The bartenders are hired, and now, Wichita’s newest brewery is almost ready to open.
Kurt Schmidt and several partners — including lifelong friend and wrestling buddy Lawrence Schutz — own the new Flatlanders Brewing at 623 W. Douglas. Doors will open to the public at noon on Thursday.
The brewery operates right next door to Picasso’s Pizzeria, which the Schmidt also owns, and people who patronize the brewery will be able to order food and pick it up through a new pass-through door that joins the two businesses.
Flatlanders has two stories of seating and two outdoor patios, including a rooftop patio overlooking Douglas. It will open with a lineup of its own beers created by brewer Wyatt Fullmer, who moved to Wichita for the job. Fullmer previously brewed for Gella’s Diner + Lb. Brewing Co. in Hays, for Fields & Ivy Brewery in Lawrence and for Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City.
The opening menu will include a pale ale, an amber, a hefeweizen, a West Coast IPA and an oatmeal stout. The brewery also will feature three beers made in collaboration with local breweries Central Standard Brewing, Nortons Brewing Company and Hopping Gnome Brewing Company…