Popular Slow Rise Doughnuts flavor inspires Boulevard to produce limited production ale
Beer and doughnuts may sound like part of a college student’s wild weekend of poor decisions but a couple of Kansas City metro businesses have teamed up to put a unique twist on this combo that for many might seem like an odd fit.
On Sunday, Boulevard Brewing Company’s latest Brewhouse One event brought excitement to the brewery as beer lovers and doughnut fans gathered to celebrate the release of the Pandan Coconut Doughnut Ale, a collaboration with Slow Rise Doughnuts.
The beer, inspired by Slow Rise’s signature pandan coconut doughnut, was created with Boulevard innovation brewer Gregory Garrity. The collaboration involved sourcing fresh pandan leaves and adding toasted coconut to replicate the doughnut’s distinct flavor profile. The mash used for the ale included 500 Slow Rise doughnuts. The result was a beer that captured the essence of the doughnut—with a hit of alcohol and a bright green hue.
The collaboration is part of Boulevard’s Brewhouse One Series, where local businesses team up to create innovative brews. Brewhouse One is the company’s space for brewing and serving experimental and small batch brews that are often only served for brewery tours or special events.
The event drew a large crowd, with the many varieties of Slow Rise Doughnuts selling out in just 30 minutes. Despite the quick sell-out, there was still plenty of beer for guests to enjoy. The brewery was lively as attendees enjoyed the distinct combination of beer and doughnuts.
For Jessica Dunkel, co-owner of Slow Rise Doughnuts, the pandan flavor represents a special connection to her Southeast Asian roots, and the doughnut’s widespread popularity adds to the excitement of the release. Pandan is a plant from Southeast Asia that is used to impart a sweet, floral taste to the dishes it’s added to. The addition of pandan can also add a green tint to dishes or drinks.
Slow Ride Doughnuts have become a hit in the area ever since owners Jessica and her husband Jeff started selling their sourdough donuts at the Lawrence Farmers Market a few years ago. Fans of the tangy, extra-airy doughnuts that come with a variety of fillings often line up hours before sales start for a chance to purchase some of the limited supply the Dunkels produce.
Slow Rise started selling the pastries at the Overland Park Farmers last summer where customers also arrive hours early for their chance to buy. In the winter months when the farmers markets are not operating, the popular donuts can be purchased at pop up sites disclosed on Slow Rise’s social media sites.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
