June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate, commemorate and support the LGBTQ+ community. Colorado brewers are getting in on the action with a variety of one-off beer releases and events. Here are a few to check out:
Brews for Dru at Left Hand Brewing Company
The folks at Left Hand are hosting Brews for Dru on Saturday, June 5, in support of the Dru Project — it’s an organization that raises funds and distributes scholarships and mini-grants to those in the LGBTQ+ community and those looking to form gay-straight alliances. The group’s namesake, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, launched the first gay-straight alliance at his high school in 2002, but was later killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016.
So, a portion of proceeds from Left Hand’s Brews for Dru will go that organization; and there’s plenty to take in at the event. Left Hand will tap Druicy Fruit, a blackberry and butterfly pea flower Berliner weiss. In addition to the beer tapping, there’ll be live drag and music performances. More info at lefthandbrewing.com/event/pride.
Love Conquers Ale from New Belgium
For a limited time, you can pick up a four-pack of Love Conquers Ale, a 4.5% ABV blackberry basil lime gose and the result of a collaboration between New Belgium and Sam Adams. All of the proceeds from the sales of these $14 four-packs go to GLAAD. New Belgium is also asking fans of its beers to help push Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would protect and empower LGBTQ+ community members in the workplace and beyond. New Belgium was the first craft brewery to be recognized as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the Human Rights Campaign. Get the beer at newbelgium.com/beer/limited-release/love-conquers-ale-co.
Non-Binary Beer Release at Burns Family Artisan Ales
On June 13, the folks at Burns Family Artisan Ales in Denver will hold a release party for Non-Binary, an 8.8% ABV HellesRauchWeissenDoppelbock (which, as the name implies, really does defy traditional classification). One dollar of every pint sold goes to One Colorado to help in its efforts to support LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families. The release party includes a picnic-style (or take-home, if you choose) meal, with lamb or veggie meatballs, sweet potato hash and a chamomile-strawberry mille feuille for dessert. The brewers say it all pairs well with Non-Binary’s notes of clove, banana and caramelized smoky sugar. Reserve your spot, for $25, by June 10 at eventbrite.com/e/non-binary-pride-release-beer-dinner-tickets-157094376509.
10 Barrel Brewing’s Pride Month Celebration
10 Barrel Brewing, with a Denver outpost (in addition to spots in Bend, Portland and Boise), is hosting beer releases and drag brunches to support LGBTQ+ organizations. The Denver event supports the We Are Family Organization, and includes a drag brunch on June 13 and the release of ALLIPA, a 5% ABV session IPA loaded with Strata, Eldorado and Sultana hopes for a tropical, dank brew. Find more info at 10barrel.com/drag-brunch.
