by Rafael Pena
December 5, 2023
Kansas Metropolis’s solely Black-owned brewery, Vine Avenue Brewing Co., is making waves because it competes within the fifteenth annual Brewbound Pitch Slam.
Kansas Metropolis’s solely Black-owned brewery, Vine Avenue Brewing Co., is making waves because it competes within the semifinals of the fifteenth annual Brewbound Pitch Slam Competitors, going down Dec. 6 in Marina del Rey, California.
“I may be biased, however for my part we haven’t made a foul beer but,” cofounder Kemet Coleman instructed The Kansas Metropolis Star.
The Brewbound Pitch Slam Competitors, sponsored by beer publication Brewbound, pits Vine Avenue Brewing Co. in opposition to among the finest startups within the trade. Whereas the winner will obtain a $10,000 grand prize, Coleman is eyeing one other prize. “I believe if we win, then that may undoubtedly put us in a nationwide dialog,” he mentioned.
Vine Avenue Brewing Co. plans to current its Paper Bag Skinny and Tricou Avenue beers through the semifinals, aiming for a light-weight and refreshing attraction to the California judges, in line with the Star. Contestants within the Brewbound Pitch Slam Competitors have a restricted time to pitch their enterprise plans to consultants.
Reflecting on the brewery’s current successes, together with being awarded $25,000 from GIFT KC and securing second place and $10,000 within the AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competitors, co-owners Coleman, Woodie Bonds Jr., and Elliott Ivory are optimistic concerning the future. The inflow of funds has enabled Vine Avenue Brewing Co. to increase its manufacturing capabilities: The corporate acquired a 15-barrel fermentation tank, doubling the scale of its largest tank.
“This permits us to have much more attain to extend our capability for our output basically,” mentioned Coleman. The growth additionally permits the Black-owned brewery to deliver its 20 beers into extra eating places and bars. Moreover, Vine Avenue Brewing Co. is venturing into canning. Its merchandise are actually accessible on the Black Pantry, and there are plans to increase into native and nationwide shops.
Amongst Vine Avenue Brewing Co.’s noteworthy beers is “One for the Books,” a limited-edition brew created in honor of the Kansas Metropolis Public Library’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. The beer options hints of caramel and vanilla and is packaged in a can designed to resemble a traditional e-book checkout report card.
RELATED CONTENT: Two Brothers Open Philadelphia’s First Black-Owned Brewery
