June is Pride Month, and the first weekend provides us with events and activities. Let’s get right to it.
On Thursday, June 2nd, DC Brau and Dacha Navy Yard are throwing a Pride Pils Dance Party. Brau will debut the 2022 Pride Pils cans at this event. Per a press release, “A timely and important message, [Chord] Bezerra’s design was created in direct response to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, and seeks to counter its harmful message by celebrating Pride across the LGBTQIA+ community.” There’s no charge to attend, but both Dacha and Brau would like a headcount, via Eventbrite. $20 gets you closer to the DJ booth and your first can of Pride Pils, with the money going to The Blade Foundation and SMYAL.
The next day, Friday, June 3rd, New Belgium and Hop Culture are heading to The Wharf for the second annual Queer Beer Festival. It’s the first one held in DC, and there are three sessions: Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening, with VIP and general admission options. “At the festival, you’ll be able to enjoy beer from thirty breweries that are either Queer-owned or Queer-operated, have LGBTQIA+-identifying people in prominent leadership positions, or are allies actively supporting the Queer community through programs, initiatives, or beers,” says founder Lauren Perlstein. Locals participating include Anxo, Caboose, City-State, DC Brau, Denizens, Lost Boy Cider, Other Half, Port City, Red Bear, Right Proper, Ten Eyck, and Urban Garden, which may be debuting a new beer at the event, wink wink. Some pretty cool out-of-town breweries are also attending, like Fullsteam (NC), Marz Community Brewing (IL), and Necromancer (PA). Bonus, save 20% on tickets with the code QUEERBEER22. VIP tickets include an extra hour at the fest (4.5 versus 3.5 hours), as well as food pairings. Think of it like SAVOR, but gay!
Speaking of Anxo, their Pride cider is now available, and they’ve done something new with it this year, lowering the alcohol by volume to a more, ahem, crushable 5.4%. “This year’s Pride cider is our first foray into lower-abv ciders,” they note. “At 5.4% ANXO Pride is a total crusher, meant for celebrating outside in June weather. It’s our lightest and most refreshing cider ever, but with a complex and fruity blend of Albemarle Pippin, Jonathan, and GoldRush apples.” Anxo has already donated $3,500 to the Human Rights Campaign. Drink this cider and maybe they’ll give even more.
Good beer, and cider, for a good cause. Go forth and enjoy, and happy pride!
