Little Beast Brewing partners with Lawless Barbecue
Little Beast Brewing has a new kitchen partner for their southeast Portland beer garden location in Lawless Barbecue. Since opening the taproom in 2018 the brewery dabbled in their own food program before partnering up with Whim Kitchen who brought a wealth of light and fresh seasonal flavors with more vegetarian options. But like the changing of the seasons, Whim Kitchen has migrated out and Little Beast has found a new partner in former cloud kitchen producer Lawless that specializes in Kansas City-style BBQ.
Kevin Koch, the founder of Lawless Barbecue, and a Kansas transplant, has worked in restaurants since the age of fourteen. He fell in love with Portland and moved to the city thirteen years ago, but has always missed the Kansas City-style barbecue that he grew up eating. While directing operations at a Portland restaurant chain for nine years, Koch began developing his barbecue recipes on the side while catering events, family get-togethers, and pop ups.
“Ever since moving to this beautiful city I’ve wanted to open a barbecue business with food like back in Kansas City,” said Koch. “One of the things that stands out about our barbecue is that we also focus on sauces and side dishes so that everything on the plate is as phenomenal as the oak smoked meat. There’s more cooking and attention to classic homemade sides than you’d expect from a meat market-style barbecue joint.”
At the beginning of 2021 Koch officially opened Lawless Barbecue through a cloud kitchen in Portland. After tripling his business over six months, selling out of food regularly, and building a rabid customer base, Koch began looking for a brewery to partner with and found Little Beast.
“I couldn’t be happier; in addition to barbecue I’m also a beer nerd, so it’s really exciting to partner with one of Portland’s most beloved, top-notch breweries,” said Koch. “I know Portlanders are going to love the food, and the way it pairs with Little Beast’s beers.”
Lawless Barbecue is now serving up food at the Little Beast Brewing Beer Garden. The menu will include 13 hour oak smoked Prime brisket, spareribs, pulled pork, brisket burnt ends, smoked meat sandwiches, BBQ nachos, a vegetarian mushroom & Swiss burger, and an array of sides. The food will be available during open hours at Little Beast, via carryout, and through DoorDash (through the link at littlebeastbrewing.com and not through the DoorDash app)
Little Beast Beer Garden and Lawless Barbecue are located at 3412 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202.
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About Little Beast:
Little Beast Brewing is a family owned, small-batch brewery that was founded in 2017 with a passion for innovation, an appreciation for uniqueness, and an obsession with quality. Inspired by the “little beasts” that transform water, barley and hops into beer, they specialize not only in mixed culture fermentation, fruited, wild and wood-aged beers, but also in mastering classic styles for a consistently enjoyable and always approachable experience. Their year-round southeast Portland beer garden welcomes guests to enjoy their beer in the distinctive setting of an old Craftsman home, with a lush patio, front lawn and relaxing front porch.