There’s nothing better than having a few cold drinks, knowing that your enjoyment will not just benefit you but, in fact, others. There are many options to enjoy, whose producers and manufacturers are supporting global equality, feminist rights organisations and refugee projects. Take your pick, pour yourself another glass and partake in some selfless libation.
The Most Illegal Beer
Produced by Viennese feminist craft beer brand Muschikraft and brewed by Berlin’s Vagabund Brauerei, The Most Illegal Beer launched on International Women’s Day this year as a global statement against gender inequality. How? From the brewing process to the delivery, The Most Illegal Beer is produced solely by women, and as such, breaks laws from over 50 countries, which prohibit women from doing things like working night shifts, producing alcohol or driving a truck. The malty pale ale is available at some of the city’s best bars, including Lager Lager, Protokoll and Home Bar. Sales of every bottle raise money for the gender equality organisation, Women For Women International.
Quartiermeister
The social business Quartiermeister have been pumping beer into Berlin since 2010, channelling a large parts of their profits back into the community. Based in Kreuzberg, these purveyors of philanthropic booze run their company as a voluntary association and a non-profit organisation. In fact, the company boasts that it is the first German beer brand with a Gemeinwohl-Bilanz (A balance sheet that reveals to what extent the company serves the common good). Available across the city, and elsewhere in Germany, the beer brand offers several organic beers and radlers as well as alcohol-free editions.
- Available to order here.
BRLO Pride Queer Beer
One of the most recognised names for quality beer in Berlin has long been supporting diversity issues and been a strong advocate for the city’s queer community. In addition to their more recent VIVA VIKTORIA VICTORY, a beer that supports Berlin’s independent women’s football team, FC Viktoria Berlin, BRLO also released their Pride Queer Beer. With every bottle sold of this light, hoppy beer, the brewery donates 20 cents to Queeramnesty, the division of Amnesty International that promotes and fights for LGBTQ+ rights across the world. Needless to say that this isn’t just beers for queers – this is for everyone.
- Available to order here.
Sekko Soziale
The time has come for champagne socialists, because with every litre of the bubbly stuff sold, EXIT-Deutschland – an organisation that helps people break away from right-wing extremism – receives a donation to help fight far-right crime in Germany. A joint venture by two West-German wineries, Bioweingut Hemer and Weinkellerei Josef Drahten, Sekko Soziale breathes political action through its sparkling sweetness. Available in sparkling, semi-sparkling, rosé and white varieties, with alcohol-free editions to boot and available at most good Spätis, supermarkets and clubs, there are ample opportunities to raise a glass and fight neo-Nazis in style.
- Available to order here.
SOLIDRINKS
Starting out back in 2015, the team behind your favourite caffeinated beverages, SOLIMATE and SOLICOLA, have been campaigning against discrimination and racism. The 100% non-profit activist organisation has been active at events and festivals, spreading their message and funding various refugee initiatives through their drink sales. To date, amongst many other worthy projects, they’ve been responsible for helping fund Bikeygees, an organisation teaching women and girls to ride a bike, Give Something Back To Berlin’s (GSBTB) Music School programme. Need we say more? Exactly, so next time you’re tired and need a buzz, reach for the worthy altruists, Solidrinks.
- Available to order here.
