‘Greatest moment of my life’: Kelsey Grammer fans line up for face time with visiting star
Christian Morrell is such a big Kelsey Grammer fan that when he heard the star was coming to Wichita, he took the day off from his teaching job at Maize South Middle School.
Morrell, 30, arrived two hours early to the first of the television star’s scheduled 10 Wichita appearances — which happened Wednesday afternoon at Jacob Liquor Exchange, 3049 N. Rock Road — and he was the first person in line when Grammer walked through the front door a few minutes after 2 p.m.
Morrell had brought with him a hardback copy of Grammer’s 1995 autobiography “So Far,” one of his brother’s X-Men comic books (Grammer played the character of Beast in three X-Men movies) and a six-pack of Blue Hazy IPA, made by Kelsey’s New York-based Faith American Brewing. Morrell planned to have the star sign all three items.
After Grammer settled into a seat behind a folding table (and got his recently operated-upon foot somewhat elevated) he called Morrell over. The two men chatted amiably, and Grammer signed all three of his items.
As he walked away, Morrell looked a bit pale.
“That was the greatest moment of my life so far,” he said.
Though some critics like to crankily ponder why Wichita gets so excited when a celebrity shows up, the people who gathered to meet Grammer — who will be in town through Saturday to help promote the arrival of his beer in the Wichita area — all seemed excited.
They stood in an orderly line that snaked around the store, past the Spanish wines and all the way back to the Moscato. They were young people in their 30s all the way up through retirees, and when Grammer hobbled in through the front door of the store, they broke into applause.
“Hi guys, how are you?” Grammer said, as he walked past the front of the line. “Good to see you.”
As Grammer greeted fans, employees poured samples of Faith American Blue Hazy IPA into clear plastic cups and distributed them to people in the line. Most people were clutching $10.99 six-packs of the beer, and Grammer was signing the plastic can clips holding the cans together.
Pieces of Grammer’s individual conversations with fans could be overheard in the store.
“Welcome to Wichita,” one man said as he approached Grammer.
“I like it here,” Grammer said. “I did the opera here.”
To another fan, Grammer could be heard describing Wichita as “a very warm place.”
The second person in line to meet Grammer was Brent Sprunger, who was telling people standing near him that a Paramount streaming subscription was more than worth the money to watch Grammer’s 2023 revival of “Frasier.”
Sprunger doesn’t live far from the liquor store, he said, and he decided it would be worthwhile to pop by and say hello to one of his favorite actors.
“I’m going to tell him I enjoy his work, and that I hope to enjoy his beers,” Sprunger said. “This is kind of a cool deal for Wichita.”
Grammer’s autographing hand will get a workout over the next several days. He’ll be appearing at multiple liquor stores and bars around town through Saturday, meeting people and promoting his new deal with Wichita Brewing Company, which is brewing his Faith American Beer for distribution in the area.
At Wednesday’s appearance, he seemed happy to pose for photos with fans and sign items that they brought with them.
Here’s a schedule of Grammer’s remaining stops:
Today, Jan. 29, 6-9 p.m., The Monarch, 579 W. Douglas, guest bartending appearance
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2-5 p.m., R&J Discount Liquor, 3015 E. Douglas, tasting and meet-and-greet
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6-9 p.m., Ziggy’s, Clifton Square, 3700 E. Douglas, guest bartending appearance
Thursday, Jan. 30, 9-11 p.m., Dempsey’s Burger Pub, 3700 E. Douglas, guest bartending appearance
Friday, Jan. 31, 2-5 p.m., Auburn Spirits, 13303 W. Maple, tasting and meet-and-greet
Friday, Jan. 31, 6-9 p.m., Old Chicago, 7626 E. Kellogg, guest bartending appearance
Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Goebel Liquor - Rob’s World of Beers, 352 S. West St., tasting and meet-and-greet
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2-4 p.m., The Anchor, 1109 E. Douglas, guest bartending appearance
Saturday, Feb. 1, 5-9 p.m., Total Wine & Spirits, 2762 N. Greenwich Ct., tasting and meet-and-greet
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM.
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