In keeping with their mission to support Chicago’s South Loop community, Vice District Brewing Co. is proud to introduce Non-Profit Nights. Mondays throughout the year the taproom will be closed to the public so that local non-profits can utilize the space for fundraisers.
“We also want to work with non-profits on campaigns, perhaps a week or month long, where we donate a percentage of our growler sales to them,” says founder Quintin Cole.
However, founders Curtis Tarver II and Quintin Cole don’t see their involvement in the community ending there. Though Chicago’s Vice District has quite a colorful past, Tarver II and Cole are really looking to help promote positive vices like volunteerism and community involvement wherever they can.
“If we can tap into the patrons that love our beer to help local organizations we want to do that,” says Tarver II. “Maybe that means helping them spread the word about their involvement in the community or reaching out to our guests to see if they would be interested in volunteering when opportunities arise.”
Tarver II and Cole are just as eager to get into their space and brewing as they are to start building relationships with other South Loop organizations. Though they’re still keeping the names of their beers under wraps for the time being, they’re more than happy to share the details of the first seven beers they’ll have on tap. See below for more detail on each.
Belgian Wit – 17 IBU – 5% ABV
Brewed with coriander, orange bitter, and just a touch of local honey. We balanced the malt sweetness with both classic noble and Pacific Northwest hop varieties to give it an added pop of citrus flavor. Its aroma and hazy yellow and thick white head says wheat beer all day.
Dark Cascadian Ale (aka Black IPA) – 75 IBU – 7% ABV
This is one of our personal favorites. Your tastes buds will definitely thank you as you experience the complexity of 2 row, Vienna, select dark roasted specialty and chocolate malts. We selected Chinook, Citra, Amarillo and Cascade hops to give it that classic Pacific Northwest flavor and aroma from where this style originated.
Extra Special Bitter – 39 IBU – 6% ABV
We took pounds of Maris Otter and flaked oats and roasted them to give this English Style ale a biscuity and toasted taste. We used both Fuggles and UK East Kent Goldings hops to produce a classic noble hop aroma. The toasted malts and earthy hops balance just right to make each sip as enjoyable as the first one.
Imperial Chocolate Porter – 19 IBU – 9% ABV
We used both chocolate malt and 100% raw cocoa nibs that we add throughout the boil and conditioning tank. This porter produces a big chocolate aroma and full body. It presents as a rich dark brown nearly black pour with a thick light brown head. We held back on the hops to let the malt and chocolate shine. Beware, this one has bite so drink wisely.
India Brown Ale – 45 IBU – 6.1% ABV
This is our take on the classic American Brown Ale. We take classic 2 row and chocolate malts and blend in a few specialty roasted malts add American NW pacific hops to make flavor explode in your mouth. Its roasted flavor is quickly surpassed by the bold hops with a lasting bitter finish. Its light body makes it the perfect beer for those who love roast and hops.
