November 11th 2023.
Missouri's first Black-owned brewery, Vine Street Brewing Co., has won a $25,000 grant from the Kansas City G.I.F.T. program to help with its expansion efforts, train employees, and craft more beer. The brewery made the announcement on its website via a blog post that outlined the major contributions the money will make to improve its operation.
Founded by three friends Kemet Coleman, Woodie Bonds Jr., and Elliott Ivory, Vine Street Brewing Co. opened in June 2023 with Annie McGinnis as its director of operations. The brewery was met with an enthusiastic endorsement from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who thanked the brewery at its grand opening.
"I just want to say on behalf of everybody in Kansas City, on behalf of our community and on behalf of this Black kid who grew up in Kansas City, thank y’all for building this opportunity for all of us," said Lucas.
The brewery intends to purchase and install a 15 BBL fermenter machine, which, according to Yo Long Brew Tech, allows microbreweries or craft brewers to either scale up their production or create a mid-scale brewing operation. It also allows for a more cost-effective operation compared to larger systems, meaning the company can upscale without sacrificing profitability, which is vital for a newer brewing company.
Vine Street Brewing Co. also plans to construct a “state of the art cold room” to store finished brews at the proper temperature for refrigeration. This will provide more space for the brewery to keep product on hand to send to stores carrying their brews, while also ensuring the beer is kept fresh throughout the shipping process.
The brewery has also set aside a portion of its $25,000 award to better train and develop its staff. Improving the skills of its employees not only benefits the brewery itself, but is also a positive contribution to the total health of the city's craft beer scene.
Kansas City G.I.F.T. was founded in 2020 as a response to the George Floyd protests, aiming to close the racial wealth gap, reduce poverty-related crime, and reverse the effects of systemic racism in Kansas City. The group has provided over $1,000,000 to 68 Black-owned businesses in the city. With their $25,000 grant, Vine Street Brewing Co. is now one of them.
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