When Erik and Domenic traveled from Germany to the United States for the FIFA World Cup, Wichita wasn't supposed to be one of the highlights of their trip.
The friends had tickets to two matches in Kansas City that were four days apart, so they decided to explore somewhere nearby in between.
"We chose Wichita," they later wrote. "Because honestly... who from Germany ever visits Wichita?"
What they expected was a convenient stopover. What they found was an unexpected adventure that took them across breweries, coffee shops, neighborhoods and restaurants while introducing them to the welcoming people who made Wichita memorable.
An unexpected challenge
After attending Argentina vs. Algeria in Kansas City, the pair headed south, making a stop at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve along the way.
"Seeing bison in the wild for the very first time was something we'll definitely never forget," they wrote. "The landscape was beautiful and the preserve itself is absolutely worth visiting."
By the time they arrived in Wichita, temperatures had climbed to 104 degrees.
Their first stop was Johnny's Tavern before heading to The Leprechaun's Lab to sample local craft beer. That's where everything changed.
"We shared a flight and noticed people getting stamps in these little passports," they wrote. "Curious as we were, we asked the bartender what was going on."
After learning about Visit Wichita's Wicked Brew Tour, they were handed passports and received their first stamp.
"We realized getting 10 stamps in the remaining day and a half sounded... ambitious but possible," they wrote. "Naturally, that immediately became our main quest."
Discovering Wichita one stamp at a time
Their quest led them across Wichita to breweries, coffee shops and even a kombucha maker, giving them an unexpected way to experience the city.
At River City Brewing Co., Domenic discovered what he called "quite possibly the best mac & cheese I've ever eaten."
The next morning brought an entirely different challenge.
"Instead of 104°F, it was absolutely pouring," they wrote. "In Germany we say, 'Es schüttet wie aus Eimern,' which is basically the same as saying, 'It's raining cats and dogs.'"
Rain or shine, they kept going.
After coffees, kombucha and more local brews, Erik and Domenic proudly collected all 10 required stamps, earning one of the limited-edition shirts celebrating the Wicked Brew Tour's 10th anniversary.
More than stamps
Completing the tour wasn't what they remembered most.
One of their favorite memories came after celebrating their accomplishment with dinner at Playa Azul, where they watched Mexico's World Cup match alongside the restaurant's owner and friends.
"After Mexico's victory, they even invited us to a local club," they wrote. "We want to thank them for our time together and will most certainly always remember it!"
Those spontaneous moments of hospitality ultimately became the experiences they talked about most after returning home.
There was one final twist to their adventure.
When they stopped by the Visit Wichita office to redeem their commemorative shirts, they discovered it was closed before they hit the road. Fortunately, Visit Wichita team members James and Shannon arranged to have the shirts mailed to Germany so their quest could officially end in success.
A stopover they won't forget
Although Erik and Domenic only spent two nights in Wichita, it became one of the highlights of their American adventure.
"Even though we didn't get to see every corner of Wichita and cannot share many pictures because of the weather and our schedule, our time here became one of the biggest highlights of the trip," they wrote.
Reflecting on their visit, they summed it up best:
"The Brew Tour gave us a fun challenge, introduced us to fantastic local breweries, and most importantly, allowed us to meet some incredibly kind and welcoming people.
"So, truly, thank you for having us."
The 2026 Wicked Brew Tour may have wrapped up, but stories like Erik and Domenic's are a reminder that some of the best travel experiences happen unexpectedly. What began as a stop between FIFA World Cup matches became an opportunity to discover Wichita beyond the interstate and stadium crowds.
We're grateful they chose to spend part of their American adventure here, and we look forward to welcoming future visitors when the Wicked Brew Tour returns in 2027.
