In a beer world that can seem overwhelmingly straight, cis, white, and male, Queer Brewing is here to change the game with its delicious brews. The brewery recently teamed up with the incredible Queer Britain museum to brew up a limited-time-only beer to raise funds for the museum. Regardless of whether or not you want to support the museum, an LGBTQ+ brewery, or love craft beer, you won’t want to miss this collaboration.
‘To Be Seen’ is a quaffable and hoppy pale ale that boasts flavours such as citrus, mango, pineapple, and more. The name of the beer and the label are inspired by Queer Britain’s ‘To Be Seen’ campaign. The campaign features artworks that were created by members of the LGBTQ+ community, who filled in the phrase ‘it’s ___ to be seen’ with their messages and stories.
From April through to the end of June, Queer Brewing will donate 10% of the profits from the beer to support Queer Britain.
Queer Brewing
Queer Brewing is a “London-based queer and trans-owned brewery” that stormed into the craft beer scene back in 2019. Founder Lily Waited started the company “to increase visibility and representation for LGBTQ+ people through beer”. It first started out as a collaborative movement. Lily Waite partnered up with other breweries to brew special releases that then raised “tens of thousands of pounds for LGBTQ+ charities in numerous countries”.
Queer Brewing now offers a core range of beers as well as a number of limited-edition beers. Oh, and the beer is among some of the best in the country. They make everything from smashable lagers to hop-forward pale ales and IPAs, and fruit-filled sours. They also make, in my humble opinion, the very best witbier you can find in the UK: Flowers.
Queer Brewing isn’t just raising money for LGBTQ+ charities, they’re carving out their own space in the beer world. And along the way, they’re proving that, as much of their merch says, “All beer is gay beer”.
Where to try the beer
Queer Brewing holds sporadic pop-up tap rooms at their home in East London’s Leyton, on the Letyon Industrial Estate. This is the best space to try their delicious beers, buy some merch, and hang out with like-minded people. Their next pop-up will run on Friday, June 7, from 4-10pm, and Saturday, June 8, from 12-10pm.
Otherwise, you can find the beer for sale on the brewery’s website, or you may even find it at your local craft beer pub, taproom, or shop. You can find your nearest stockist here.
Keep an eye on Queer Brewing’s socials for news of their upcoming pop-ups, and other exciting brews and events. Find out more about the Queer Britain museum, and keep up to date with their events, here.