Kemet Coleman, co-founder of Vine Street Brewing Company, wasn’t always a beer enthusiast. In fact, when he started working for Boulevard Brewing Company in 2013, he admitted his knowledge of beer was limited. “I tried maybe a Boulevard Wheat or something,” Coleman recalled. “I really didn’t know the difference between any of the styles, or what was possible with beer.” While he enjoyed the taste, his real inspiration to enter the brewing industry sparked from a profound discovery: the deep historical connection between Black culture and beer.
“When I first discovered that beer was an African invention, that really blew my mind,” Coleman, who is also a jazz performer and rapper, explained. “The ancient Egyptians were an evolution of that. It goes tens of thousands of years back in time. African women were essentially the first brewers.” This revelation ignited a passion that, years later, culminated in the grand opening of Vine Street Brewing Company, a brewery Coleman and his partners envisioned bringing to life in the Historic 18th and Vine district.
Two years after announcing their ambitious project, Vine Street Brewing has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for Kansas City’s craft beer scene and its historic Jazz District. The brewery’s logo, featuring a beer goddess named Maris with distinctively Black features like full lips, a bold Afro, and bushy eyebrows, directly pays homage to this rich heritage.
“There’s glaring underrepresentation in the brewing industry,” stated head brewer Elliott Ivory, who co-founded Vine Street Brewing alongside Coleman and Woodie Bonds Jr. Ivory emphasizes the importance of collective effort in fostering progress, adding, “We’re grateful the KC scene comes with friends and supporters, both within and outside of the industry.”
Coleman’s dedication and vision have garnered national recognition. Recently, he received an invitation to the White House to participate in the Young Men of Color Roundtable, a conference focused on minority entrepreneurship. This prestigious invitation acknowledged Vine Street Brewing as part of the rare 1% of Black-owned breweries in the United States. “Honestly, it was an honor to be at the White House as the mayor’s selection to represent Kansas City,” Coleman shared in an interview with KCUR’s Up To Date in May.
‘Sacred Soil’ and Modern Brews at Vine Street Brewing
Vine Street Brewing Company, Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery, is situated in a 4,800-square-foot building with a unique history. The facility once housed one of Kansas City’s earliest public works institutions, the Street Department. Remarkably, the building’s 150-year-old limestone walls still bear graffiti from its period of abandonment. Kemet Coleman intentionally preserved these markings during the redesign, considering the location “sacred soil.”
“We’re bridging the past and present, and hope to foster a sense of pride and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors,” Coleman explained. “The ground that the brewery is on is a very significant part of American history and Black history. So, we wouldn’t have done it any other way. It pays homage and actually reflects the history of the jazz district and this building.”
Vine Street Brewing Co., located at 2010 Vine St., Kansas City, MO, integrates the building’s history into its design, retaining graffiti from its past as a shelter.
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, guests were welcomed to explore Vine Street Brewing’s two-story taproom, an inviting outdoor beer garden, and a state-of-the-art brew room. The brewery is equipped with four fermentation tanks, capable of producing 14 kegs at a time, promising a steady flow of fresh, craft beer. The grand opening celebration commenced at 3 p.m., featuring live performances from local musicians, energizing the south end of the historic Jazz District at 2010 Vine St.
Coleman views the grand opening of Vine Street Brewing Company as a pivotal step in the ongoing revitalization of Kansas City’s renowned jazz district. “We are going to add a new element to Kansas City’s most famous street,” Coleman stated. “There should be no reason why a street that’s internationally renowned became one of the more blighted streets in downtown. So what we do can really set a great standard for the future.”
Beyond its craft beers, the renovated space at Vine Street Brewing also houses the Warren Harvey Art Gallery and The Prospect KC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving food access in east side neighborhoods. For Coleman, integrating other Black-owned businesses into the brewery’s location underscores a mission that extends beyond brewing excellent pale ales and lagers. It’s about reigniting vitality in a historically vibrant neighborhood.
“I think this brewery can be a place where people come together from both sides of Troost and the state line. So, for all of the folks who are looking to do projects in the jazz district, this is a path forward,” he concluded. “It’s an opportunity that’s going to be great for the city.” Vine Street Brewing Company is poised to become a cornerstone of the community, offering not just exceptional beer, but also a space for connection, celebration, and the continued resurgence of the Historic 18th and Vine district.
