Blind Tiger fills menu with 1995 throwbacks, teases new beer for 30th anniversary party

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Topeka restaurant and brewery is celebrating 30 years of serving the local community with a big part this weekend.

Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant announced that it will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday, May 17. It will mark the occasion with a parking lot party featuring live music, food specials and a new 30th Anniversary Beer.

Blind Tiger got started in May 1995 as the first post-prohibition brewery in the city. Staff now serve cold beers and barbeque throughout the year, holding special celebrations annually such as during Oktoberfest.

Brewmaster John Dean recently won an award in the 2025 World Beer Cup for Smokey the Beer. The Blind Tiger took home three awards for its beers in the 2024 competition.

President Jay Ives, who joined the Blind Tiger family in 2007, had a few thoughts to share on his time with the brewery. He said he is thankful for many things, including getting to work with many great staff members over the years.

"Celebrating 30 years of integrity, simple enjoyment, and fun, and putting a little bit of Kansas in every glass, our brewers have a passion for beer," Ives said. "With these guys it is a calling, not a job. Late in the day, when my work is done and I sit down to experience the uniqueness of the flavors and expressions in each of our Blind Tiger Beers I am grateful for it."

People can participate in the parking lot part starting at noon on May 17. Guests can bring chairs and buy beer from noon through to 9 p.m. while listening to the band "Chance Encounter" from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Staff at the Blind Tiger will have food specials throughout the weekend starting on Friday, May 16 through to Sunday, May 18. All are throwbacks from the original menu for the Blind Tiger in 1995.

• Spinach and artichoke dip.
• BT club grill sandwich.
• Santa Fe burrito.
• Texas roadrunner.
• BBQ baby back ribs.

You can find the Blind Tiger Restaurant & Brewery at 417 Southwest 37th Street in Topeka. You can check out its menu by clicking here.

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