Bass Lady Is Back, and She Brought Doña Fina With Her
Every band has somebody holding down the low end. You don't always notice her. You feel her. She's the reason your head is already nodding before you realize the song started. That's Bass Lady. A stout with rhythm, grace, and just enough sophistication to keep things from getting heavy.
She started with Annie, our Director of Operations, and her morning coffee ritual. Coffee, lavender, and vanilla in the same cup. We turned that cup into a beer, and she's been one of those characters people ask about by name ever since. When Bass Lady is off the board, somebody always wants to know when she's coming back. She's coming back.
This time we changed up the rhythm section. The coffee in this batch comes from Doña Fina Café, Erika Noguera's Kansas City coffee company. Erika's family has been growing coffee on Finca Los Caulotes in Guatemala for over a century, and she roasts it right here in KC. So this isn't just a coffee stout. It's a family farm in Guatemala and a limestone building on 18th & Vine passing something back and forth until it became one glass.
That matters to me. Vine Street exists because a neighborhood carried its culture for generations, even when nobody was paying attention. Erika's coffee exists because her family did the same thing with a farm. Legacy isn't a slogan for either of us. It's the work. It's showing up every season and doing it right.
“Getting the invitation from Annie to contribute our coffee to this inspired bespoke brew is the greatest compliment. Our family has been growing coffee for more than 5 generations, and working with my dad to bring our beans to KC is a labor of love and pride. We've kept it going this long because we love and care about the work, the product, and above all, the relationships. Every cup of our coffee is imbued with love and care that starts at the root, in Guatemala.This collaboration with Vine St validates that like attracts like, and staying true to our spirit and values draws us toward something greater than what we can do alone. That Bass Lady honors Annie, and we're a part of it?... Hard to put into words just how cool that is, and THAT is Vine Street Brewing!
For this roast we focused on letting the beans take their time getting to just the right depth of flavor with a hint of that deep fire that burns, but staying light enough to deliver those easy, sweet notes of bourbon and cacao. If you love this brew, we know you'll love our coffee. Find us online at www.donafinacafe.com.” -Erika C. Noguera
Now, the glass. Bass Lady pours dark and settles into a medium body that drinks lighter than it looks. Doña Fina's coffee holds the groove up front, rich and roasty without the bitter bite. Vanilla softens the finish. Lavender floats on top like a high note you didn't expect, floral without going full candle shop. Coffee, Lavender, Vanilla American Stout. 6.5%.
Bass Lady lands in limited 16 oz cans on Thursday, October 22. Grab one for the house, grab a pour in the taproom, and if you see Erika's coffee somewhere around town, you'll know where the low end came from. Pull up.
Cheers,
Kemet Coleman
