This new Johnson County brewery is flower-powered, aims to be ‘something of our own’
Despite the vintage Ford sign hanging outside, Lindsay Waller’s space isn’t an auto shop. Far from it, actually.
Open the doors to Force of Nature Brewing at 33015 W. 83rd St. in De Soto, and you’ll be greeted with colossal silver kettles and flower vases resting on antique furniture.
Lindsay and her husband, Alex, opened De Soto’s first brewery last weekend.
The brick building housed a car garage for decades, and while its decor is largely centered around the couple’s nature theme, there are some subtle nods to its previous life. An early 1900s “horseless carriage” (one of the first motorized cars), for example, sits in the front window. Ivy creeps up and curls around it.
For decades, the garage belonged to Dean Weller, who died a few years ago. A binder full of his old car sketches lies on one of the brewery’s tables.
The Wallers didn’t want Force of Nature to resemble other breweries in the Kansas City area. To capture a distinct flavor with health benefits, they looked to their herb garden.
Lindsay said she’s always turned to natural remedies to heal ailments. So when she and Alex began home brewing during the pandemic, it seemed natural for the former art teacher to incorporate some of her favorite ingredients.
“Nobody else is doing herbs with beer,” she said. “We want to educate people … You have no idea what treasures are hanging around you.”
The Bee’s Knees beer has honey and Vienna malt, and it’s infused with dandelion root and calendula flowers.
The Nor’easter, a hazy IPA, contains lemongrass and lemon balm. The Equinox, a German Pilsner, is made with elderberry syrup. Glacial Place, a cold IPA, has thyme in it.
“Our beer is just fantastic,” Lindsay said.
(Though, Lindsay added, they’re producing beer in such large batches that they have to outsource their herbs. But they still grow some in their garden for fun.)
Force of Nature also offers a variety of light bites, like its a Reuben sandwich, charcuterie board, and hummus plate.
With change looming around the corner for De Soto, the Wallers are hoping to get ahead of the curve.
The city of 6,200 is expected to boom after the Panasonic battery plant opens in 2025, bringing 4,000 new jobs. (And perhaps some of those new employees will be beer-lovers, the Wallers hope.)
As a former art teacher and musician, Lindsay’s desire is for the spot to become a hub for local culture.
“The local community is very excited, because we want something of our own,” she said. “We want something to bring people into the city … Everybody loves the decor. They love that it feels so cozy.”
Force of Nature is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
It’s closed on Sundays.
Nearby, at 34071 Commerce Drive, Burnt End BBQ just opened a location. Its Overland Park spot closed earlier this summer at 11831 Metcalf Ave.
