Madison Plucknett
Strawberry Kolsch
She/Her
It would be hard to pass up Strawberry Kolsch for Pride. While she might not be the loudest, she is certainly among the proudest. She doesn’t have to work for the attention — she draws it in by waltzing into the cooler each summer. With her crisp, clean malt profile and perfectly timed addition of strawberries, she knows she’s worth it. She knows she’s the true star. And she doesn’t have to convince anyone. Catch Kolsch on her Strawberry Pride float this June, and volunteering with GLEAN and The Trevor Project all summer. She’ll get her beauty rest sometime in the fall.
Burning Daylight Double IPA
They/Them
Nothing says 1980s queer culture like Burning Daylight DIPA! Burning Daylight will be burning up the dance floor at all your local gay clubs and bars this Pride Month. Fierce, bold, and a striking 9.5% ABV, you simply cannot ignore Burning Daylight. Their smooth malt backbone creates balance for their hops to SHINE. AND SHINE THEY DO! This June, when you say “make it a double” we’ll just assume you mean Burning Daylight Double IPA. What? It’s what you want anyway.
Sixer Light Lager
He/Him
Sixer, well, Sixer is really trying. His daughter just came out of the closet last year, and he’s been putting in the work to acknowledge his light-beer privilege and unlearn his implicit malt bias. While he definitely forgets his daughter’s chosen name sometimes, he knows what all the letters in LGBTQIA+ stand for (even all the + ones) — and he and his wife just hung an ally flag in the window of their gated neighborhood. Hey, progress over perfection, right? Catch Sixer tagging along to all the local Pride Events, quenching thirst with his crisp and clean breadiness, and “paying reparations” to local queer-owned businesses.
Hop Static Channel 10
Ze/Zir/Zem
Ch. 10 is quite the character. Ze knows ze is here for a short time — but ze is for sure gonna try to make a difference while ze’s around. I mean, for one thing, Ch. 10 is our first can to use non-traditional gender non-conforming pro-nouns, and all the other cans have mad respect for zem. With bold, fun, juicy hop flavor, Ch. 10 is an intellectual. Ze majored in queer/gender-studies in college, and after zir stint as one of our Hop Static Rotators, Ch. 10 intends to start zir own non-profit called Hops for Homos (ze is still workshopping the name) — training bar & brewery employees around the US on how to make their space more welcoming and inclusive. GO CHANNEL 10! Today’s hop test, tomorrow’s future.
PIF Cocoa Porter
He/Him
Oh PIF. Our classic giver. PIF will always be the first to remind us that the first Pride was a riot. He has been around the block many a time. Donating to countless organizations, and offering guests a cozy, warm feeling — from both his roasty, toasty grain bill, and his sense of altruism. Cocoa Porter can be found this Pride sitting off to the side, observing, and supporting. He’s unassuming, but he’s amazing. Always down to help, but never takes the spotlight. PIF Cocoa Porter is one of the greatest philanthropists around, and yet, you’d never know it unless you know him. He’s a gem, and we are so excited for his warm and calming presence to provide a little balance to our excitement, rainbows, and parties.
Hop Pack
They/Them
Not technically one beer, but this core group of brews deserves some Pride Month love. This pack works hard year-round for those of us who cannot choose a beer (or a gender). IPA, Pennyrile, and our current Hop Static are always in there, providing tons of variety and hop flavor for everyone. You can find Hop Pack in your bisexual bestie’s fridge this Pride Month — for obvious reasons. It’s kinda the cuffed jeans or iced coffee of beer. IYKYK
Sun Shade Wheat
She/Her
WHAT A LADY is Sun Shade. She’s bright, she’s vibrant, she’s full of great flavor and she is wheat goodness. She is the lady on the corner giving free hugs, and adopting literally every person she can. Sun Shade is a sweetheart, and she will never abandon you. She will take a several month-long vacation in the middle of the year but she’s fostering cats, ok?! She’s coming back. Sun Shade’s bright cheeriness might feel a little insincere at times, but when you get to know her you’ll understand that her positive outlook comes from her genuine zeal for life, and her ability to survive any situation. Her citrus kick keeps her more on top of things than you may realize, and her classic wheat backbone keeps you coming back to her for advice and safety. In our opinion, Sun Shade is indispensable in the Pride Line Up.
Front Runner Festival Ale
She/They
Front Runner is still recovering from seeing Hozier and Noah Kahan at Railbird. This pansexual icon needs her beauty rest — and true Pride is year round anyway. Need we say more?
BREAKING: we have word she is doing her best to get out of bed for Chappell Roan at Kentuckiana Pride…
West Sixth IPA
He/They
The OG West Sixth beer. IPA screams inclusion from his six packs to his stovepipes. Being one of the first beers in our lineup, he’s familiar with growth, learning, and what it means to create an inclusive community space. He’s been working at it since 2012. Still the best selling IPA in Kentucky, West Sixth IPA is responsible for bringing a little more acceptance to many households. He’s also responsible for keeping the lights on and allowing us to continue our work with our community and non-profit organizations — including local Pride Festivals. Thanks IPA, you’re a real one.
Pride Y’all
She/Her/Hers/They/Them/He/Him (ANY)
Can’t have a pride post without our Pride Y’all Raspberry Sour! This beer is the fundraising arm of our Pride celebrations. Every time you buy a four-pack of her, he kicks-back a dollar to Lexington and Kentuckiana Pride Festivals. PLUS when you walk around with this pink beer at your local Pride Festival, or strut around town with the colorful and proud can in your hand, you’re showing all your neighbors that you are a safe person. That you support a community of equality, inclusivity, and diversity.
Beer is for Everyone — not just in June, but year-round. At West Sixth, we are always striving to do even better in our efforts to be inclusive, so, if you have a charity you’d like us to amplify, or an action step you’d like to see us take, please put those in the comments below.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Pride, I hope you do so proudly, safely, and lovingly.
If you or someone you know needs support, LGBTQ+ youth can get support from the Trevor Project by calling 866-488-7386 or visiting thetrevorproject.org. You can call Trans Kentucky at 859-448-5428 or visit transkentucky.com. Nationally, you can call the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or visit translifeline.org. And more generally, anyone can now call 988 for mental health crises.
About the Author
Madison Plucknett is the Marketing and Branding Coordinator at West Sixth Brewing, where she’s been since 2021. She’s a bisexual woman who loves theater, local goods, craft beer, her partner, and her pets — in no particular order. Madison believes local businesses should support their communities, and she’s proud to work at West Sixth, where she feels welcomed every single day, not just in June.
This year, Madison decided to keep things fun and silly. If you’re curious about West Sixth and Pride, check out last year’s blog post — it’s way more informative than this one. But hey, sometimes we all need to keep it light!
