Tap List | Vine Street Brewing Offers a Taste of History Kansas City's First Black-owned Brewery

Kansas City’s Vine Street Brewing Co. officially opened to the public last Friday, marking a significant milestone for both the local and national craft beer scene.

According to the Brewer’s Association, less than 1% of more than 9,000 craft breweries in America are Black-owned. Located at 2010 Vine St. in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, Vine Street is Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery. 

Opening night proved just how many people have been eagerly awaiting this moment. Street parking around the brewery was next to impossible to find, as was finding a spot to stand. 

The brewery has been teasing out beers here and there throughout its construction process via collaborations with other local breweries. Those periodic releases helped build even more hype around the brewery. 

Vine Street’s opening tap list consists of five beers. You can currently snag Life of the Party (fruited sour), Maris (pale ale), Paper Bag Thin (Mexican-style lager), Snakes in the Wheat (wheat ale) and Jazzman (dark lager). You can order your beer in one of three sizes – five ounces, 7 ounces and 14 ounces. Of course, more beer styles will be added as time goes on. 

As of right now, the brewery is open from 3-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It will be adding Thursday hours shortly.

Here’s a toast to this historic moment. We can’t wait to see how much Vine Street adds to the local beer scene.  

Beer Releases

Torn Label Brewing Co. — 1708 Campbell St., Kansas City, Missouri — released a new beer as part of its Artist Series collaboration. Nordic Spiral was brewed with local artist Peter Warren. It’s a 5.5% ABV Nordic pale ale brewed with spruce tips. The beer has lots of herbal notes with a crisp finish. It’s currently available both on draft and in cans.

Sandhills Brewing — 5612 Johnson Drive, Mission, Kansas — has a new experimental beer available. Using locally grown Kansas pilsner malt, flaked oats, Huell Melon hops and handpicked elderflowers, the brewery created Elderflower Ale. The beer comes in at 5.4% ABV and has a subtle floral flavor while also being light and crisp. 

Servaes Brewing Co. — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — has just released Two Oceans – Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. As the name suggests, this version of Two Oceans was brewed with strawberry, rhubarb, vanilla and cinnamon. What’s more American than pie? A beer that tastes like pie!

Rockcreek Brewing Co. — 5880 Beverly Ave., Mission, Kansas — released a patriotic new beer in honor of the Fourth of July. Stars & Stripes is a 6.9% ABV hazy IPA. Hopped with Vic Secret, Sabro and Citra, the beer has a lot of fruit-forward notes including orange and other tropical citrus fruits. While this IPA is full-bodied, it’s softer in the mouthfeel thanks to the addition of oat and white wheat malt.

BKS Artisan Ales — 633 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri — has released three seasonal beers ahead of America’s birthday. First up is PAWS, an 8.5% ABV hazy double IPA. This year’s version features Citra, Mosaic and a blend of Southern Hemisphere hops. Next up is Fountains, a new 7% ABV hazy IPA. Named after the “fountain” firework, this IPA uses Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado, and Columbus hops. Last but not least is their Brookside Summer Pale Ale. This beer has all the flavors of a West Coast IPA but the 5% ABV much more closely reflects a pale ale.

Strange Days Brewing — 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri — wants you to cool off in this heat with its newest beer. The  brewery just released Mi Scusi, an Italian pilsner that was dry hopped with Spalt Select and Ariana hops. The beer is light-bodied and perfectly showcases the bright, citrusy and herbal hop notes. At 4.8% ABV it’s just what you need to quench your thirst during these heat waves. 

Beer Events

Friday, July 7

Double Shift Brewing — 412 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri — is partnering with their neighbors at Red Sash Brewing for a First Friday party. The breweries will be throwing a street party in the alley between their two breweries. As always they’ll have food trucks, drink specials, local vendors and more. Live music will be provided by the Back Alley Brass Band.

Saturday, July 8

Fields & Ivy Brewery — 706 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas — teamed up with Lawrence Mini Golf. As part of the brewery’s fourth-anniversary celebrations, Fields & Ivy will have a mini golf course set up on the patio. You can opt for free play ($5 per person) or to join the 8 p.m. tournament ($20 per person). Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers of the tournament.

Sunday, July 9

Fields & Ivy Brewery — 706 E. 23rd St., Lawrence, Kansas — is hosting a Pottery Pub for a fun afternoon at the brewery. The ticket cost includes pre-made pottery, glazing materials and instructions and one beer. While no experience is required, registration is. Spots are limited so be sure to act fast before it sells out.

Alex Andujar is a former beer sales rep turned personal trainer. When he’s not training clients you can find him trying new beers at many of Kansas City’s great local breweries.