Competitive climber Alex Johnson has accomplished a great deal over the course of her career. She won gold at the Bouldering World Cup in 2008 (the first on US soil) and 2010, took first in UBC Pro Tour Championships in 2012 and has accomplished numerous first female ascents. And after coming out of retirement after three years away from the sport, she earned her way onto the US National Team which will compete this summer in Tokyo, Japan. But one of her most recent accomplishments involves her work as with Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster equal access, opportunity and experience in sports for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Johnson came out in 2018 and has been an ambassador for Athlete Ally ever since. That work recently brought her to San Diego to collaborate with non-alcoholic beer company Athletic Brewing on a collaborative Strata-hopped hazy blood-orange IPA that will raise funds to set up a symposium to help coaches create safe spaces where LGBTQI+ youth can feel comfortable coming out. Dubbed Rainbow Wall, the beer will be available on Athletic’s website beginning on the first day of Pride Month, June 1. We were able to catch up with Johnson and find out more about this meaningful endeavor and more.
How did the opportunity to brew a beer with Athletic arise?
I was able to see, first-hand, the amazing work Athletic did with the Soul Sour beer it brewed during Black History Month in February and decided to approach them about doing something for Pride Month. I wanted to support our community and Athletic was excited and willing to work together in order to create something really meaningful to help us! I thought it was rad that a beer company was willing to help. They have been a great partner in all aspects of our collaboration, from getting to a beer that is exactly all that I’d imagined, to having fun outdoors to capture amazing content, to developing an incredibly meaningful program that is going to impact young athletes in the LGBTQI+ community. I couldn’t have picked a better brand to join forces with.
How did you and the Athletic team decide what type of beer to brew?
It was a collaborative process. I really enjoy beers that are refreshing and easy to drink—something to enjoy mid-trail or after a hard workout or climb. And I love citrusy beers! I connected with Athletic’s head brewer, John Walker, on different occasions to discuss the flavor profile, and that’s how we got to the slightly hazy IPA style. The beer has higher-than-usual carbonation and a zesty finish from the fresh blood orange. John was able to get all the elements I love in a brew and get to Rainbow Wall, a bright, light and refreshing beer with just 70 calories.
What does it mean to be involved in a project that brings more attention to the LGBTQI+ community?
I am excited to present this beer to the queer community, particularly those athletes who don’t feel like they have a safe space. Eighty percent of LGBTQI+ athletes are not comfortable coming out to their coaches. The suicide rate with trans youth is so high. Athlete Ally’s mission resonates with me because I was one of those athletes that was afraid to come out. More than just launching a beer to raise awareness, which is great, Athletic is actually developing a program that will effectively help to build safer spaces for youth, high-school and college athletes to feel safe coming out in through their partnership with Athlete’s Ally. To me, that’s the key: making sure we are actually creating a culture that is welcoming and inclusive for all. I just want to say to the queer community that we see you and we support you.
What do you think about the burgeoning non-alcoholic segment of craft beer?
I think that’s amazing! That’s how I got into Athletic Brewing, actually. I’ve always enjoyed craft beer, but that lifestyle can at times get in the way of progress and training when you are an athlete. Drinking socially is fun, but when I do drink and then go to the gym the next day, I feel terrible. Sometimes I still feel bad three or four days afterward. It was frustrating and it wasn’t worth it. Athletic helps me get the maximum out of my training. We take their beer bouldering. It is like an extra carb intake on a hike, and we also know that we won’t be compromising our safety when climbing. I still like the social aspects of drinking, but we’ve gotten a lot of friends hooked. I love when I get a wow reaction from someone who tries it.
What are some of your favorite traditional craft breweries?
I have to say Lagunitas. It’s in Petaluma, near where my partner, Bree, grew up, and she took me there a bunch when we first started dating. Also, Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa, Ninkasi Brewing up in Oregon and Ballast Point Brewing in San Diego!