Flappy Duck Brewery is preparing to open at 123 W. Main St. in downtown Mulvane, Kansas, with a grand opening planned for April 10-12, 2026. Owner Brad Burnett, a U.S. Army veteran, aims to create a community-focused venue drawing on his brewing experience from Germany. The brewery will feature military ties, unique beer mixes, and an attached event center.
Brad Burnett, a U.S. Army veteran originally from Dodge City, Kansas, is launching Flappy Duck Brewery after years of planning. Burnett, who served eight years in the Army including a station in Germany and the Iraq invasion, later pursued IT work and lived in Germany for 15 years. During college there, he attended a wine and beer school, brewing between 2,000 and 3,000 gallons of beer over a year. He has home-brewed for about a decade and spent the past three years seeking a location in the Wichita metro area.
A key connection came through Mulvane Community Development Director Joel Pile, who introduced Burnett to Larry Beck, the building's developer at 123 W. Main St. Burnett accepted Beck's offer to take over the entire structure. The front will house the brewery, while the back includes office space and an event center for rentals like weddings and birthdays. A trailer is planned for community events.
The brewery's name derives from Burnett's Army nickname, 'Ducky.' About 90% of staff will be veterans or have veteran family members, and Burnett is discussing placing beers at local VFW posts in Mulvane and Derby. Beer offerings will include consistent lagers, ambers, and stouts, alongside experimental flavors such as a blueberry wheat resembling Fruity Pebbles or a peanut butter and jelly sour.
Inspired by European traditions, the menu will feature beer mixed drinks like colaweizen—a hefeweizen with cola—plus options with banana nectar and pineapple juice. The venue will operate weeklong until 10 p.m. or midnight, hosting bingo, trivia, and live music. Partnerships with downtown restaurants will provide limited food service.
Burnett plans expansion with taprooms in Haysville and Goddard within five years. 'It’s just like a dream come true,' he said. 'It’s just a place for everybody to come relax and enjoy a beer without any stress.' The event center is targeted for summer 2026 operation.
