Reviving the Legacy of Heim Brewery: Sustainable Farming & The Return of Kansas City's East Bottoms

The Heim Brewery in Kansas City has a rich history tracing back to Austria, where Ferdinand Heim Sr. was born in 1830. He and his brother Michael emigrated to the US and purchased a small brewery in Missouri, producing German lager. They moved to East St. Louis and later, during a visit to Kansas City, purchased the Star Ale Brewery, which was renamed the Bavarian Brewing Company. The brewery was renamed the Heim Brewing Company after they sold their East St. Louis operation in 1889.

The three Heim brothers developed distinct business talents: Joseph ran the brewery, Ferd Jr. managed expenses, and Michael handled promotion. The Heim brothers invested in a professional baseball team, built their own streetcar line, and opened Electric Park, an amusement park adjacent to the brewery. Heim beer became popular, and the brewery expanded with the acquisition of the Rochester and Imperial breweries, renaming itself the Kansas City Brewing Company in 1905. However, the brewery faced struggles, including labor disputes, periodic fires, and flooding. Despite these challenges, the Heim Brewery remained an important part of Kansas City's history during the turn of the 20th century.

Although large portions of the brewery campus were demolished years ago, remnants of the operation still remain in the East Bottoms… you just have to know where to look.

In 2018, J.Rieger renovated and opened a new distillery in the old bottling plant, resurrecting another iconic century-old Kansas City brand inside the same walls that the Heims used to bottle their malted goodness.

But that’s not all.

In April 2022, a local family started Urban Bounty Farms by planting seeds, building an online presence, and learning about urban farming methods. By repurposing blighted real estate, they created a small urban hydroponic farm that quickly expanded to the old Malt Room at the Heim Brewery off Guinotte Avenue. Their goal is to create solutions beyond centralized produce that champion community development and increase property value in Kansas City.

The pressure on the world's food supply is increasing due to changes in climate patterns, population growth, and loss of farmland caused by urbanization and natural land erosion. However, these changes present an opportunity to establish sustainable farming practices in the historic East Bottoms.

Their sustainable farming methods result in a minimized environmental impact, lower carbon footprint, and less waste. Their optimal growing conditions ensure the highest possible nutritional value and taste. Their produce is non-GMO and pesticide/herbicide free, providing the nourishment needed for a healthy lifestyle. Urban Bounty Farms distributes fresh, sustainably grown food locally through salad kits and weekly produce subscriptions. To date, they’ve donated 250+ lbs of produce to local food pantries including Harvesters, Abundant Life Food Pantry, and Hope Faith Homeless Assistance.

With J.Rieger, Urban Bounty Farms, and many other local businesses planting their flag and restoring historic buildings, one thing is certain: the East Bottoms are back. This once sleepy, overlooked part of the city has reclaimed it’s status as a central hub of activity, and it's exciting to see locally owned businesses spearheading the way forward with a community-first approach. ☺

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