Chicago Drag Superstar, Activist, and Queer Icon Shea Couleé Just Launched a Beer

If you understand about drag queens, you learn about Shea Couleé. The superstar from Chicago was a fan-favorite powerhouse in season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and is back to slay on the existing season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

In addition to starring in the television series, Shea is a recording artist who just released a brand-new song called “Collide,” an activist for the queer neighborhood and people of color, and now, a beer maker. Made in collaboration with Goose Island, another Chicago icon, Shea Coul-Al é is “a lemony, brilliant wheat ale that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and returns.” A portion of the profits benefits TransTech, a company “devoted to producing detailed professional training, and job positioning for Trans women looking to get a running start in the labor force.”

With social distancing on the mind, we gave Shea a ring to talk about how it feels to have actually a beer named after you, how Pride looks various this year, what it suggests to be a queer Black icon in the midst of a motion, and why Chicago is the “bomb.com.”

Travel + Leisure: How did your beer, Shea Coul-Al é, become?

Shea Couleé: “In 2015, Do312 reached out to me and they had actually already started the conversation with Goose Island about wanting to create a bridge in between [these] totally different neighborhoods: Drag Race lovers, drag queen enthusiasts, and beer enthusiasts. So when they brought the concept to me, I resembled it’s type of wild that they think this will work, since normally when you think of drag queens, you don’t actually believe about [them] as beer drinkers– we’re usually mixed drink kind of gals. And myself not being the biggest beer drinker worldwide, [I] saw it as a chance to diversify my brand name in a really intriguing method.”

What does Shea Coul-Al é taste like?

“It’s got a good light flavor to it. It’s terrific for summer, however at the same time, it’s not too hoppy. It’s full-bodied and not for individuals that are actually big beer lovers. What I like about the beer most is that I feel that it’s [for] a lot of different schemes. It’s an extremely friendly beer.”

Why did you choose to partner with TransTech and what does the organization do?

“The first individual I believed of was Angelica Ross. She and I have actually been good friends for a long period of time. She’s the founder of TransTech. And even when I was showing up being an infant queen, she was constantly someone in the community that was actually presenting a lot effort, amplifying and uplifting experiences for Trans people. TransTech [offers] training and resources for Trans individuals to enter the labor force, due to the fact that they face a greater discrimination rate. It’s truly crucial due to the fact that we’re adding to individuals’s livelihood– we’re helping them get more opportunities and better possibilities to look after themselves.”

Pride looks different for everybody around the world this year, considering COVID-19 and the demonstrations versus racial oppression. What does Pride appear like for you?

“This Pride, specifically with whatever that’s been going on politically, it’s really calling back to the foundation of the LGBTQIA motion, where it started in the Stonewall riots of ’69. For me, what I’m truly trying to concentrate on [throughout] Pride is buying my community, attempting to ensure that I am here to support and get resources to people who need the many.”

Exist any methods you’re wishing to honor Pride in Chicago this year?

“Chicago is gradually in the procedure of opening back up. [We’re] exercising care, keeping down the numbers, and avoiding large groups, which, regrettably for the normal design of a drag queen, it is our objective to gather big groups of individuals. So what I’m trying to do this Pride– when I’m attempting to celebrate– is really simply concentrate on advocacy. I feel like that is very important.

And also with Drag Race All Stars airing today, being an extremely noticeable queer Black individual is a kind of advocacy for me. It’s being able to be on such a substantial platform and … share my story with people all throughout the world.”

What is it like returning to RuPaul’s Drag Race for season 5 of All Stars?

“It’s been such a delight. I have actually always been a fan of Drag Race– it influenced me to actually go out there and get my feet damp and try drag. And to be able to be part of this fantastic legacy is truly humbling, [specifically] seeing the fans who have actually been super-supportive. I’m simply delighted that I can be present in this time to provide any type of escape and inspiration for the LGBTQ community and specifically ones of color.”

What would you state to someone who hasn’t came across a drag queen or doesn’t understand the culture?

“I would state that for anyone who is not acquainted with the culture … look past the hair, the heels, and the mindset, and try to find the heart because that’s really the structure of the show. There’s so much heart that goes into making it– the stories of the ladies, the candidates, and what we’re doing while we’re there. I think now it’s more crucial than ever for us to be able to share our stories, [and] be vulnerable and open about our experiences, because it causes more inspiration and freedom.”

Why do you represent Chicago?

“There’s such an amazing assistance system here in Chicago that I just actually can’t get away from. I like it here a lot. I enjoy how individuals are encouraging. I like that individuals keep it genuine. You know, it’s the Midwest, so we’re great individuals, but we also do not tolerate much bullshit. And that’s extremely much a reason that I love Chicago. Not to point out the fact that I am so indebted to this fantastic, amazing community as they [have assisted cultivate] me into becoming the drag queen that I am today. And I simply hope that I can also be a representation for Chicago drag since I think Chicago drag is the bomb.com.

“Collide” by Shea Couleé & & Gess featuring Mykki Blanco is out now. And make sure to watch on Shea’s YouTube channel for a new cooking show, Cooking With Couleé, coming out soon. More info about Shea Coul-Al é can be found on Goose Island’s website.”