Vine Street Brewing Co. is Kansas City’s newest brewery, with a scheduled grand opening on June 30 at 3 p.m. at their 4,800-square-foot space on the south end of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.
The brewery is housed in a 150-year-old building that originally served the city’s Street Department but has since been revamped to include a two-story taproom, brewhouse, and outdoor beer garden. Co-owners Kemet Coleman, Elliott Ivory, and Woodie Bonds, Jr., incorporated graffiti from the years the building spent abandoned into their contemporary design—a nod to their community mission. “This is a space where expression is celebrated,” Coleman says. “Keeping the graffiti was intentional. We’re bridging the past and present and hope to foster a sense of pride and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.”
Vine Street Brewing Co. is creating a joyful space and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates Kansas City’s cultural heritage. And as only one percent of breweries in the United States are Black owned, they’re joining a national movement. “There’s glaring underrepresentation in the brewing industry,” says Ivory. “Progress requires a collective effort. We’re grateful the KC scene comes with friends and supporters both within and outside the industry.”
Uplifting the community through collaboration, the new brewery features local artwork and a piano wall built of reclaimed wood from the West Bottoms. The downstairs and outdoor spaces are intended to be used to host local artists and private events, building community through live music and listening parties beginning in July. “It’s inspiring to see our neighbor’s dreams come true alongside our own,” says Coleman. “We’re thrilled to welcome visitors of The Prospect KC and Warren Harvey Gallery to our space as well.”
New beers from Vine Street Brewing Co. include their flagship release, the Jazzman Black Lager, a smooth and refreshing brew with notes of roast malt, nuts, and cola, as well as a sour ale deemed Life of the Party, a pale ale called Maris, a Mexican-inspired lager named Paper Bag Thin, and Snakes in the wheat—one of the first beers the trio ever brewed together. In the future, Vine Street hopes to collaborate more with other breweries. “Collaboration brews creativity,” says Bonds, Jr., “We can’t wait to expand on our ideas locally and beyond KC. We’re just getting started.”
The grand opening begins at 3 p.m. and features performances by local musicians, including Kadesh Flow, Eddie Moore, and DJ Skeme. 2010 Vine St.