place except the very small sign in the window, noting closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

I arrived at 10:50 and called to get directions the last block. I had already driven around and covered the whole town without finding a sign for a brewpub. I was at the right place which is identified by huge Coors beer can on the south of the building. I was the only vehicle in the parking lot. This was definitely a place one has to be seeking.

The interior was cool, dark after the bright morning Kansas sun. Len, the cook and brewer, was in the kitchen mixing up mashed potatoes by hand for the lunch special of fried chicken. Len looked up and greeted me. The place had opened at 10:30, I was, for the time begin, the only customer. I slide onto a bar stool across from the taps. Linda asks what I want. Well… it is Kansas… of course... Wheat beer.

Beaver is really remote. Mo’s does not have internet access, is very family friendly, serves 30 to 80 people a day at lunch, there is no smoking, no cask condition beer because he “just does not have the time” and serves all beer from 5 gallon Cornelius kegs. Len brews on Tuesday morning in his 15 gallon systems at the far end of the cafe. He can trick out the system to 20 gallon and brews 3 batches a day. Total out put is 33 bbls a year. Does that math work?

Linda, Len’s wife and partner, draws a wheat beer for me. It was right on the mark. It is also the best selling beer (it is Kansas). Of the 7 beers they keep on tap, Len alternates between the IPA and the Gunbarrel Java Stout. He explained plans to grow his own hops with a scheme to have the alpha acids established by a nearby university. (Nearby being a relative term.)

The place began to fill up; farmers, retired folks, young farmhands, grainer workers and a priest. Many had the special, which when it is gone, you are out of luck, Chuck. Hamburger was $3, growler refill was $7.50. I had gizzards ($3.50) served with garlic salt and red tarter sauce.

The beers after the gizzards seemed thin except for the Gunbarrel Java Stout. The stereo is turned down low, the conversation is soft, the coolers hum, lights subdued, cool and welcoming.

OH about the sign. Len said when he came from California 9 years ago he noted a business would have a grand opening, with fanfare and big sign. In 3 months all was left was the sign. He and Linda decided the sign was the problem so they never put out a sign.

I stepped into the noon sun and counted 17 vehicles in the parking lot. I bet they run out of the special today.

I really did not give the all the beers a fair chance after the fried gizzards, I had better go back and check them out with a clean pallet. Let’s see.. Beaver, Ks is on the way to where?

Mike