Just in time for baseball’s Opening Day, the Kansas City Royals, in collaboration with Boulevard Brewing and Central States Beverage, have announced the opening a craft-centric beer bar featuring more than 75 craft beers.
Appropriately dubbed Craft & Draft, Kauffman Stadium’s newest bar will pour offerings from Boulevard, Lagunitas Brewing, Founders Brewing and other local and well-established national craft players.
“The organization has demonstrated a clear commitment to creating a welcoming new space that will feature a wide assortment of specialty beers,” said Jeremy Ragonese, director of marketing for Boulevard, in a statement detailing the expanded partnership.
The redesigned left field watering hole will replace the old .390 Bar & Grill and reportedly be able to serve 500 people.
Boulevard first entered a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Royals in 2012. The deal landed the brewery permanent signage at the stadium and three branded concession stands.There are also two Boulevard grills at the stadium and a Boulevard Pub behind home plate.
In 2014, Central States sold 1 million cases of Boulevard beer in the Kansas City metropolitan area alone, the most ever by one of the brewery’s distributors in one year. At the time, Jon Poteet, Central States’ vice president of marketing, told Brewbound the Royals’ postseason run and World Series appearance spurred additional sales.