28 Queer-Owned Alcohol Brands to Drink Year-Round (Not Just in June)
every june the internet remembers that queer people make things. the other eleven months, this list exists. these are alcohol (and a couple of zero-proof) brands where queer or LGBTQ+ ownership or founding is stated outright by the brand or confirmed by a reputable outlet, not just brands that put a rainbow on a can for pride. disclosure: gay water is ours, so it's first. the rest are in no particular order.
canned cocktails & spritzes
Gay Water
Canned vodka soda in lime, grapefruit, watermelon and peach: real vodka, sparkling water, natural flavor, 80 calories, 0 sugar, 4% ABV. Founded in 2023 by Spencer Hoddeson; queer-owned. Yes, this is us. Shop it here.
Supergay Spirits
Organic-corn vodka, Fire Island Dry Gin and "Two Fruits" canned cocktails out of Yonkers, NY ("farm to disco"). Founded by Aaron Thorp and Tom Jackson; queer-owned and operated, and donates to local LGBTQ+ organizations.
Anytime
Canned spritzes plus Regenerative Organic Certified vodka and gin, New York. Founded by Maddy Rotman and Taylor Lanzet; "created by queer women."
Social Hour Cocktails
Full-proof canned cocktails (Pacific Spritz, gin & tonic, whiskey mule) from Brooklyn. From Clover Club's Julie Reiner and Tom Macy, both LGBTQ+.
So Gay Rosé
Canned sparkling rosé, chardonnay and a non-alcoholic rosé from Oakville, CA. Co-founded by Tim Chan (gay) with ally Josh Campbell; self-described queer- and Asian-owned.
spirits
Future Gin
Southern California dry gin with Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and grape leaf, distilled in downtown LA. Founded by Amy Atwood, Mary Bartlett, Freya Estreller and Natasha Case; billed as the first all-queer, women-owned US spirit.
Republic Restoratives
Civic Vodka, Borough Bourbon, Rodham Rye, Dissent Gin and brandy from a DC distillery and bar. Co-founded by Pia Carusone and Rachel Gardner; women- and LGBTQ-owned.
Rhode Island Spirits
Forager's Gin, vodkas and liqueurs built on foraged Rhode Island botanicals, Pawtucket. Founded by Cathy Plourde and Kara Larson; lesbian-founded and queer-owned.
Catskill Provisions / Pollinator Spirits
Honey-finished rye, Beespoke gin, Live Proud Vodka and amaro from Callicoon, NY. Founder and head distiller Claire Marin is an out lesbian beekeeper and co-chair of Pride Callicoon.
Suncliffe Gin
Arizona gin made with native junipers and wild-foraged botanicals. From married couple Thomas Giddings and Ryan Lawrence with friend Clare Byrne; LGBTQ-owned.
Brighton Gin
Small-batch gin from Brighton, UK. Founder Kathy Caton MBE; the brand says it's the UK's first LGBTQ+ founded, owned and run distillery.
Reyalibre Tequila
Aerated blanco tequila out of Atlanta, launched 2025. Founded by couple Erica Jones and Asiaa Karriem; queer-, Black- and woman-owned, with a Pride flag on every bottle.
Apuesto Tequila
Barrel-rosa reposado aged in Napa cabernet barrels, Kansas City. Founder J. Josue Montes, a gay Latino, built it to uplift Latino and gay communities.
Saint Luna Moonshine
Charcoal-filtered molasses-and-rye moonshine from North Carolina. Founder David Suk (gay-owned and operated) with trans co-owner Aubrey Slater.
wine
Remy Wines
Northern Italian varietals (nebbiolo, sangiovese, lagrein) in Dayton, Oregon; also hosts Queer Wine Fest. Founder and winemaker Remy Drabkin is an openly lesbian former McMinnville mayor.
Equality Vines
Pinot noir, cabernet, albariño and a "Love Wins" sparkling rosé from Guerneville, CA. Co-founded by Jim Obergefell (yes, that Obergefell) and Matt Grove; proceeds support LGBTQ+ causes.
Eco Terreno Wines
Biodynamic Alexander Valley cabernet, sauvignon blanc and a Pink Pride Rosé that sends $1 a bottle to the SF AIDS Foundation. Owner and winemaker Mark Lyon is gay.
Birdhorse Wines
Organically grown California wines. From Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, "partners in love and wine."
ZAFA Wines
Native-ferment sparkling and fruit wines from Vermont. Owner and winemaker Krista Scruggs is a queer Black winemaker.
Aluel Cellars
Small-lot Washington merlot, grenache and malbec with Seattle tasting rooms. Owned by life partners Alex Oh and Simon Hilbert.
beer & cider
Gay Beer
A golden lager (Vienna malt, Mandarina hops) from Brooklyn that ships to 45 states. From same-sex couple Jon Moore and Jason Pazmino; donates to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
Dyke Beer
Mexican lager, a "Tall Girl" gose, saison and Out Stout from Brooklyn. Founded by Loretta Andro Chung and Sarah Hallonquist; lesbian-owned and funds dyke bars and events.
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
Craft beers and hard seltzers in Albuquerque (a 2026 James Beard Outstanding Bar nominee). Wife-and-wife founders Shyla Sheppard and Missy Begay; reported as the first Native-woman-owned US brewery.
Red Bear Brewing Co.
DC brewery and taproom with beers plus a "Woof!" hard seltzer. Founded by Bryan Van Den Oever, Simon Bee and Cameron Raspet; billed as DC's first 100% gay-owned brewery.
Lady Justice Brewing
Social-enterprise brewery in Englewood, CO, with profits going to women- and nonbinary-focused nonprofits. Owner Betsy Lay and wife Alison Wisneski; queer- and women-owned.
Sincere Cider
Dry craft ciders (ginger agave, seasonal flavors) from Oakland. Founder Bex Pezzullo is a queer woman; woman- and LGBTQIA+-owned.
zero-proof
Woodnose Sacré
Barrel-aged maple and coffee zero-proof spirit from a sixth-generation Vermont maple farm. Husband-and-husband founders Justin and Roger.
The Twisted Botanist
Botanical cocktail and mocktail mixers and sangria infusion kits from Phoenix. Founder Jake Graves; gay-owned and a sponsor of Arizona Pride.
know one we missed?
we only listed brands where queer ownership is on the record. if yours belongs here, email hello@gaywater.com with a link. and if you want this kind of thing weekly, join the watering hole.
