Please note that this product has been reduced due to a short shelf life. Best before: 1 June 2022. PoLAri is a new collaboration between Portobello Brewery and Stonewall Housing Association. Maris Otter provides a rich and malty base to this beer, Amarillo hops add thirst-quenching bitterness, and a seven-day dry hop of Eldorado and Citra imparts a blast of juicy lime, mango and passionfruit. But this is more than just a delicious vegan-friendly Pale Ale; it’s a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and an awareness-raising education for their allies. Polari is a secret language used originally by people in theatres and fairgrounds, but later adopted by gay people in the 20th Century to skirt the UK’s strict anti-homosexuality laws, as the local ‘sharpy’ (meaning policeman) was unlikely to understand. In this language, ‘polari’ means to talk, so pull up a chair, crack open a ‘bona buvare’ (good drink), and let’s have a chat… According to Dr Justin Bengry, who convenes the world’s first MA in Queer History at Goldsmiths, the use of coded language has always been “critically important” for the LGBTQ+ community, who relied on this code, doublespeak and slang to keep themselves safe. Polari was based on a mixture of Romance languages, Romani and various kinds of slang, but it constantly evolved, incorporating a wide array of influences like Yiddish, Hindi and Irish. Some of the words might be familiar, such as ‘barney’ (fight) and ‘scarper’ (run off), but others may be less so, in the case of ‘bungery’ (pub) and ‘riah zhoosher’ (hairdresser). Usage of this sassy secret subculture language began to decline in the 1960s with the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality. However, you only have to think of the solidarity and fun enjoyed by the characters in Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin as they merrily chime “La!”, to realise that this coded language’s influence lived on. Maybe that’s why the LA is capitalised in the beer’s name. Not content with simply teaching us history, PoLAri also gives back. For every pint sold, Portobello Brewery will donate 10p to Stonewall Housing Association. This inspiring charity has been providing positive change and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people since 1983, ensuring that tens of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people can live in safety, free from fear, and get on with celebrating their identity. Portobello Brewery was founded by Rob Jenkins (a beer industry veteran) and Farooq Khalid (a brewing and engineering whizz). They and their small team have been crafting beers and ales of distinction in West London since 2012. That might not sound that long ago, but it’s worth remembering it was three years before the UK allowed same-sex marriage.

£0.91 per 100.00ml