Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category
Introducing a Saison
This is one of my favorite styles of beer. Saison is French for “season”. Typically brewed for the fall season, however I’ve enjoyed this well into winter probably because of it’s added characteristics. It’s not just simple and clean like a Hefeweizen. There is variation within this style that keeps it interesting. There is a citrusy fruitiness in the nose, it may have a moderate hop aroma and some spices. Typically bottles conditioned. That means just pour gently as to not incorporate air into the bottle and stir up the yeast at the bottom. I particularly enjoy the high carbonation because the flavor profile and the added bubbles. Makes me feel like I’m drinking champagne. That’s what I love the most. A beautiful beer that I can enjoy like champagne. Can it get any better?
It pairs well with a variety of foods from bar-be-cue (yes) to hot peppery dishes. It is great on the deck with cheeses, grapes, and conversation. Enjoy!
Can be found at our friends at Monon Food Company in Broad Ripple.
Yes, Virginia there is a Secret Code on your Beer
Q. I had a big party over the summer, and we have a lot of beer leftover. We are keeping it in the fridge in the garage. How long can we keep the beer and still be able
to drink it?
A. This is a common question for women who are new to the beer drinking and purchasing community. Beer is perishable just like many other food items but brewers are not required to put use by dates on the bottle. As a mother and a wife, I don’t like to keep things for very long in my fridge or my cupboard for fear of my family becoming ill from something they might eat. We pay close attention to the labels on the food products that we by, especially the Use By Date. For many women not being able to find that date on a beer is a little unnerving.
Anheuser-Bush does put a “born on” date on their bottled beer, but that date still may not help you if you do not know how long from that date the beer is good. I remember the first time I had the opportunity to see the born on date, my first thought was, “Great, and when is the “Dead by Date”. I have learned that beer is good 4-9 months on the shelf.
Many brewers put a code on their bottles that represent their expiration dates, it’s just in secret code. You can learn more reading this blog, The Secret Code of Beer Expiration Dates.
It is not easy, and many avid beer drinkers will tell you it never sits around long enough to get stale. That may not be the case with you, in fact people give me beer as a gift quite often, and sometimes it sits for longer than I would care for it too. Brewers could do a lot to make it easier for us by putting a simple – “best if used by” date on their labels.
You won’t get sick from drinking an out dated beer, but you may not enjoy the beer as much. It begins to have a dull taste or off flavor, so if it is a beer you like and it taste off, flat, papery or metallic then indeed it may be time to toss it out!
Education is Key to More Female Beer Drinkers
In the world of beer I am the new girl. I have learned a lot about beer in the last few years, but I am still the new girl compared to the many experts out there. Prior to learning about beer, understanding the many different taste, the quality, the types, the complexity and all the varieties available, I did not like beer.
Well, let me rephrase, I did not think that I liked beer, the only beer I had ever tasted was the mass produced, big name beers like Budwiser, Miller, Coors, and so on. Beers that are low on flavor, but high on marketing dollars. Based on my experience, I did not like the taste of beer. It seemed like a waste of time to drink beer when I could have a nice neat vodka.
One day a young man named Brandon came along and challenged my perception. He would get great craft brews, and he and I would drink them together, he taught me to feel the beer in my mouth, to allow the flavors to open up, and to start identifying all the different flavors there were in the beer. He challenged me to go out and discover more beers, and tell him about them. He was an excellent mentor.
Today I love discovering beer, learning about beer and drinking beer. No one had to market a beer to me, it would not have worked. No one had to create a beer just for women like the new Chick beer, that frankly insults me. Someone had to take the time to teach and challenge me to enjoy beer.
For all of you breweries out there, don’t try to hype your beer to us, don’t create some stupid “Chick” beer, instead, take the time to engage us in conversation, teach us, and build a relationship with us. Women will come, they will drink beer, but you have to offer us the opportunity to do so in an educated fashion. I want to be able to go to a bar, look at the list of beers, and know that I love an IPA and not feel intimidated or stupid for ordering something. I want to be able to ask informed questions about a beer and understand the answer and I want to drink my beer from the right glass when I am having dinner.
If you want us, earn our respect, and we will be there to drink your fine Ales, your dark creamy Porters and your pallet challenging IPAs.