Wichita brewery wins national award

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Central Standard Brewing has only been open a little over a year, but their silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival shows why beer in Wichita can mean liquid gold.

What started as a fun project among friends blossomed into the brewery near Greenwood and Douglas in Wichita.

"We were thrilled to come home with a silver metal for that beer and win this for folks in Wichita. This was for everybody," said Ian Crane, co-owner of Central Standard Brewing.

They won the silver for a Belgian style ale at the Great American Beer Festival, but according to customers all the beer is good. 

"This is one of my favorite places in town, it's like Wichita," said Drew Dauffenbach. "It's all about the local." 

Central Standard Brewing, like many other craft breweries, makes a point of using locally grown ingredients when they can. 

"We use raw Kansas wheat that we get at Kauffman Seeds up just outside of Yoder," Crane said. 

It's not just whole-kernel Kansas wheat pouring out the taps but also Kansas wildflower honey.

Using local ingredients is just one way that craft breweries are impacting Kansas.

The 26 craft breweries in the state poured more than $380 million in revenue in 2015 according to the Brewers Association. Lauren Sparr knows drinking local is good for the community. 

"I mean what else is there to do if you are not supporting a local business," Sparr said. 

This win could mean a higher profile for Kansas craft brewing, but customers will tell you what their favorite Central Standard beer is.

"My next one!" exclaimed Dauffenbach.
