Every year during June Pride Month, Minneapolis lights up with exciting events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. These festivities are the perfect way for local establishments to get involved in the Pride Month celebrations, show their support for the gay community, and connect with consumers. Over the weekend, one such event took place in Loring Park that stole the spotlight: the 7th Annual Beer Dabbler at Twin Cities Pride.
Like every year, the 2018 Pride Beer Dabbler was a resounding success that attracted thousands of Twin Cities locals. Attendees had a fantastic time roaming from booth to booth to fill up their rainbow silicone sampler cup provided by HopCat (included with ticket purchase) with unlimited pours from over 50 Minnesota breweries. From hard ciders to pale ales, to tasty porters and IPAs, there were brews to satisfy every person’s palate.
All of the breweries offered samples of themed beer inspired by icons (public figures, fictional characters, organizations, or symbols) in the LGBTQ+ community. For example, Minneapolis hotspot 612 Brew‘s icon was Ian McKellen and they offered a “Sir Ian McKellerbier”. Popular Northeast brewery Sociable Cider Werks chose Frank Ocean as their icon and offered a “Pink Matter” Passion Fruit Cider. Everyone also loved Pryes Brewing Company‘s brews inspired by Britney Spears.
The lines were long for many other local Twin Cities favorites, including Utepils Brewing, St. Paul’s Summit Brewing, and Bauhaus Brew Labs. Breweries located in other Minnesota areas also stole the spotlight, including Lakeville’s Angry Inch Brewing (offering a Grace and Frankie inspired brew) and Castle Danger Brewing, located in Two Harbors, MN. Everyone also went gaga for the Cher inspired “Do You Believe in Hops After Hops?” beer provided by Beaver Island Brewing Company, located in St. Cloud, MN.
While sampling the brews, attendees also interacted with an array of fantastic companies. The Premium Vendor, Alchemy 365, told attendees about their classes that combine yoga, strength, and conditioning to change the body and renew the mind. Beer lovers also played Hammer-Schlagen® and rode on a mechanical bull provided by Cowboy Jack’s. Blue Plate provided T-shirts for all of the volunteers and attendees danced to tunes by 89.3 The Current (the event’s media partner), a member-supported Twin Cities radio station.
A silent disco was provided by Greco Properties, which develops projects in hot Twin Cities neighborhoods. Attendees also loved trying kombucha by Bootlegger Brewing (the event’s designated driver sponsor) and learning about DDi — Drink & Drive Intelligently. The booths were also popular for Minnesota United FC (the event’s stage sponsor), Pioneer Press (a Media News Group newspaper in the Twin Cities), Minnesota Lottery, and Can Can Wonderland (the first arts-based public benefit corporation in Minnesota).
The top vendors were Pick & Shovel Wear‘s clothes inspired by the North, Ryan Deibele Agency (offering Life Insurance and more), Lyft, NE MPLS (a friendly neighborhood), Red Tent Henna, All Energy Solar (which makes solar affordable for home owners), Minnesota Made (a locally owned apparel company in the St. Croix River Valley), and the Metro Transit Twin Cities transportation resource. Attendees also learned about Revitalyte (a rehydration solution), Clear Health Chiropractic, and Continental Diamond.
In all, the 7th Annual Beer Dabbler at Twin Cities Pride was a fantastic opportunity for Minnesota breweries and lifestyle companies to spread awareness of their products and services and meet thousands of potential new customers. If you, too, are affiliated with a local Minnesota lifestyle brand or beer label, definitely consider sponsoring Pride Beer Dabbler 2019. It will help enhance your brand recognition in the Twin Cities and beyond.
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