5 Beverages that Support the LGBTQ+ Community
For Pride Month, we wanted to show how we support our LGBTQ friends whether at the ABC store or your local bottle shop. Since we seem to write a lot about booze, this list will skew to that end.
Chrysalis Vineyards, “Buttorfleoge” Norton Pet-Nat
Located in Middleburg, Virginia (that’s our state!), the winemaker/proprietor Jennifer McCloud says they focus on “Norton, the Real American Grape.” One of the few trans-owned and led vineyards in America, their wines are unpretentious, food-friendly, and delicious. We like this Pet-Nat, which is a funky, sparkling style that wouldn’t be out of place for a cocktail party or a pizza night.
Montifalco Vineyards, Meritage Blanc
If you’re into Meritage Blanc, this is your jam—seriously though, “Meritage” (a portmanteau of “merit” and “heritage”) is used to describe an American made wine that uses classic French Bordeaux varietals. This one is estate grown, so it too is local, in Abermarle county at Monticello. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion, this is a crisp, refreshing white that will impress your friends. Plus, it’s LGBTQ+ owned and it’s Pride Month. Drink up!
The Virginia Beer Company, Friends of Dorothy Pride IPA
While I’m normally a wine and cocktail drinker, there are occasions where a beer is a must. This Williamsburg (VA, not BK) based brewery is led with the philosophy that beer brings people together, and that the LGBTQ+ community should always be included. As a Queer-led brewery, they naturally had to make a kick-ass beer to represent for Pride. Enter the Friends of Dorothy (if you don’t understand this reference, you are likely under the age of 40) IPA, a hazy IPA with a unique hop blend every season. This year’s brew comes in at 7.3% and Amarillo, El Dorado, and Mosaic hops.
18.21 Bitters, Earl Grey
While not really a beverage in itself, bitters help coax flavors out of spirits to enhance a cocktail, much the same way salt can make food taste more like itself. Created by wife duo Missy and Kristin Koefod during the 2014 Atlanta “Snowpocalypse” (it wasn’t just the pandemic that caused people to take up new hobbies!), you can now find their craft bitters in 48 states, including Virginia. While they make a ton of styles, this particular formulation, with the classic Bergamot notes found in Earl Grey tea, adds layers of vanilla, and would cozy up well to gin, whiskey, or dark rums.
Crystal Head Vodka, Pride Edition
While you might immediately dismiss the skull-shaped bottle as a gimmick, this Canadian brand makes a great product, crafted from locally-sourced corn and distilled four times for purity. While not founded or led by members of the LGBTQ+ community, they donate proceeds from sales of their Pride bottle every year to the Kaleidoscope Trust, which is an international organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ human rights, such as providing safe housing to Pakistani trans women.
