Brew tourism boosting small-town economies, farmers

Nationwide, consumers are making micro-breweries a destination. As more and more people want to support local businesses, they’re heading to micro-breweries – sometimes supporting a farmer in addition to the brewery. Breweries are bringing customers into small towns and cities across Kansas. “It’s not just visiting Sonoma anymore,“ said Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association. “People are willing to travel to visit a brewery. Brew tours of micro-breweries are big now.” Although dozens of breweries in Wichita and Kansas City garner followers, cities off the beaten path, like Garden City and Scott City, attract “beer tourists,“ as well