Denver Beer Queers Offers a Safe Space for Connection

Back in 2016, Denver Beer Queers founders Jim and Mike decided to create a group via the app Meet Up to connect with more local beer-lovers within the LGBTQ community. Inspired by similar brewery meet-up groups, the two friends crafted DBQ in hopes of providing space for queer folks to come out, share some brews, and make lasting connections. 

At its humble beginnings, Denver Beer Queers meet-ups saw numbers ranging from 10 to a dozen queer beer lovers. Now, post-COVID, the Facebook group has over 2,000 members, and meet-ups range anywhere from 30 to 40 people. As of July, when the group celebrated their five-year anniversary, DBQ had visited a grand total of 123 breweries: 93 as stand alone meetups and 30 as part of a tour. 

Since the group’s inception, one of the founders, Jim, has moved out of state. Filling in as a lead organizer is Stephen Adams, also known as the Colorado Beer Geek, whose vast knowledge of Colorado’s beer scene has helped shape the group to what it is today. Other organizers including Kade and Alex help to make sure DBQ remains a safe and accepting space for all. 

“I was browsing Facebook one day when I found the group, and I thought, those are things that I am or like,” says Alex, DBQ organizer. “I went to my first meeting by myself, and I figured, worst case scenario, it’s a bunch of gay guys, and nobody relates to me. But in the end, it helped me not only find my place in the beer world but also within the LGBT community.” 

The first thing you’ll notice at a DBQ meetup is that every part of the LGBTQ community is represented by its members, from elder queers to fresh faces, from bi and pan people to trans and nonbinary folks. And they will all treat you like family. 

“This is a group about friendship,” founder Mike Paré tells OFM. “There really are no cliques; everyone tends to interact and get along with everyone else.” 

And beyond the group itself, the Colorado brewery community is a family of its own. When asked about their favorite spots, all four organizers had resounding reviews for a microbrewery called Launchpad. Located just outside Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Launchpad offers over 31 different brews with a fun space and aeronautical theme. 

 “When I transitioned, and announced my transition from lesbian to transgender male, the first time I came back [to Launchpad], everyone who works there came out from behind the bar and gave me a hug and told me how much they love me and supported me,” says DBQ organizer Kade. 

As a community, DBQ offers different things for everyone, including each of the organizers. From forming lifelong friendships to making meaningful work connections, to simply supporting local breweries which have struggled over the last year. 

“Generally, I’m quite introverted,” DBQ organizer Stephen Adams says. “But through becoming an organizer here, I’ve taken up responsibility to go up to and say hi to those new people. Which has been a good thing for me to force myself to get out there and become more of a part of that community.” 

Currently DBQ posts events via both the Meet Up app as well as their Facebook page. They held four meet ups in July and are planning more for August, as well as possible collaborative events with breweries and smaller tap rooms. For more information about DBQ and their upcoming events, find them on social media under Denver Beer Queers.