We may be taught to remember the 5th of November, but on Friday 6th we open our latest UK bar, in the entertainment playground of London - Soho. And today we are unveiling a brand new beer – capturing the spirit of Soho itself.
No Label is the world’s first ‘non-binary, transgender beer’ designed to reflect the diversity of the area and champion inclusivity. This 4.6% ABV Kölsch has been brewed with hops that have changed sex from female to male flowers prior to harvest. We have used these to emphasise that, just like humans, beer can be whatever the hell it wants to be, and proud of it.
And you can buy it right now, in the online shop
No Label has been created in partnership with LGBTQI+ events organisers Queerest of the Queer; an organisation that celebrates the diversity and talent of the LGBTQI+ community. We are donating all profits from the sale of No Label to Queerest of the Queer to in turn support charities aiding transgender youth communities. “We see a huge number of parallels between BrewDog and Queerest of the Queer – we’re cut from the same cloth and believe in much the same things," explains Dr J, the organisation's co-founder.
"Inclusivity is a huge deal for us, and is at the heart of everything we do. When we met the BrewDog team recently, we discussed what it means to live beyond the L and G in LGBTQI+, and delved deeper into the areas where labels don’t really translate anymore. BrewDog was super responsive and respectful and we could see their approach to diversity and inclusivity in brewing is pretty close to what it means to Queerest of the Queer."
As befits the Kölsch style, we have brewed No Label with ale yeast and then cold-conditioned to give characteristics of a lager – a beer that blurs boundaries between the binary worlds of lager and ale. The beer draws parallels with individuals who identify themselves in a similar ‘non-binary’ way, as neither exclusively male nor female – a community of people that is still largely under-acknowledged by society.
We have also looked at the traditions of brewing – where female hop plants are used and male hop bines discarded (as the flowers don’t grow into full cones). For No Label, we have worked with the fantastic team at Charles Faram to source Jester hops – a varietal naturally prone to altering sex whilst growing – and brewed No Label with 20kg that have undergone this change and grown male flowers; to add diversity, rather than restrict it.
On Friday 6th November, from 12pm, No Label will debut on draft at our newest venue, BrewDog Soho, on Poland Street in the heart of London. We are hugely excited to be able to give the beer scene in the centre of the capital the shot in the arm it desperately needs with a two-floor 40 tap (20 on each) focal point for craft beer less than a hundred steps from the busiest street in Europe.
Inside, each floor has a vibe in keeping with the atmosphere of the surrounding streets; from the energy of the ground level to the relaxed basement below, BrewDog Soho has it totally covered. Both will be majoring in super-fresh craft beer – but only one harbours a very special Soho Secret (clue: lift the handset if you are at all curious)…
BrewDog Soho is also leading with way with an innovative new food menu compiled by Wyatt, our guru of eats. This menu will feature a variety of patty melts, sharing plates tailored to the beer, and hot dogs.
Your new craft beer destination for central London launches at 12pm this Friday. A stone’s throw from Oxford Street, we can’t wait to bring amazing beer and food to the people of this energising, distinctive and fully accepting area of the city.
And don’t forget, No Label is available to buy in the online shop right now. It will also launch in all of our UK bars on draft at 6pm this Friday.
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