Vice District was founded by neighbors who developed a passion for beer through home brewing. When we opened our original taproom in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood in 2014, we tried to capture that feeling of hanging out and drinking beers in a neighbor’s basement. As Chicago’s first black-owned brewery, we dedicated ourselves to crafting a community where anyone could feel at home, from the beer enthusiast to the person just dipping their toes into the craft world.

 

The name was chosen as a nod to the neighborhood, which was known as Chicago’s “vice district” in the city’s early days. It was a place where people from all over could go and be comfortable with who they were — and connect with others who also were looking for something different.

 

Over the years, we've seen countless examples of our beer building that type of community. And that’s why we’re relaunching in 2021.