Gay-Friendly Beer: What's The Preferred Brand?

Gay Beer is a real thing. It's a craft beer, co-founded by a same-sex couple, Jason Pazmino and Jon Moore, and marketed to the LGBTQ+ community. It's a gluten-reduced golden lager with notes of honey and crisp citrus. But Gay Beer is not the only beer with LGBTQ+ links. Half of America's 10 most popular beers have LGBTQ+ partnerships, including Bud Light, Coors Light, and Budweiser.

Gay Beer, a golden lager, is owned by a same-sex couple and marketed to the LGBTQ+ community

Gay Beer is a golden lager crafted with Vienna malt and Mandarina hops, resulting in a refreshing, light-bodied beer with notes of honey and crisp citrus. It is brewed in Brooklyn, New York, and was launched in December 2018 by Loyal Brands, a company founded by same-sex couple and queer community members, Jason Pazmino and Jon Moore.

The idea for Gay Beer was born from the couple's observation that there was a lack of beer brands directly marketing to the LGBTQ+ community outside of once-a-year Pride stints. They recognised the purchasing power of the LGBTQ+ community and the absence of year-round, inclusive beer brands that celebrated and represented this diverse community. With Gay Beer, they set out to pioneer change and inclusivity in the beer market, honouring the rich heritage of LGBTQ+ communities while also recognising their present-day needs and desires.

The name "Gay Beer" is intentionally lighthearted, tapping into the idea of "gay panic" and the fear of otherness. Co-founder Jason Pazmino saw it as an opportunity to reclaim the word "gay" and remove any associated fear. The brand is meant to be inclusive, aiming to build bridges across all demographics. "You're holding a can that says 'gay', but you're still straight," Pazmino says. "We're a fun community. Come have a beer with us."

Gay Beer is currently available for delivery in 45 states and can be found in a range of bars and retail locations like Whole Foods. The brand also has an Instagram presence, @drinkgaybeer, where followers can stay updated on events and merchandise offerings.

In line with its mission, Gay Beer donates to LGBTQ+ organisations every quarter. For example, they recently held a fundraiser for Marsha's House, an LGBTQ+ youth shelter in the Bronx.

Five of America's top 10 best-selling beers have LGBTQ+ partnerships

While there is no specific brand of beer that is exclusively consumed by the LGBTQ+ community, there are some beer brands that have actively forged partnerships with this community. Interestingly, five of America's top 10 best-selling beers have had LGBTQ+ partnerships.

The top-selling beer in the US, Modelo Especial, faced backlash and a boycott from conservative consumers due to its collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. This partnership led to a significant drop in sales for Modelo Especial and other brands owned by its parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Despite this, Modelo Especial remains the top-selling beer, overtaking the previously dominant Bud Light.

Bud Light, which is also owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, has experienced a continuous decline in sales. The brand faced a boycott from conservative consumers due to its support for the LGBTQ+ community, which included a collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. As a result, sales of Bud Light remain down by around 28%.

Heineken, the third most popular beer in the US, has also shown its support for the LGBTQ+ community. Heineken USA was the official sponsor of the 2014 New York City Pride March, demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Another popular beer brand, Corona Extra, has also been associated with LGBTQ+ partnerships. While specific details are scarce, Corona Extra's parent company, Constellation Brands, has gained popularity through its ownership of Modelo Especial, which has been embraced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Lastly, Budweiser, which shares third place in popularity with Heineken, has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ causes. In 2019, Budweiser launched its "We Are Brewers" campaign, featuring a gay couple and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The brand has also been a sponsor of various Pride events, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to inclusivity.

Beers with LGBTQ+ partnerships include Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Michelob Ultra

While there is no definitive answer to the question "What brand of beer do gays drink?", there are several beer brands that have established partnerships with the LGBTQ+ community and actively support LGBTQ+ rights. These include Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Michelob Ultra.

Coors Light has been a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. The brand has been sponsoring the Denver PrideFest and supporting the Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ+ facility in the city. GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, has recognised Coors as "among the most progressive for its employee policies toward gays."

Budweiser, also known as Bud Light, has also demonstrated its support for the LGBTQ+ community through various partnerships and sponsorships. In 2019, the brand sponsored London Pride and Toronto Pride, and released a special rainbow-coloured bottle for World Pride to raise funds for GLAAD. Additionally, Bud Light partnered with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to support and amplify LGBTQ+-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19. The brand also released a video promoting its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which received some backlash from conservative commentators.

Miller Lite has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, dating back to the 1970s when it sponsored the leather-oriented Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. Throughout the years, Miller Lite has continued its support by sponsoring Pride events, raising funds for LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS nonprofits, and partnering with organisations like the Equality Federation and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. In 2021, Miller Lite launched its "Open & Proud" campaign, aiming to create safer and more inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in bars that serve their beer.

Michelob Ultra has also actively supported and promoted the LGBTQ+ community. The brand has released limited-edition "Pride Cans" featuring rainbow designs, with a portion of the sales supporting LGBTQ+ organisations like GLAAD. Michelob Ultra has also released inclusive ad campaigns featuring LGBTQ+ individuals and sponsored various Pride events across the United States. Additionally, the brand has been recognised for its support of LGBTQ+ employees, earning a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for four consecutive years.

These four beer brands, Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Michelob Ultra, have all demonstrated their commitment to inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community through their partnerships and initiatives. Their efforts have helped to foster a more inclusive environment and celebrate diversity, making them popular choices among LGBTQ+ consumers and allies.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, nonprofits, and social spaces benefit from Pride-themed beers

Secondly, Pride-themed beers help raise awareness and promote LGBTQ+ visibility. By releasing these beers, breweries signal their support for the LGBTQ+ community and showcase their commitment to inclusivity and diversity. For instance, Coors Light has been sponsoring the Denver PrideFest and supporting the Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ+ facility in the city, while also being recognised by GLAAD as "among the most progressive for its employee policies toward gays."

Thirdly, these beers create opportunities for LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and nonprofits to partner with breweries and gain exposure to a wider audience. By collaborating with breweries, these organisations can reach new supporters and raise awareness for their causes. For example, Big Alice Brewing's Biere de Fierte, a "Lemongrass Ginger Belgian Tripel," donates a portion of its proceeds to NYC's Ali Forney Center, which assists LGBTQ+ homeless and displaced youth.

Additionally, Pride-themed beers help foster a sense of community and connection within the LGBTQ+ community. Beers such as Gay Beer, founded by Loyal Brands, aim to "connect communities of beer lovers through the act of drinking good beer and supporting inclusivity." By celebrating Pride and LGBTQ+ culture through these themed beers, breweries create opportunities for individuals to come together and celebrate their shared identities and values.

Lastly, these beers contribute to the economic empowerment of LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses. By purchasing and supporting Pride-themed beers, consumers directly invest in these businesses, helping them thrive and gain recognition. This economic support is crucial for the long-term sustainability and growth of LGBTQ+-friendly spaces and businesses.

Gay Beer aims to build bridges across all demographics and be inclusive

Gay Beer is a craft beer brand created by and for the LGBTQ+ community. It was founded by real-life couple Jason Pazmino and Jon Moore, who noticed a lack of beer brands directly marketing to the queer community outside of Pride month. The brand aims to build bridges across all demographics and be inclusive, with the tagline "Be happy. Drink Gay Beer".

Gay Beer is designed to speak directly and authentically to diverse consumers and pioneer change and inclusivity in the beer market. It honours the rich heritage of the LGBTQ+ community while also recognising the integrity of the community in the present. The brand celebrates the connections made through sharing a beer with loved ones.

The name "Gay Beer" is intentionally lighthearted, but it also taps into society's gay panic and fear of otherness. Pazmino and Moore want to take the word "gay" back and show that there is no fear in it. They want to invite everyone to join the LGBTQ+ community for a beer and have a good time, regardless of their identity.

Gay Beer is brewed in upstate New York and launched in December 2018. It is a gluten-reduced golden lager with notes of honey and crisp citrus. It is sold in a range of bars and retail locations, including Whole Foods, and is available for delivery in 45 states. The brand also sells merchandise and hosts events, always serving fun and humour and making sure everyone is smiling.

Gay Beer also has a mandate to donate to LGBTQ+ organisations each quarter. The brand has previously held a fundraiser for Marsha's House, an LGBTQ+ youth shelter in the Bronx.

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