Pride is the civil rights movement of our generation. Fifty years ago this summer, New York City bar patrons of many genders, sexualities, and racial identities trapped a group of police officers inside the Stonewall Inn after they shut down the bar in yet another routine raid. Riots continued the following two nights as the LGBTQ community spread word that something unique was happening in Greenwich Village. Every June, Pride month, we celebrate their uprising with Pride parades that have come to resemble corporate advertisements rather than riots. It’s the time when Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queer and questioning folk celebrate their heritage, continue and intensify their ongoing struggle for equal civil rights and look forward to a brighter future. Today, Peaks and Pints highlights breweries that brewed beers in the name of Pride via a to-go beer flight we call Peaks and Pints Pilot Program: Pride On the Fly. By the way, the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association’s Tacomaprobono invites everyone to their Virtual Pride Parade video shoot at 12:30 p.m. Monday, June 15, in front of the First United Methodist Church in Tacoma.
Peaks and Pints Pilot Program: Pride On the Fly
Montucky Cold Snacks
4% ABV
Montucky Cold Snacks is a canned premium lager, specifically geared toward light beer consumers in Montana. As opposed to the status quo of microbreweries in the state that focus on refinement and sophistication in beer, Montucky Cold Snacks aims to differentiate itself by focusing on and appealing to customers through crisp cold refreshment, pricing, and the celebration of Montana culture — and gay rights. You see, Montucky’s blue can featuring a white pony galloping across a sunset caught some eyes and people began mentioning how the pony resembles a unicorn and the sunset resembles a rainbow. People asked Montucky founders Jeremy Gregory and Chad Zeitner to redesign the can for Pride month a unicorn and rainbow. They did, and then some: 8 percent of profits go to LGBTQ organizations from the sale of these cans.
Fremont Pride Seattle Kölsch
5.5% ABV, 20 IBU
“Pride, it’s not just about the rainbows, unicorns, and glitter; it’s about celebrating queerness and standing up for the safety and self-determination of the LGBTQ community. Really, it’s all about love.” So states Fremont Brewing’s descriptor of their Pride Seattle Kölsch. This celebratory Kölsch wraps a rainbow flag around the entire state via cans and draft. Net proceeds are donated to Seattle’s Pride Foundation. In regards to the Kölsch, it’s a sessionable brew with Huell Melon and Loral hops for notes of biscuit, hay, light citrus and a touch of honey.
Stoup Rainbow Bubbles IPA
5.7% ABV, 34 IBU
Stoup Brewing raises a glass of Rainbow Bubbles “to equality, compassion, and the incredible gift of loving people for who they are.” Stoup Pride month IPA Rainbow Bubbles doesn’t actually offer rainbow-colored bubbles, but it does offer a crushable IPA brewed with Hallertau Blanc and HBC 630 hops. They keep the aromas of gooseberry, white grape and tropical fruit in check with a malt bill of wheat and Pilsner malt. Expect tropical flavors and a moderately dry, easy-drinking IPA.
