Meet Jon Moore and Jason Pazmino. They are the real-life gay couple who are turning beer homosexual. Literally.
The guys are the proud founders of Gay Beer, a gluten-reduced golden lager first introduced to the market last December. The craft beer is brewed in upstate New York and sold at over 50 retail locations, including Whole Foods.
“I thought it was an opportunity to take the word back and show there is no fear in the word ‘gay’,” Pazmino tells Forbes on the eve of the Gay Beer’s one-year anniversary of hitting the market.
“The beer market has a reputation for being supportive of frat boys, the manly men,” adds Moore. “We thought of calling it Gay Beer and not being ashamed about it.”
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Some of the company’s taglines include: “Be happy. Drink Gay Beer” and “Go straight for Gay Beer.”
A lot of people jokingly ask: Does drinking Gay Beer make a person gay?
“That’s the one of the first questions we get,” Moore says. “Is this going to make me gay? If you’re lucky, yes.”
“It doesn’t make you gay,” adds Pazmino. “It makes you a better person.”
The company donates quarterly to various LGBTQ organizations. Last month, it held a fundraiser for Marsha’s House, an LGBTQ youth shelter in the Bronx.
Obviously, the company markets to gay clientele, though the brand is meant to be inclusive
“The reality is that there is a consumer that has been ignored,” says Pazmino. “It’s a sector that’s been told we don’t drink beer. There’s power in speaking to that consumer and creating loyalty.”
After making it through their first year on the market, the guys say they are hoping to expand in 2020 by offering two new flavors. They are considering an IPA and a blonde ale.
“We’re a fun community,” says Pazmino. “Come have a beer with us.”
Kangol2
Def have to try this.
Tombear
You do know the difference between a gay man and a straight man don’t you? A six pack!!!
winemaker
Finally something like this hit the market. Does anyone recall ‘Fat Bastard’ ale a few years ago. I tried it and it was tasty. I kept the bottle as a souvenir. Evidently some people were offended by the name and it was taken off the market as I haven’t seen it in several years. On the other hand, as a winemaker, I’m trying to promote wines in all their styles aren’t a strictly female thing or for stuck up wine geeks but an inclusive civilized beverage enjoyed by lots of gay men.As the ancient Romans said ‘In vinum veritas’
Kangol2
In vino veritas. Please do share the name of your wine or where people can buy it.
alterego1980
Gay beer is pretty good, it makes me want to try their IPA. Also, for anyone in South Jersey, don’t forget to check out Forgotten Boardwalk, an awesome brewery that is LGBTQ owned.
Tombear
I’m all for gay businesses and have invested my own money in these businesses. I sincerely hope these guys are very successful. Wealthy gay men should invest in gay owned businesses!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I’ve had multiple experiences the reverse of the title on this thread beer has made guys Gay (at least for a few hours….
:-p…)