Flag City Brewing

The space may be small but the welcome is big at Flag City Brewing, located just north of Joplin in Webb City, the “City of Flags.” Regulars and newcomers alike are greeted with warm smiles at this family-friendly brewery.

Owners Eric Cooper and Will Roderique renovated this century-old building and turned it into a nanobrewery, opening its doors and introducing their brews to the public in 2019. Inside, the wood floor, exposed rafters, and use of corrugated metal in the décor create a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Flag City’s overall theme pays homage to Webb City’s rich mining history. Old mining tools are displayed on the walls, and some of the beers are named after former area mines where lead and zinc were extracted, like Sucker Flats, a mine which was located south of Flag City in the area now known as King Jack Park.

The mining theme is even incorporated in the name of Flag City’s Prospector Mug Club. Each club members gets their own 20-ounce numbered mug, along with a key chain marked with their mug’s number, a t-shirt, and access to Flag City one night each month when the brewery is open only for members. There are a limited number of Prospector Mugs, so when one becomes available, it’s sought after like a prize. Who wouldn’t want to keep a mug of their own at a place that feels like a second home to them?  

On a recent fall evening, my friend Carrie and I stopped by Flag City. After ordering at the bar, we ventured outside to the patio to enjoy our drinks. Carrie ordered a glass of hard apple cider made by guest brewery, The Jolly Fox Brewery, in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas. As you can see from her blissful expression, she liked it.

Or maybe she was thinking of her sweet doggos at home which, by the way, are welcome on the patio at Flag City.

I ordered a flight of beer, and the range of colors in the presentation was so artistically beautiful that I almost didn’t want to drink them. Almost.

The four beers that I sampled were the four year-round brews at Flag City: Sucker Flats Wheat, a refreshing and citrusy American wheat ale; Turkey Creek Bitter, an English pale ale that was far from bitter (and my favorite); The Oronogo Circle IPA, a flavorful American IPA; and Old #60 Brown Ale, an American brown ale brewed with caramel, chocolate, and black malts.

In addition to its flagship beers, Flag City offers seasonal brews, like the recently featured Strip Pit Russian Stout, a roasted and aged imperial stout with vanilla bean.

Flag City even offers beer that kids will like: Zinc City Root Beer, which Flag City makes in-house. Bring your entire family and spend quality time together at the brewery playing one of the board games inside, or bocce ball outside.

And while Flag City does not have its own kitchen, you can grab a meal from one of the food trucks that visits Flag City and eat dinner inside or on one of the picnic tables in the grassy area off the patio. If the kids get restless, let them run off some energy while you and your partner actually have an uninterrupted, grown-up conversation.

Everyone has fun.

Everyone goes home happy.

A feeling of peace comes over your household.

Time spent at Flag City allows people to leave their cares at the door and to connect with people in an easygoing way. More connecting and less dividing brings us closer to harmony, and, in a way, Flag City plays a small part in this process.

Flag City may be tiny, but its mission is mighty: Beer in hand, world in peace.

Flag City Brewing is located at 618 West Fourth Street in Webb City. Follow Flag City on Facebook or Instagram.

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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others. Click here to visit the Joplin CVB’s Facebook page.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.