Beer brewed for Kansas City’s Black community has been gone for 80 years. It’s coming back
Few of today’s Kansas Citians know the name Earl Beck, or that his beer distribution center once stood on Vine Street in the 1940s.
Kemet Coleman, one of the owners of Vine Street Brewing Co. in the 18th & Vine District, trekked down a path of discovery with researchers at the Kansas City Public Library to learn about the Black businessman. One of Beck’s many accomplishments: giving the Kansas City Black community its own beer.
That’s when Coleman, who has Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery, knew he wanted to give the Henry Armstrong beer a second life on Vine.
“It was one of the first beers that was marketed to African Americans in America, and especially here in Kansas City,” Coleman said. “It’s kind of a no-brainer for us to bring the brand back to life.”
The Henry Armstrong Lager, named after a Black world-champion boxer who lived in St. Louis, will be available at Vine Street Brewing Co. starting Dec. 12.
It’s currently on tap for a limited time, but Coleman said it may make its way into the rotation more regularly if customers enjoy it.
Advertisements from 1942 that ran in The Call — a news outlet for the Black community — described the beer’s taste as “smooth, golden and tangy.” While Coleman doesn’t have the original beer’s exact recipe, he feels what they have must taste very similar.
“We’re dealing with an American lager. Lagers aren’t necessarily super diverse in their flavor profile,” he said. “We went with more of the historic flavors that were common at that time.”
For non-beer historians: 1940s beers were a little crisper and fuller than contemporary lagers.
The original beer was brewed by Old Appleton Brewery in southeast Missouri. It was not a Black-owned establishment.
Beck — longtime friend of President Harry Truman and superintendent at the Jackson County Home for Negro Boys — worked out a deal to get Armstrong to sponsor the beer. His name and likeness were printed on the bottles, and the boxer even came down to Kansas City to promote the drink.
At the time Beck owned his operation, he was the only Black distributor west of Detroit, and one of few in the United States.
“I have lived in Kansas City long enough to know that our colored people will support colored business and want to see it do well,” Beck told The Call in 1942. “We know that we are selling a product that is second to none in quality.”
It was sold in stores around the neighborhood.
Michael Wells, special collection librarian with the Kansas City Public Library said it’s unclear when production ceased, but there’s no mention of the beer after 1942.
Coleman feels honored to continue in Beck’s legacy. When he opened his brewery over a year ago, his goal was to honor the Black community and educate others about the rich history of the 18th & Vine District.
The beer accomplishes both, he said.
“I think it’s pretty magical, honestly,” Coleman said. “The more we can help be a part of the community and help the community learn … I think it really inspires and kind of re-invigorates the essence of what made this neighborhood great.”
Vine Street Brewing Co. is at 2010 Vine St. Its hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Tuesdays.