Wichita’s craft beer scene is as bold and creative as the city itself, and at the heart of a great brewery is a signature brew that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. From crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs and smooth stouts, these flagship beers represent the core of what each brewery does best.

Whether you’re just getting into craft beer or consider yourself a connoisseur, this guide will help you discover must-try pints in Wichita.

Four beers are served on a flight at The Depot
The Depot

At The Depot – a downtown Wichita gem born from the collaboration between Ziggy’s Pizza and Walnut River Brewing Co. – you’ll find a lineup of flagship beers that combine small-town Kansas craft with big-city flavor. These go-to brews are always on tap, offering a taste of what makes Walnut River a standout in the regional beer scene. From easy-drinking crowd-pleasers to bold, hop-forward favorites, these flagship pours are the perfect pairing for a slice of pizza, a night out with friends or simply getting to know Wichita’s beer scene one pint at a time.

  • Warbeard Irish Red | Irish Red Ale
  • High Beam | West Coast IPA
  • Teter Rock Kolsch | Kolsch
  • Re-O-Ranged | Citrus IPA
  • Hazy Train | Hazy IPA

MBC Lounge

Located in the historic Delano District, MBC Lounge is a new taproom from Manhattan Brewing Company that offers a thoughtfully curated core lineup of eight to ten flagship beers, including neighborhood favorites that showcase Midwestern brewing flair. Their flagship pours stand out for their balanced approachability – whether you're into refreshing wheat ales, IPAs or bright, zingy sours. Each beer reflects the brand’s Kansas roots while delivering consistent flavor and quality. Expect crowd-pleasers like:

  • Tasty IPA | American IPA
  • Townie American Wheat | American Pale Wheat Ale
  • Wabash Easy Drinking Ale | Cream Ale
  • Tang Party Tangerine Sour | Fruited Kettle Sour

Central Standard Brewing

At Central Standard Brewing, the flagship lineup is anything but ordinary. Featuring five standout brews, CSB’s core collection showcases the brewery’s passion for sours, hop-forward IPAs, farmhouse styles and inventive blends. Each beer reflects their bold, imaginative spirit and commitment to quality. Whether you're a seasoned beer lover or just exploring the scene, these flagship pours are the perfect place to start.

  • Standard Issue | Light-bodied Farmhouse-style Ale
  • Drop Top Caddy | Sour
  • Wizard of Hops | American IPA
  • Red Cicada | Sour – Traditional Gose

Beer at Hopping Gnome Brewing

Hopping Gnome Brewing Company

Hopping Gnome Brewing in Wichita has built a loyal following around a lineup of flagship beers, and 16 on tap at all times, that are as approachable as they are flavorful. Their seven flagships, along with the 50-plus brews they offer throughout the year, showcase the brewery’s commitment to creativity, consistency and community – all brewed right in the heart of Wichita’s Douglas Design District.

  • The Earl of ESB | English-style beer
  • Sepia Amber | American Amber Ale
  • ICT IPA | American IPA
  • Steampunk Saison | Belgian beer
  • Design District Coffee Stout | a collaboration with Reverie Coffee Roasters
  • HBIC Sour | Kettle Sour
  • Salty Gnome | Kettle Sour brewed with salt

River City Brewing Co.

The care and creativity behind the flagship lineup at River City Brewing Co., Wichita’s oldest brewpub, is a core part of their lasting appeal. Sixteen beers are on tap, including a number of core beers, which including styles like stout, IPA, wheat and more. These reliably crafted staples are always on tap, serving as the perfect introduction to the brewery’s broad and rotating selection of seasonals and experimental brews. Crafted in the heart of Old Town, these flagship pours offer something for every palate.

  • Rock Island Red | American Amber/Red Ale
  • Emerald City Stout | Nitro-poured Irish-style Stout
  • Old Town Brown Ale | American Brown Ale
  • Tornado Alley IPA | American-style IPA
  • Harvester Wheat Ale | American Wheat beer

WBC flagship beers

Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria

Whether you're stopping by their West, East or Delano taproom, the flagship beer lineup at Wichita Brewing Co. reflect a history of local brewing tradition and a commitment to community flavor. Their core beers – including approachable ales, crisp lagers, robust darker styles and seasonal specials – form the foundation of their taproom experience. Brewed to consistently deliver crowd-pleasing quality and character, these staples serve as a perfect introduction to the brewery’s broader offerings.

  • Thunder Blonde | Blonde
  • WBC Wheat | American Pale Wheat
  • 5:02 Amber | Red Ale - American Amber
  • V.6 IPA | IPA – American
  • Belgian Dubbel | Belgian-style Dubbel
  • WuShock Wheat | American Pale Wheat
  • Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat | Oatmeal Stout
  • Tallgrass 8-Bit | Pale Ale
  • Tallgrass Raspberry Jam | Sour

Nortons Brewing Co.

Nortons Brewing Co. in downtown Wichita has carved out a bold identity with a lineup of flagship beers that reflect its creative spirit and commitment to quality. Known for brewing beers that are as approachable as they are adventurous, Nortons offers a range of styles that appeal to casual drinkers and craft connoisseurs alike. Whether you're sipping a juicy IPA, a rich stout or something unexpected with a fun twist, their core beers are brewed to be memorable, flavorful and uniquely Nortons. Here’s a taste of some of their flagships:

  • Polkadot Princess | Belgian Strong Golden Ale
  • Don’t Poke the Bear | Imperial Milk Stout
  • Luvbug | A hoppy Hefeweizen
  • Ozone | New England–style IPA

A group of adults enjoy cider at White Crow Cider Company

White Crow Cider Company

In addition to delicious seasonal varieties, you’ll always find five core hard ciders at White Crow Cider Company. Crafted with care and consistency, their flagship lineup features the most-loved flavors by their customers. Whether you're a longtime fan or trying the cidery for the first time, these staples represent the heart of what they do.

  • First Flight | Dry Apple
  • Gert Lush | Slightly Sweetened Apple
  • Fineapple Pucker | Pineapple (seasonally offered during summer)
  • Blackberry Ginger | Blackberry & Ginger
  • Apple Of My Pie | Cinnamon & Vanilla

More Wichita breweries

At Tor Brewing, Sweet Allie B’s Limestone Beer Co. and The Leprechaun’s Lab, the concept of "flagship beers" is a little different. The Leprechaun’s Lab specializes in small batch, rotating brews but one of their most popular brews, Lucky Charms, can be enjoyed twice a year when it is brewed in a larger quantity. Tor Brewing leans into a rotating lineup of collaborative and guest brews, rather than a fixed core set. Don’t miss the lagers and hefeweizens at Sweet Allie B’s Limestone Beer Co. made with Kansas Grown barley. At all of these breweries, they celebrate variety and local creativity, so every visit feels fresh and exciting.

Wichita’s flagship beers offer a flavorful snapshot of the city’s dynamic craft brewing culture. From long-standing favorites at legacy breweries to fresh takes from newer players, each pint tells a story of passion, innovation and community spirit. Whether you’re a local sipping your go-to at your neighborhood taproom or a visitor hoping to partake in our annual Wicked Brew Tour, these core beers are a great choice. Cheers to always on-point beer in the Heart of the Country!