Today we’d like to introduce you to Aydan Connor.
Aydan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started brewing as an intern while living in Eugene, OR. I relocated to Chicago and worked for a Homebrew supply shop where I routinely brewed clone beers and house beers for customers to sample. Took my first head brewer job in Three Oaks, Michigan working on a pilot system making very small batches of beer for local restaurant.
Returned to Chicago to work for a startup brewery but felt limited in my creative ability.
Decided to work for two guys that I knew back from when I ran the homebrew supply.
They had started Vice District brewing after homebrewing for several years in their basement. Upon a casual conversation with one of the owners I learned that they would be expanding and bringing on a new head brewer. I told them I was interested and then found out that they originally wanted to hire me when I ran the homebrew shop but I relocated to MI. I now get to work for a brewery that allows me to showcase my creative talents and love of beer. In addition, they have been very supportive of LGBT issues and been 100% behind me and my wife as I transition from female to male gender.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Plenty of obstacles in the brewing world but also a lot of support among my peers. My closest friends have supported me in all phases of my brewing career and its challenging breaking stereotypes of what your typical head brewer looks like. I don’t have a beer belly nor a big beard but feel that I take the extra steps to ensure that everything I put out is of the highest quality.
Please tell us about Vice District Brewing.
Vice District is one of a few African American owned and operated breweries in the US. We have been a neighborhood gem for the residents of the South Loop since our opening in late 2014. We are known for having really great and easy to drink beers. We focus on small batches beers that are only sold in our current taproom. We honestly do not have the space to distribute beers outside of the original location on Michigan Ave due to the size and location of the brewery. Our tasting room is a very diverse setting that is communal in its set up. It forces strangers to sit amongst one another and connect. We do not serve food but allow customers to order in from the local small businesses. We also book food trucks. Because we are neighborhood focused we create an environment where locals can come spend some time outside of their condos and apartments. We have board games, show televised Chicago sporting events (then TVs are off and covered to hide their existence) and lastly are dog friendly. Our beers are always received very highly at festivals and local events that we participate in. We are also expanding our business to include a production facility. I’m most proud that we are putting a new face of diversity into a traditional non-diverse industry and people have responded with great appreciation.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing. It’s been an incredible journey. Every lesson learned was invaluable and you only learn from your mistakes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1454 S. Michigan Avenue, Ste 1,
Chicago, IL 60605 - Website: www.vicedistrictbrewing.com
- Phone: 312 291-9022
- Email: info@vicedistrictbrewing.com
- Instagram: Vice_District brewing
- Facebook: Vice District Brewing
- Twitter: @Vice_District
- Yelp: Vice District Brewing
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