Redbud Brewing | Augusta, KS
Beer Trip: Redbud Brewing in Augusta, Kansas
Growing up in smaller Kansas towns, it’s always great to see new breweries pop up that become staples of their local communities. Opened in 2024 by individuals who care deeply about the city, Redbud Brewing has quickly become a hot spot for locals and visitors alike in Augusta (outside of Wichita).
The Brewery
Redbud sits right on the main drag in the city’s downtown in a 100+ year-old building. The interior features limestone walls, an original decorative ceiling, and oak wood floors throughout. While the place might look small from the outside, it is actually quite spacious with tables and chairs up front, a 6-person bar towards the back, and the brewery itself beyond that. In addition to this, they share a turf outdoor patio with the neighboring business across the way. The bartender for the afternoon, Bryce, informed us of all the events that they host including BINGO, trivia, live music, and the crowd favorite - comedy nights. We will have to make it back for this at some point!
The Beer
Being such a new brewery, Redbud is still finetuning its beer menu as they figure out what the crowds are drawn towards. They consistently maintain 8 of their own brews, along with a few other guest taps. We were informed that they have settled on 3 or 4 of their beers becoming flagship options and then rotating out the other half of the menu. While you can find the standard offerings of IPAs, a stout, and wheat, Redbud really pushed the brewing envelope with a Belgian Tripel, pomegranate sour, and a jalapeno beer. For a smaller brewery, we love when they choose to stand out with such offerings rather than simply trying to appease the masses.
As far as beer quality goes, these guys really know what they are doing - everything we tried was top-notch. You can tell that their brewer is very talented, not only with the use of differing hops and malts but also is experienced in fruit and vegetable flavor enhancements. Their Hot Honey Jefe exemplifies this to a T! This brown ale has a prevalent jalapeno taste initially, but it suddenly fades leaving a faint roastiness. Another brew worth noting is their flagship Haverhill Haze, which as you might imagine is a New England IPA. It is a very cloudy ale with a nice juicy flavor and slightly dry finish making it crushable and the perfect brew on a warm day.
Food, Merch, & More
You won’t find a kitchen at Redbud, but they do allow you to bring in outside food - or the neighboring business Sugar Shane’s Cafe will deliver it right to your table! If beer isn’t your thing, they offer a limited cocktail menu, a rotating spiked slush drink, and will occasionally host a specialty whiskey night serving a rare bottle until it’s gone. The merchandise section is fairly slim with offerings of shirts, hats, and glassware. You can also get any of their beers to-go via crowlers upon request.
Redbud Brewing has a bright future ahead based on our experience. With its top-notch beer and a building they can grow into, this place will be one to watch for the years to come.
Cheers!
