The Wichita Craft Brewery Hop is a self-guided evening circuit visiting three of Wichita's leading independent breweries, tracing a route through the city's west-side production districts and the historic Douglas Avenue corridor near downtown. Wichita's craft-beer scene emerged from a grain-economy heritage — Kansas produces more wheat than any other U.S. state — and several local breweries incorporate that regional identity into their recipes. The hop spans roughly 12 miles between the western suburbs and the Douglas Design District, making rideshare the practical connector between stops.
The circuit begins at Augustino Brewing at 7522 Skidmore Dr, a production brewery with a spacious taproom and an outdoor patio open from May through October. Augustino's portfolio leans toward approachable styles including session ales, American lagers, and wheat beers, alongside rotating seasonal releases. A flight of four to five beers covers the main range before ordering from the kitchen, which offers pub classics and shareable plates suited to pairing with lighter styles. The first stop typically occupies 60 to 75 minutes.
The second stop is Hopping Gnome Brewing at 1710 E Douglas Ave, a neighborhood taproom known for small-batch experimental releases — New England IPAs, fruit-forward sours, and barrel-aged imperial stouts. Hopping Gnome's compact interior creates a community-pub atmosphere; food partnerships with local kitchens or food trucks vary by evening. A flight of four beers and a plate from the current food program provide a satisfying mid-hop pause.
The hop concludes at Central Standard Brewing at 156 S Greenwood St in the Douglas Design District. Central Standard combines a full production brewery with a restaurant-grade kitchen serving elevated bar food including smash burgers, Korean-style fried chicken, and house-made charcuterie boards. The taproom pours 12–16 handles anchored by a flagship American wheat ale brewed with Kansas-grown grain, and hosts live music on many weekend evenings.
Total costs run $40–70 per person for beer flights and food across all three stops. Rideshare costs between the three breweries typically add $15–25. Thursday through Saturday evenings offer the fullest tap selection and food-menu availability at all three locations.
What is included
- Flight of 4–5 beers at each brewery
- Food pairing at each stop
- Wichita craft beer overview
Good to know
- Operator
- Self-guided. Wichita breweries: Augustino Brewing (7522 Skidmore Dr) → Hopping Gnome Brewing (1710 E Douglas Ave, (316) 854-8731) → Central Standard Brewing (156 S Greenwood St, (316) 261-8100). Use Uber between stops.
Location
Starting point: Augustino Brewing, 7522 Skidmore Dr, Wichita, KS 67209
37.6971, -97.2049 View on map
Highlights
- Begin at Augustino Brewing on Wichita's west side for approachable session ales, wheat beers, and spacious taproom seating with outdoor patio
- Explore small-batch experimental releases — sours, New England IPAs, and barrel-aged stouts — at Hopping Gnome on Douglas Avenue
- Finish at Central Standard Brewing in the Douglas Design District, pairing Kansas-wheat flagship ales with a restaurant-quality food menu
- Discover Wichita's craft-beer culture, rooted in the state's wheat-farming heritage and expressed in inventive taproom brewing
- Flexible self-guided format lets participants linger at any stop based on interest — no guided schedule or advance booking required
Tips for visiting
- Arrange rideshare or a designated driver before departing; the three stops span 12 miles and are not practical to walk between
- Thursday through Saturday evenings offer the fullest tap selections and broadest food-menu availability at all three breweries
- Limit flights to four to five samples per stop to maintain palate clarity through the full circuit; drinking water between stops helps
- Augustino Brewing's outdoor patio is open May through October — arrive early on warm evenings to secure patio seating before it fills
- Central Standard Brewing often hosts live music on weekend evenings; check their social-media pages for the current schedule before heading over
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wichita Craft Brewery Hop organized by a tour company?
The hop is self-guided. Participants arrange their own transport between stops and purchase beers individually at each taproom. No advance booking, group registration, or tour operator is involved.
How many beers should participants plan to drink across all three stops?
A typical participant samples one flight of four to five beers at each stop, totaling 12–15 small pours across the evening. Pacing with food and water between stops is strongly advisable to sustain enjoyment across all three locations.
Are the breweries accessible to non-beer drinkers?
All three taprooms offer non-alcoholic alternatives including sparkling water, soft drinks, and in some cases house-made sodas. Food menus at Augustino Brewing and Central Standard Brewing are substantial enough to visit purely for a meal.
What is the typical age requirement at Wichita taprooms?
Kansas law requires guests consuming alcohol on-premises to be 21 or older with valid identification. Minors accompanied by a parent may be permitted in taprooms classified as restaurants; policy varies by individual establishment.
Is prior craft-beer experience needed to enjoy the hop?
No prior expertise is required. Staff at all three breweries are accustomed to guiding first-time craft-beer visitors through flight selections. Asking for a recommendation based on preferred flavor profiles — hoppy, malty, fruity, or sour — is a standard and welcomed request.