Beer Betty’s
To steal a title from Big Sky’s beer education page, beer betty’s are the topic of today’s post.
Why? Well, women usually have a unique take on any given subject. I should know, my wife always has a different take on whatever subject we’re discussing.
We had some good friends in town this week. They are beer lovers like me, and we got down to the subject of how my wife learned to stop worrying and love beer. This having happened since we moved to Montana of course.
For my part, I learned that not all women simply think beer = carbs = fat thighs. In fact, my friend’s wife, we’ll call her Annette, likes motor-oil stouts as much as she likes a summertime Kolsch. Oh, she also likes sour beers of all things, so I had to put a lock on my beer cellar.
Turns out my wife’s palate is more sensitive than mine, something I’ve heard that is actually true of many women when compared to guys.
So, I’ve learned to trust my wife’s palate when it comes to tasting peculiarities and commonalities in our beer selection.
One of the things I love to do when it comes to finding out what women think about any one beer is to visit A Beer Sort of Blog, and Beer for Chicks. For one thing, A Beer Sort of Girl, being in the advertising industry, has some interesting insights into beer marketing. That and she’s really fun to read. And Christina Perozzi, the blogger behind Beer for Chicks, well, she’s just awesome. Her quest to educate the world about beer as a sommelier and beer writer is not only admirable, it’s working.
I guess the reason I’m writing this is because we, as guys, don’t include women in the beer conversation very often. And this is pretty bad because beer shouldn’t be sexist just as wine shouldn’t be snobby.
Take your girlfriend, wife, sister, mom, daughter (provided she’s 21) out for a beer or pour one with dinner and see just how much they have to contribute to the beer conversation. I guarantee it’s a lot more than you think.
Women are being marketed to more and more as the principle beer buyers in many households. This being the case, advertising is going to change, and brewers may start brewing more styles that accord to marketing research about womens’ tastes in beer.
I’m tired of sitting at a brewpub only to hear a woman ask the guy, “What kind of beer do you think I will like?” Every time that happens, he scans the list for the lightest thing available. Barring that, he inevitably orders her a hard lemonade or some such alcapop.
Given the same exposure and respect for her individual ability to taste beer, she should be able to enjoy a wider range of beers than he ever will. It’s no secret that women often branch out, while men tend to find a particular style and stick to it.
Prost,
GG
[...] Beer Betty’s – To steal a title from Big Sky’s beer education page, beer betty’s are the topic of today’s post. Why? Well, women usually have a unique take on any given subject. I should know, my wife always has a different take on whatever subject … [...]
I’m glad you’re willing to take the heat for a man’s take on women’s feelings about beer…
Good Luck (and “kudos!” upon your better 1/2′s willingness to judge all things upon their merit) smoozing this one over.
Tell us where to send the flowers.
(my Mum was drinking schwarzbier in Missoula, when i was still s**ttin’ yellow, 40 odd yrs ago) (and, she still likes an occasional whiff with her pizza pie)
Bullshipper,
I’ve appreciated your comments for the most part. But you’re not part of the conversation, you’re like trying to have a conversation with somebody with a bullhorn. Not quite sure why you’re so overly critical about all things beer. Snarky, angry comments might fit better on a political blog than a beer blog.
Was just kiddin’ ya about your presumptions on this subject. I can’t do anything about your over-sensitivity or lack of humour. Enjoy your cozy little blog where all is candy-floss and lollipops.
Good Bye & Peace
See what I mean?
No, not really.
The fact your feelers got hurt by my (deser-ved) critique of your bosses’ (or, are you the boss?) innocuous & boring product got us off on the wrong foot; only goes to highlight your/their insecurity and elitist attitude about beer. I figgered this was a kiss-up and look-at-me-i’ve-got-a-brewery shrine type altar of a blog when i first looked at it; and, you’ve proven me right, once again.
The sexist and matronizing/patronizing/insulting to women comments on this particular thread, only galvanizes my thoughts.
You had to know I’d stick around long enough to see your whining, sniveling, and whimpering retort to an honest person’s observations.
It’s pretty simple Bullshipper. I like beer. Other people like beer. We talk about it here. I’m learning about beer. Other people are learning about beer. We discuss it here. I’m not sure about how a specific brewery or brand of beer happened to wound you so deeply, but you should probably get over it. It’s just beer. Some are great, some are good, some are getting there. It’s not my place to criticize. I don’t profess to know enough to do that and neither do some of the best beer writers out there. They simply state what they taste and observe and carry on the conversation, which for most of us actually is promoting craft brewing.
Many readers have been asking me to pull your annoying comments for some time. I should probably listen to them.
All 10 of them? (oops, 9 now)
Good Bye, and Good Luck.
Brew beer for the love of it, not the grandeur…
Hi! Thanks for the shout out! It never fails that when the subject of women and beer come up, there’s some controversy! I think you were dead on! Especially the part about me being awesome. Just kidding! My mother taught me that if you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all. I don’t know if that makes me the best “critic” of all time, but if you don’t see a beer mentioned on my blog…there’s probably a good reason. Keep up the good work and don’t let the haters get you down!
Cheers!
The Beer Chick!
Also, am just launching (tomorrow officially) beerforchicks.com, which combines my blog with a place that beer betty’s can meet and share information. Maybe your wife and that motor oil drinkin “Annette” would want to join! All are welcome!
c
Ah, Christina, you are my hero. Thanks for validating, though you didn’t need to. Beer chicks are all that and more. Thanks for pushing micro brew, and thanks for educating all of us on the world of craft brew. You are a true pioneer.
Cheers,
Tim
I’d have hoped you would have posted this “validation” on the main page. I wouldn’t have considered it necessary to ever post here, again, had it not been for the manner in which you have addressed this.
I really am sorry if my demeanor seemed brusque or abrasive during my short-lived tenure on this blog.
It’s only fact I grew up in the area, and care deeply about our fine State’s standing in the beer world, that I even chose to comment.
My choice of metaphor could have been more carefully worded inregards to my lovely mom’s life-long knowledge of beer.
That being, she doesn’t drink much, but, she knows what she likes. I just thought the nature of the thread seemed a bit skewed and dismissive towards any woman’s predisposition regarding beer.
Life moves on; so will we.
Peace