Let’s face it. The LGBTQIA+ communities throw the best parties: big, shiny affairs that make you feel like sunrise is never going to come. One of the biggest parties Sydney has ever seen arrives this week when Sydney WorldPride 2023 kicks off on Friday, 17 February. And fair to say, plenty of beverages are going to be required.
There are many partnerships in place, but for now, here are some of Australia’s biggest drink companies which have come on board to help with the 17 day long celebration of gender identity and pride culture wherever it might sit on the spectrum of the rainbow.
Lion
Lion’s Little Creatures has released a limited-edition product range to celebrate its partnership as official beer partner of Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride 2023.
The national rollout of the limited-edition range sees several of the Little Creatures products revamped, sporting vibrant, pastel colours and illustrations in homage to the Mardi Gras celebrations this year.
Ed Jamison, Head of Marketing – Craft, said: “Little Creatures is proud to partner with the LGBTQIA+ pride festival to celebrate queer joy, diversity and inclusion. Our partnership with the festival is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to supporting rainbow communities, and to celebrating Aussie pride culture.”
Little Creatures is returning for its second year as the official beer partner of the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and WorldPride for the first time.
Lion’s ongoing work with the LGBTQIA+ community also includes a partnership with Bobby Goldsmith Foundation via its special release beer Brooklyn Brewery Stonewall IPA, which raises money for Australia’s longest-running HIV charity.
Limited-edition product range
- Little Creatures Pale Ale (5.2%), 330ml bottle – 6 pack RRP$25 // 24 pack RRP $73
- Little CreaturesPale Ale (5.2%), 375ml can – 4 pack RRP $20 // 16 pack RRP $61
- Little Creatures Pacific Ale (4.4%), 375ml can – 4 pack RRP$x20 // 16 pack RRP $61
- Little Creatures Hazy IPA (6%), 375ml can, 4 pack RRP$25 // 16 pack RRP $73
- Little Creatures Little Hazy Lager (3.5%), 375ml can – 4 pack RRP$17.50 // 16 pack RRP $53
Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
For those in Sydney, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is partnering with Little Creatures Pale Ale, DeBortoli & Kylie Minogue Wines for this year’s Mardi Gras pre-game event with a 5-hour premium food and drinks package with colourful canapés, Little Creatures Pale Ale, Kylie Minogue wine and King Valley Prosecco.
- When: Saturday 25th February 4 pm- 9 pm
- Where: Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
- Price: $229
TWE
As the official wine of Sydney WorldPride 2023 – the mega Mardi Gras that’s set to be the biggest event in the harbour city since the 2000 Olympics – Squealing Pig is raising awareness of the diversity of LGBTQIA+ communities with nine versions of its Rosé.
From now through to mid-March, Squealing Pig is switching out the labels on every 750ml bottle of Rosé across the country with nine limited-edition Pride Labels. Every case of 750ml Squealing Pig Rosé ordered across Australia will come with a random selection of the labels inside. Featuring cheeky rhymes that celebrate every letter of the LGBTQIA+ acronym and allies, Rosé lovers can toast to a summer of love, pride and diversity with their mates.
Kaushik Lal, from Squealing Pig says: “We have been working closely with a range of representatives of the nine communities – both from the Squealing Pig team and externally – to bring our Pride Labels to life so that we can shine a spotlight on the rainbow community in a meaningful way that remains true to Squealing Pig.
“So, here’s to celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or non-binary, transgender, intersex, asexual, pansexual and other gender-diverse communities over a refreshing glass of rosé this summer,” says Lal.
Endeavour’s Loud & Proud
Endeavour Group will launch a hot new take on its Loud & Proud range of beverages, with all profits to be donated to Pride Foundation Australia, a non-profit that works to increase philanthropic support for the Australian LGBTQIA+ and allied communities.
Boasting a non-alcoholic product for the first time, the range includes five different drinks, including a zero-alcohol sauvignon blanc, prosecco, rose, seltzer and pale ale.
Artist Meg Minkley designed the artwork for the range. She said, “Not only is this a beautiful project supporting queer artists and the community, but it’s an opportunity to allow the colours in my artwork to speak to the heart of everyone, every body, all shapes and stories. It’s not about a simple rainbow, it’s about the whole spectrum of colour.”
The 2022 Loud & Proud range raised more than $350,000 for Pride Foundation, to continue its leadership in LGBTQIA+ philanthropy, and Proud at Endeavour are excited to see this year’s launch go one step further.
Dr Ruth McNair, Chair of Pride Foundation said, “The whole range was brought to life in record time last year – around two months from idea to creation – which speaks to the passion of the team behind it, and the incredibly inclusive culture we are so lucky to be a part of at Endeavour Group.
“One year later, we are launching the range for the second time and it is set to become an annual tradition, and we will get louder and prouder about it every year. We hope to see our customers really get behind it once again too.”
To support Pride Foundation Australia, the full Loud & Proud range will be available for purchase from selected ALH hotels, Dan Murphy’s, and BWS stores, and through Jimmy Brings from 16 February 2023.
The Loud & Proud Prosecco, rosé and Zero% Alc1 sauvignon blanc are $14.00 a bottle. A 4-pack of Loud & Proud seltzer is $20.00. A 6-pack of Loud & Proud pale ale is $21.00.
Archie Rose
Archie Rose Distilling Co returns as the official gin partner to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and
Sydney WorldPride 2023 and to celebrate they are launching an Essensual Lube created together with
sexual wellness company LBDO.
Featuring artwork by local queer artist, Luke John Matthew Arnold, Archie Rose x LBDO Essensual
Lube is being offered as a complimentary gift with the purchase of two celebratory Sydney
WorldPride Bottled Cocktails, Peaches on Beches and Harbour Cruisin’, as well as a customised
WorldPride Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin created in tribute to the LGBTQIA+ global community.
Peaches on Beaches @ $59 is a limited edition WorldPride Bottled Cocktail that serves as a tongue in-
cheek ode to long, sticky days recovering on your favourite Sydney beach with the sand between
your toes and the taste of salty peaches on your lips. It features Signature Dry Gin along with joyous
notes of peach, mango, elderflower, native lemon myrtle and a touch of salt.
https://archierose.com.au/shop/product/peaches-on-beaches-mardi-gras-bottled-cocktail/
Harbour Cruisin’ @ $59 is the second limited edition WorldPride Bottled Cocktail created as a breezy
summer aperitivo inspired by Sydney Harbour, the world’s most beautiful beat. It features Archie Rose
Signature Dry Gin, Campari, forest berries, and the quintessential flavours of native Australian
waxflower and pink peppercorn.
https://archierose.com.au/shop/product/harbour-cruisin-mardi-gras-bottled-cocktails/
