Eat, Drink and be Katy
Jun 25, 2022 08:23AM ● By MARIE EDINGER
Katy Trail State Park is the longest rail-trail in the United States, spanning nearly 240 miles acrossMissouri’s scenic countryside. Much of it follows Lewis and Clark’s flat, winding path along the Missouri River. The trail goes directly through farmland and small towns initially built along the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. Settling along this route capitalized on business and expansion encouraged by the rail.Along the way, there are 26 different marked trailheads to explore, along with four newly restored railroad depots, 17 wineries, countless breweries, and more distilleries than one can shake an empty water bottle at without ever straying more than five miles from the trail.
| WINE |
Les Bourgeois Vineyards
The Katy Trail meanders through Missouri’s wine country and follows the“Missouri Weinstrasse” — the German name for “wine road,” aka 100 miles of Highway 94. Travel into Rocheport and jog over to another small trail that leads to Les Bourgeois Vineyards.
The vineyard retreat sets atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley and encompasses the A-Frame Wine-garden, the Tasting Room & Gift Shop, and the Bistro at LBV. Sweet reds, dry whites, and rosés, along with interesting hybrids and even a couple of coolers, are available.
The bistro serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Dropping by for a snack? Enjoy appetizers, charcuterie board or bread laced with compound butter and seasoned olive oil. Taste, sip, and shop! In addition to wine, Les BourgeoisVineyards sells accessories souvenirs and hosts events
| BEER |
Crane Brewing
The brewers and beer-loving professionals at Crane Brewing in Raytown brew inspired farmhouse ales where the RockIsland Trail overlaps the Katy Trail. From the beginning, Crane was known for its sours but has evolved and expanded its offerings. Collaboration is the name of the game at Crane. Not only do they hook up with other brewers to concoct great flavors, but they also do pottery nights, composting, and a ton of other activities and events.
The taproom opened in 2016. It has alive-edge bar made from locally-sourced wood. The tables, made of reclaimed barns, and hand-painted menu boards give the space a “Joanna Gaines” vibe.Crane Brewing’s ever-changing beer options, wines, cider, spirits, kombucha, and nitro cold-brewed coffee--all locally sourced--are displayed.
Good News Brewing
One of three Good News Brewing Company locations is in Defiance,Missouri. The owners, Matt Fair, and DanTripp started as home brewers, gradually honing their craft. So when the two met by happenstance at a Bible study and bonded over their love of beer-making, it was “good news.” Good News features a solid mix of beer styles, including lagers, pale ales, brown ales, IPAs, and high-gravity stouts. They also have guest taps, along with wine and a couple of cocktails.Good News has flatbreads and wood-fired pizza on a sourdough crust with inventive combinations of ingredients togo alongside the beverages.
Located in a historic Missouri River-front location, Fernweh is a bit farther from the trail but worth the 1.9-mile venture. Fernweh—from German meaning wanderlust—is naturally at home on the rambling Katy Trail. They distill bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka on-site, offering flights of four for just $10. Fernweh is also home to extremely hard-to-come-by small batch pours from other distilleries and wineries. For palates that prefer a milder taste of the spirits, Fernweh crafts a variety of cocktails, including signature classics and seasonal libations.Enjoy brisket and pork, rubbed with a proprietary spice blend, and smoked in-house daily to complement the intoxicants. In addition, Fernweh has decadent desserts to satisfy sweet teeth and a sophisticated loft event space.
Hermann Farm
Black Shire Distillery
About 2.5 miles from the Katy Trail, right at the site of the Hermann FarmMuseum in Hermann, visitors will stumble across Black Shire Distillery.The Hermann Farm celebrates the Rasche family, German immigrants who made their home and built a small still in the 1840s. Continuing in the Rasche tradition, Black Shire features locally grown grain and ages spirits in white-oak barrels made right here in Missouri.Black Shire produces several varieties of rye whiskey, gin, bourbon, blackberry whiskey, a blended whiskey, brandy, and vodka. Try a sample, buy a flight of all the whiskeys, or mix and match a flight.To enjoy the subtle flavor of the spirits, order hand-crafted cocktails. They are always experimenting with new flavors, whether in the base spirit itself or cocktails. Check the website for recipes.
Les Bourgeois Winery Vineyards A-Frame
14020 W Hwy BB
Rocheport, MO
(800) 690-1830
www.missouriwine.com
Crane Brewing
6515 Railroad St.
Raytown, MO
(816) 743-4132
www.cranebrewing.com
Good News Brewing Company
2886 S MO 94
Defiance, MO
(636)544-2965
www.goodnewsbrewing.com
Fernweh Distilling
4 Schiller St.
Hermann, MO
(573) 486-2970
www.fernwehdistilling.com
Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room
111 Gutenberg St
Hermann, MO
(573) 486-9911
www.blackshiredistillery.com
| WINE |
Les Bourgeois Vineyards
The Katy Trail meanders through Missouri’s wine country and follows the“Missouri Weinstrasse” — the German name for “wine road,” aka 100 miles of Highway 94. Travel into Rocheport and jog over to another small trail that leads to Les Bourgeois Vineyards.
The vineyard retreat sets atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley and encompasses the A-Frame Wine-garden, the Tasting Room & Gift Shop, and the Bistro at LBV. Sweet reds, dry whites, and rosés, along with interesting hybrids and even a couple of coolers, are available.
The bistro serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Dropping by for a snack? Enjoy appetizers, charcuterie board or bread laced with compound butter and seasoned olive oil. Taste, sip, and shop! In addition to wine, Les BourgeoisVineyards sells accessories souvenirs and hosts events
| BEER |
Crane Brewing
The brewers and beer-loving professionals at Crane Brewing in Raytown brew inspired farmhouse ales where the RockIsland Trail overlaps the Katy Trail. From the beginning, Crane was known for its sours but has evolved and expanded its offerings. Collaboration is the name of the game at Crane. Not only do they hook up with other brewers to concoct great flavors, but they also do pottery nights, composting, and a ton of other activities and events.
The taproom opened in 2016. It has alive-edge bar made from locally-sourced wood. The tables, made of reclaimed barns, and hand-painted menu boards give the space a “Joanna Gaines” vibe.Crane Brewing’s ever-changing beer options, wines, cider, spirits, kombucha, and nitro cold-brewed coffee--all locally sourced--are displayed.
Good News Brewing
One of three Good News Brewing Company locations is in Defiance,Missouri. The owners, Matt Fair, and DanTripp started as home brewers, gradually honing their craft. So when the two met by happenstance at a Bible study and bonded over their love of beer-making, it was “good news.” Good News features a solid mix of beer styles, including lagers, pale ales, brown ales, IPAs, and high-gravity stouts. They also have guest taps, along with wine and a couple of cocktails.Good News has flatbreads and wood-fired pizza on a sourdough crust with inventive combinations of ingredients togo alongside the beverages.
| SPIRITS |
Fernweh Distilling CompanyLocated in a historic Missouri River-front location, Fernweh is a bit farther from the trail but worth the 1.9-mile venture. Fernweh—from German meaning wanderlust—is naturally at home on the rambling Katy Trail. They distill bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka on-site, offering flights of four for just $10. Fernweh is also home to extremely hard-to-come-by small batch pours from other distilleries and wineries. For palates that prefer a milder taste of the spirits, Fernweh crafts a variety of cocktails, including signature classics and seasonal libations.Enjoy brisket and pork, rubbed with a proprietary spice blend, and smoked in-house daily to complement the intoxicants. In addition, Fernweh has decadent desserts to satisfy sweet teeth and a sophisticated loft event space.
Hermann Farm
Black Shire Distillery
About 2.5 miles from the Katy Trail, right at the site of the Hermann FarmMuseum in Hermann, visitors will stumble across Black Shire Distillery.The Hermann Farm celebrates the Rasche family, German immigrants who made their home and built a small still in the 1840s. Continuing in the Rasche tradition, Black Shire features locally grown grain and ages spirits in white-oak barrels made right here in Missouri.Black Shire produces several varieties of rye whiskey, gin, bourbon, blackberry whiskey, a blended whiskey, brandy, and vodka. Try a sample, buy a flight of all the whiskeys, or mix and match a flight.To enjoy the subtle flavor of the spirits, order hand-crafted cocktails. They are always experimenting with new flavors, whether in the base spirit itself or cocktails. Check the website for recipes.
One of Missouri’s unique resources is the Katy Trail. Whether hiking, biking, walking, riding, or just getting a little fresh air, there are many shops, restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and attractions to explore.Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Crane Brewing,Good News Brewing Company, Fernweh Distilling Co., and Hermann Farm BlackShire Distillery are just four of the inviting places to explore along the way
Les Bourgeois Winery Vineyards A-Frame
14020 W Hwy BB
Rocheport, MO
(800) 690-1830
www.missouriwine.com
Crane Brewing
6515 Railroad St.
Raytown, MO
(816) 743-4132
www.cranebrewing.com
Good News Brewing Company
2886 S MO 94
Defiance, MO
(636)544-2965
www.goodnewsbrewing.com
Fernweh Distilling
4 Schiller St.
Hermann, MO
(573) 486-2970
www.fernwehdistilling.com
Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room
111 Gutenberg St
Hermann, MO
(573) 486-9911
www.blackshiredistillery.com
