World Pride has come and gone, but we’re not done with partying for a good cause. The first annual This Could Go Boom! Music + Culture Fest is taking place next month at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Bladensburg, Maryland, a short bike ride from the DC border. We’re writing about this because there’s a beer angle, of course.
Streetcar 82 Brewing and yeast coaxers Patent Brewing Company have collaborated on a beer for the festival, but there’s a catch: there will be no beer at Bladensburg. Instead, there’s a launch party on Friday, June 27 at Streetcar for This Could Go Boom! the beer, with bands that are playing the festival.
Unlike your favorite hype brewery’s frooted sour, the beer will not go boom. It’s an India Pale Lager (5% ABV), dry hopped with Mosaic and Amarillo hops. The yeast comes from Patent, with a grain bill that’s predominantly pilsner malt. Both Streetcar and Patent donated their time and ingredients for the collab, because This Could Go Boom! is a nonprofit organization. Indeed, proceeds from the festival, and the beer, support gender diversity in music, which includes, via the This Could Go Boom! website, “record label services, professional development, community outreach, education, and performance opportunities for musicians and music industry workers whose genders have long been underrepresented, marginalized and excluded.”
“We thought a light, hopped lager would be a great beer for sipping at a summer music fest. We wanted to partner with S82 because they have been so supportive of the community and local music scene. We also saw similarities in the missions of TCGB and S82, both working to uplift their communities and promote equity in their respective industries,” festival co-organizer Krissi Humbard, and partner to Patent’s Matt Humbard, told us.
“This Could Go Boom! was thrilled to collaborate with Streetcar 82 Brewing and Patent Brewing on the festival IPL. Several of our organizers have played in bands at Streetcar 82 Brewing and we know they are experts at bringing people together for good times and conversation. Getting to be part of the beer making process was so hands-on in ways that are similar to DIY music creation and absolutely in line with our volunteer-led festival. It was a great reminder that whether it’s beer or songs, sharing our creative skills is part of the life force of our communities. And the beer is bursting with the flavors of summer! We can’t wait to share it,” adds This Could Go Boom!’s Erin Frisby.
The fest itself is July 26, with events leading up to it, and features nationally renowned acts like Speedy Ortiz, as well as singer/songwriter Crys Matthews and local bands like Peak Bloom and More AM Than FM. The latter two will play Streetcar 82 this Friday for the beer release.
Though the festival itself won’t allow alcohol–maybe next year!–second stages on July 26 at Streetcar 82, Maryland Meadworks, and Sangfroid Distillery should ease any pains you might have. Turn up for a good cause, turn up for music, and turn up for beer. We’ll see you there!
