Reshaping the Narrative of Beer Culture
In an industry overwhelmingly dominated by white owners, brewers, and consumers, Vine Street Brewing’s unlikely emergence last year made history as Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery.
Now, they return with One Pint At A Time, an unprecedented weekend of events on April 12-13, featuring numerous nationally renown, heavy-hitting Black brewers and Creators in the craft beer industry.
“Vine Street Brewing is honored to host some of the biggest names in brewing and creating a space for diversity within the industry. All while supporting three amazing organizations,”
– Annie McGinnis, Vine Street’s Co-Owner/Director of Operations
The craft beer industry has long been associated with whiteness, from the owners and staff to the customers sipping expensive brews in gentrified neighborhoods. But Vine Street Brewing’s mere existence challenges that narrative.
Celebrating Black Innovation in Brewing
The weekend kicks off with a live episode of Beers with Nigel, a podcast led by Nigel Woodberry who many deem KC’s “local ambassador for Kansas City area brewers, pubs and bars.” Following this, is a bottle share on the patio.
But the main event is on Saturday at the historic Gem Theater, where a screening of the powerful documentary “One Pint at a Time” will be preceded by a panel discussion featuring some of the industries biggest names in Black brewing:
- Teo Hunter, Crown & Hops (Inglewood, CA)
- Day Bracey & Ed Bailey, Barrel & Flow Fest (Pittsburgh)
- Alisa Bowen, Rhythm Brewing (New Haven, CT)
- Jon Renthrope, Cajun Fire Brewing (New Orleans)
Kemet Coleman, a Co-Founder of Vine St., told The Defender, “Vine Street serves as the perfect central location to celebrate Black brewers and creators not only locally but also on a national scale.”
Hosting One Pint At A Time in the 18th & Vine District is crucial as it honors the legacy of this historic neighborhood as a hub of Black innovation and culture.
– Kemet
Kemet went on to say that “just as in the past, where jazz legends and entrepreneurs converged to shape history, this event continues that tradition by spotlighting Vine Street as a rising star in the neighborhood. With its potential to showcase local black innovation and storytelling, Vine Street serves as the perfect central location to celebrate black excellence not only locally but also on a national scale.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses and Community Organizations
But One Pint At A Time is about more than just celebrating the history of Black brewers and reshaping narrativies in brewing. It’s also an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses and vital community organizations.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the National Black Brewers Association, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the American Jazz Museum.
Local breweries are also invited to participate in collaboration brews with the featured VIPs, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the National Black Brewers Association’s mission of increasing diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Reclaiming a Rich History
The visibility of this event is crucial because for too long, the contributions of Black brewers and drinkers have been erased from the history of beer in America. But the truth is that from Africa to Colonial America, Black people have always been integral to the story of brewing.
Our Africans ancestors brought with them extensive knowledge of fermentation and brewing techniques, skills that were exploited by white enslavers throughout the colonial period and beyond. Even after emancipation, Black Americans continued to play a vital role in the brewing industry, though they were increasingly shut out as it became dominated by white business people.
One Pint At A Time is a celebration of the past, present, and future of Black brewing. By highlighting the stories, history, and accomplishments of these pioneering brewers, the event will inspire a new generation of Black beer enthusiasts to reclaim their rightful place.
