When June hits, it’s time to support and celebrate. June is Pride Month, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. And while it may have initially began as a way to honor the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, which is credited as a milestone for the Gay Liberation Movement, it has become that and so much more. Pride Month is recognized as a way to stand in solidarity and to acknowledge the triumphs and the continued fight for equality amongst the LQBTQ+ community. With that, a huge array of cideries are raising a glass (or a can or bottle) and putting their pressed juice to good use. To celebrate Pride all month long – and beyond – we’ve rounded up nine cideries with Pride releases that are giving back to relevant nonprofits and organizations this month.
Blake’s Hard Cider – Armada, Mich.
Blake’s Hard has been releasing Rainbow Seeker as part of its Kinder Cider series for four years. Since then, they’ve donated more than $30,000 to LGBTQ+ nonprofits, and they’re not done! A deliciously tropical cider with pineapple and sage, this semi-sweet sipper is definitely doing some good. A portion of the proceeds of Rainbow Seeker is donated to the LGBT National Help Center, which provides free peer-support resources and national hotlines for youth and adults.
Urban Tree Cidery – Atlanta
Urban Tree is serving up a wonderfully dry cider with a “lil’ bit o’ funk.” For the month of June, 10 percent of the profits from Bottoms Up will be donated to the Atlanta-based nonprofit Lost-n-Found Youth. These proceeds will help to benefit the nonprofit as it works to end homelessness among Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Lost Boy Cider – Alexandria, Va.
A Lost Boy classic, Comeback Kid, is getting a Pride makeover for the month of June. The dry cider has been released in cans wrapped in the original Pride flag. With that, a portion of proceeds from these sales will go to The Trevor Project, a national organization focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth.
Anxo Cider – Washington, D.C.
A special summer 2021 release, Anxo’s Pride cider is primed for sipping. Made with 100 percent Northern Spy apples, this dry cider is not only tart, crisp and easy to sip, but it’s ready to do some good. Proceeds from this Pride release will be donated to Casa Ruby, a Washington, D.C., based nonprofit that provides peer and youth support, social services and programs for vulnerable and underserved groups.
Nine Pin Cider – Albany, N.Y.
Nine Pin has canned its Signature cider with a Pride month upgrade. This off-dry, crisp cider is super refreshing, and it’s decked out in a beautiful rainbow can. A portion of the proceeds from these special cans will be donated to OutHudson, a nonprofit devoted to improving quality of life and increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ community in Columbia County, N.Y.. In addition, proceeds will be donated to In Our Own Voices, a community organization dedicated to ensuring the survival and growth of the LGBT POC community.
Seattle Cider Co. – Seattle
Seattle Cider is splashing into summer with its Sparkling Papaya seltzer. It’s an easy sipper for the sunny season, and each sip means a donation to multiple LGBTQ organizations. The cidery is donating a portion of the proceeds to the Pride Foundation, Center on Halsted and the GSBA-Seattle, Washington’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce dedicated to advocating for civil rights and promoting LGBTQ+ tourism. Another bonus? Donations won’t stop when Pride month comes to an end. They’ll keep going year-round.
Lake City Cider – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Lake City Cider has released its District Pride Rosé to support Pride. Black currant house-fermented wine was blended with Lake City’s District 5 classic cider to produce a sipper packed with tart berries. A portion of the proceeds from each rainbow can will be donated to Egale Canada, an organization devoted to improving and saving the lives of LGBTQ people in Canada and worldwide through education, awareness and legal advocacy.
101 Cider House – Los Angeles
Making waves in California, 101 Cider House has released its Ginger Rouge featuring the flavor combo of apples, cherry and ginger. Portions of the proceeds from these colorful cans will be donated to Equality California, the state’s largest organization focused on advancing civil rights and social justice for all.
1911 Established – Lafayette, N.Y.
This New York based cidery has taken its Original Hard Cider and made it fabulous! As part of its Sapling Series, 1911 Established has decked out a rainbow can and even added glitter to the mix. Even better: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, devoted to helping people self-determine gender identity and express themselves freely regardless of income or race.
