Well this is good news. The fine folks at Atlas Brew Works and DC Brau are teaming up to serve as the official beer sponsors of the 2nd Annual Funk Parade. Now one can get Rowdy in Public while shaking one's groove thing. See what we did there?
From a press release:
Two District breweries, DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works, have signed on to be the exclusive beer sponsors of the Second Annual Funk Parade on Saturday, May 2, the D.C. Department of Funk announced today.
The choice of local breweries to sponsor and participate in Funk Parade underscored the event’s mission of celebrating the city and supporting local businesses, said Justin Rood, Funk Parade co-founder. “DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works create jobs in the city, they make the city stronger,” Rood said, noting that both DC Brau and Atlas have a history of supporting local community groups from Miriam’s Kitchen and Bread for the City to the Washington Humane Society. “They’re good neighbors.”
“They make really good beer, too,” added fellow event founder Chris Naoum. Both companies have received wide acclaim: DC Brau has been voted best brewery in DC by Washington City Paperreaders three years in a row, took home a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival and two gold medals at the US Beer Championship in 2014. Atlas Brew Works won gold medals at the Best of Craft Beer Awards the past two years in a row for its District Common, which just got 3/3 stars from the New York Times Beer Review. Its Rowdy was just named one of DC's Most Essential Dishes of 2015 by the Washington Post.
“It’s gratifying to be part of a community celebration like Funk Parade,” said DC Brau’s Brandon Skall. “DC has a rich heritage of soulful music and dance that brings people together. We are excited to be part of an event that recognizes that,” said Justin Cox of Atlas Brew Works.
Funk Parade, which takes place in the greater U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 2, features a day fair from noon to 5 PM, the participatory Funk Parade from 5 PM to 7 PM, and a music festival from 7 PM on. As sponsors, DC Brau and Atlas will provide their delicious, District-brewed beers at host venues throughout the day’s events. Last year over 25,000 people attended the Funk Parade. This year organizers expect as many as twice that number.
Both DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works have a demonstrated commitment to the well-being of their city. Over the past four years, DC Brau has donated generously to organizations including include Miriam’s Kitchen, Bread for the City, Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Brainfood, DC Vote, and the Washington Blade Foundation. Opened in 2013, Atlas Brew Works has “adopted” the Washington Humane Society as an important cause, helping raise money to give second chances to stray, outcast and abused animals.
“We’re beyond proud to have DC Brau and Atlas as part of the Funk Parade,” said Funk Parade’s Naoum.
