Disclosure: PourHouseICT sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own with the exception of the drone images.
Good craft breweries do things well down to the smallest details. Opening a brewery in a particular location for its quality water. Launching a restaurant and brewery in an old train depot for its history and location. Without a doubt, PourHouse ICT (711 E. Douglas Ave.) has always paid attention to the finer points that make it successful. Loyal patrons appreciate the Walnut River Brewing Company‘s selections on tap and the food menu.
Historically speaking, PourHouse ICT’s building was the Rock Island Depot. Dating back to its construction in 1887, it was Wichita’s first train depot. As railroad traffic increased in the area, the downtown area began to boom. It’s said that people who crossed Douglas Avenue on foot to the depot sometimes suffered an ill fate, so an upper train track was built eliminating the use of the one that ran in front of Rock Island Depot.
PourHouse ICT has occupied much of the original Rock Island Train Depot building for the last four years. With 12 beers on tap brewed by Walnut River Brewing Company, patrons sip on pints of Warbeard Irish Red Ale or Teter Rock Kölsch surrounded by historic architecture. In fact, the depot’s original floor remains. You can almost imagine the hustle and bustle of the one-time train depot.
But it gets better. Also a restaurant with a full kitchen, PourHouse ICT offers a full menu of delicious meal options. It’s the kind of place where the food is as good as the beer. My advice? Expect hearty portions but always leave room for another pint of beer.
Now operating seven days a week, the PourHouse ICT sees a steady flow of foot traffic. Beer enthusiasts appreciate the always rotating tap line, and $2 Tuesdays are a fan-favorite special, which includes all of their flagship beers on tap. Wednesday’s Trivia Night brings a crowd, and the weekend starts early on Hoppy Hour Thursdays from 4 pm when patrons enjoy 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2 price flagship draft beers.
But it’s the newest addition, Sunday Brunch, that’s has me intrigued. I tried a recent release, Maple Pecan Long John, which tasted just like a donut. Pair it with a platter of waffles and bacon and it is delightful.
Sign me up for Beers, Brunch & Bingo from 1 pm-3 pm every Sunday. The best part? They serve brunch until 5 pm.
A long-time fan of Walnut River Brewing Company’s beers, I look forward to drinking their year-round beers. During a recent visit, I couldn’t resist ordering a beer flight of four selections: Warbeard Irish Red, Teter Rock Kolsch, High Beam IPA, and a session IPA, Day Pass. What you’ll appreciate about their beer menu is that there is a lot of variety.
From wheat ales to sours, their selection runs the gamut. If you fall in love with a particular beer, you can buy a six-pack to go from the reach-in cooler. Not able to make it to PourHouse ICT to buy beer? Luckily for you, Walnut River Brewing Company distributes across Kansas, parts of Missouri, and most liquor stores sell their beer. I relish the moments when I walk into a small-town Kansas bar to find Warbeard on tap.
The chef-prepared menu at PourHouseICT is legit. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Start with an appetizing starter like the Sauce Flight. A cone of crispy fries or chips comes to the table surrounded by signature dipping sauces. The Coffee Porter Bacon Jam is the stuff dreams are made of. I could eat it with a spoon. Warbeard Queso comes in a close second for the top prize.
Dining as a group? The Scotch Eggs and Charcuterie Board are also worth trying, and both are large enough portions to share with friends.
For lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with ordering Bangers and Mash. A metal plate arrives at the table with a heaping portion of two sausages, mashed potatoes covered in brown gravy, and a piece of garlic toast. Pure heaven. The Fish and Chips is a solid choice and pairs well with a Highbeam IPA.
If you’re craving a burger, the Hatch Chile Burger is No. 1 in my book. The owners take the menu ingredients seriously often traveling hundreds of miles to bring hatch chiles to Wichita.
As far as sandwiches go, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered the Spicy Cuban. Next visit, I’m diving into the Warbeard Queso Mac served with buffalo chicken and garlic toast. Prefer to drink your dessert? Order a specialty cocktail like Blueberry Lavender Lemonade or a Pink Elephant.
The patio is a big draw. With a view of the historic Union Station, patrons catch up with friends with beers in hand. I have chosen the patio over indoor seating on more than one occasion for its view. It’s also a popular rest stop for cyclists who pull off of their Douglas Avenue route to relax and enjoy a cold one.
Serious fans of PourhouseICT (you will become one!), can join the exclusive PourHouse Mug Club that earns them 20oz pours for the price of a 16oz beer. Oh, and the personalized mug and merchandise discounts aren’t half bad either. Should you want to bring in a large group to toast to good times, the upstairs is reservable for parties.
Add PourHouse ICT to your travel bucket list for its well-crafted beer selection and delicious food menu. The historic setting and view of Old Town make for the ultimate restaurant experience.
If you’re in El Dorado, Kansas, take time to check out Walnut River Brewery Company’s tasting room. Read an earlier post I wrote about it, “Walnut River Brewery Company: Naturally Better.”
