Veteran brewer pulling double shift with purchase of neighboring Crossroads taphouse, brewery
December 22, 2023 | Startland News Staff
Purchasing a nearby brewery in the Crossroads Arts District will help Pat Mitchell boost beer production and distribution in Missouri and Kansas, as well as expand a community of support for U.S. military veterans and especially former service members who’ve become entrepreneurs.
Mitchell, founder and owner of Red Sash Brewing, and longtime family friend Ryan Elder, principal at Facility Systems, Inc., announced this week their purchase of Double Shift Brewing Company in the heart of brewer’s alley in the Crossroads district.
Double Shift Brewing Company; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The duo plans to maintain Double Shift’s taphouse vibe and beer quality while using the opportunity to push both its beers and Red Sash’s offerings deeper into the market.
“Red Sash was my first attempt at introducing the veteran community to the exciting, ever-changing world of the East Crossroads brewery scene,” said Mitchell, a U.S. Army veteran. “The (Red Sash) taproom is the perfect place to come and enjoy a great local beer, tell stories, play games and grow your community.”
Click here to follow Double Shift on Instagram.
“When we heard our neighbors across the street at Double Shift were thinking about giving it up, we knew we needed to extend our community to their amazing brewery,” continued Mitchell, who also is project director of construction and MEP for Kansas City Chiefs.
The West Point graduate and former U.S. Army captain became interested in home brewing during a pilot microbrewing program through the After Action Network. In 2020, Mitchell and his wife — Allison, an Overland Park native and fellow West Point graduate — opened Red Sash Brewing in the former space of Border Brewing Co.
One of the newest additions to the Crossroads brewers’ alley, Red Sash Brewing offers a variety of IPAs along with interesting but easy drinking brews. Mitchell created the taproom to introduce the veteran community to the craft brewing community, he said.
Click here to follow Red Sash Brewing on Instagram.
Double Shift Brewing Company; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Ryan Elder, Facility Systems, Inc.
Mitchell’s business partner, Elder, brings a wealth of business management knowledge with his experience at Facility Systems, a facility management design, construction and technology provider in Overland Park. As a local, family-company owner, Elder understands the importance of community in business, he said.
“Community connections drive local businesses, and brewer’s alley is the perfect example of that,” said Elder. “Over the past two years, Pat has created a space that brings together diverse customers. We couldn’t stand by and watch our neighbors at Double Shift lose that sense of community. By taking on the business, we can help ensure that Kansas City’s craft beer community stays just as vibrant as ever.”
With Allison Mitchell now directs operations for both Red Sash and Double Shift, Pat Mitchell and Elder plan to grow the production and distribution of Double Shift, reaching into the Kansas retail market and introducing the fan-favorite beers like the Tessalation Mosiac IPA and Power Moves at local downtown restaurants.
“Double Shift Brewing already has a loyal customer base in the KC area. We want to make sure that we keep the same taproom vibe and beer quality,” said Mitchell. “Our goal is to continue the legacy and good name of Double Shift and introduce more people to the amazing things happening in brewers’ alley every day.”
Red Sash Brewing
In addition to Red Sash and Double Shift Brewing’s own handcrafted beers, the organizations plan to continue collaboration with other Kansas City area local businesses including veteran-owned Bizz and Wheezy Confectionary and Jude’s Rum Cake.
Red Sash Brewing recently released its highly anticipated whiskey-barrel aged beer, and periodic releases in partnership with other local breweries, distilleries and restaurants are planned in the coming months.
Double Shift Brewing is open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Red Sash Brewing is open 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.Thursday; and noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Sandlot scores endorsement by one of KC’s favorite players; how the deal puts this brand on a base path to the big leagues
Kansas City’s only local hat maker, Sandlot Goods, announced Thursday its first professional athlete endorsement — from Royals infielder Nicky Lopez — in a hit aimed as a major play in the brand’s home run strategy. “We are incredibly excited about our first major league endorsement,” said Chad Hickman, founder of Sandlot Goods. “The first…
Despise doggie duty? It’s only No. 10 on startup’s list of pet peeve tasks people don’t want to do themselves
One in four Kansas City residents say they’ve become worse at handling awkward tasks since the pandemic began, according to a new survey by local services marketplace Airtasker. Among the most biting tasks KC wants to avoid: picking up dog poop from someone else’s lawn. Airtasker, which acquired Kansas City-based startup Zaarly in May 2021,…
Overland Park startup wins four pilot projects through NXTUS health competition
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…
Inside-the-box thinking: Veteran entrepreneurs craft memory care tools to engage dementia patients
The founders of one of Kansas City’s celebrated small businesses are launching a new solution for dementia care: a curated, monthly subscription box full of themed engagement activities and tools designed to improve patients’ quality of life. Prairie Elder Care’s Michala Gibson and Mandy Shoemaker originated the idea for the Connectivities subscription tool during the…