Swan Song Czech Style Lager 4.6% (440ml)

Well, here she is, the last ever beer brewed in our big gay brewery. This is a bittersweet moment: we are naturally heartbroken to be closing down and saying goodbye to Queer Brewing, a brewery and business that has been a labour of love, passion, and hard work for seven wonderful (and exhausting!) seven years. But we're also filled beyond measure with pride: we've achieved more than we ever could have imagined, and we've done some pretty amazing and special things over the years, and that will last far longer than the feelings of grief and loss. From the start, our founder Lily's intentions for Queer Brewing were to exist as visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community in a field where there was little to none, and that's exactly what we did as we showed up for our community, and, in turn, our community showed up for and supported us as they joined us for the ride. None of what we've done would have been possible without the enduring, heartfelt, and greatly appreciated support of both the queer community and the beer world, and we'll remain eternally grateful for that love. We're lucky to have done something for this many years that changed people's lives, been present during beautiful life events, made people feel seen, safer, or part of something, but we experienced all of that and more in return from so many people we've encountered through Queer Brewing. And that's a gift we never could have believed possible when this queer little thing began. Although this is the end of Queer Brewing as it is, it will live on in some way—even if that's just through whatever legacy we leave, or the memories we've helped create. Swansong is a tribute to all of that in some way: a nod to our brewing influences and aims from the start, and to how we've always wanted our beers to be enjoyed. It's a simple, delicious, and approachable and accessible pale Czech lager, building on tradition with a fruity little flick of that darling limp wrist. Based on a gorgeous Czech pilsner recipe, it uses Sladek hops in the boil, with just a smidge of Cashmere in the whirlpool for a hint of tropical fruit throughout. We couldn't leave you with a beer lacking in whimsy, flair, and camp, now, could we? All of that to say: thank you for seven amazing years; this has been a privilege. We'll see you around, maybe for a beer or two. Aroma: soft white bread, a gentle herbal snap, cut grass, lemon zest, and a fluttering of stone fruit. Palate: more grass, herbacious zip and snip, a whiff of peach, and citrus brightness.