Lipstick on the Rim

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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.

My first experience with beer was at the tender and innocent age of sixteen. I had an Uncle visiting from Holland and he was appalled that I had not sampled his merriment. So, forced into a sip, I tried. And the typical reaction of course was to spit it out. I won’t mention the label because that would be unfair, even though I still haven’t developed affinity for the brand. This name shall remain a mystery. So this first taste should not really be called an experience as it’s really something I tried to forget. It wasn’t until my middle thirties, sitting in a bar, trying my first Sierra Nevada IPA and “wow” what a difference. I had fruity hops dancing in bubbles across my tongue then to punch me with bitter. And then I gulped for another explosion. I think that may have been my first experience with love. (OK, OK I may be pushing it with that one. But you get the idea.) I don’t know if my taste buds were ready for the experience. But I have to say it was the first time I enjoyed beer and the experience showed me something new. And I opened myself into looking at beer.

As a wine drinker I scoffed at the idea of beer appreciation and here I was reflecting back to myself my own idiosyncratic perception. I think this is an interesting time for women to explore beer. I think the environment (historically being male driven) is more willing to have women sit and take part in the conversation. And I’m glad because this is the opportunity within Indiana for us to go and explore, talk and engage in ideas over beer.

So let’s start by sharing with Lipstick on the Rim your first taste and when did you actually experience beer for the first time?

Lunch with out Sponsor

I have every good intention with this blog but life and the other blogs sometime take up all of my time.  Unfortunately this little blog gets left behind in pursuit of my life.  As a way of reconnecting to my passion of teaching women and others about beer and my love for the varied and lovely taste of beer I decided to attend The Beer Bloggers Conference.

I had to choose between the National Speakers Association Conference or the Beer Bloggers Conference, I am happy that I chose Beer Bloggers, I could not have made a better decision.  I am learning, reconnecting and remembering why I decided to do this blog in the first place!  I enjoy beer, I enjoy introducing others who want to enjoy beer at a different level.  Not just the pub crawls and sucking a beer from the brown bottles, but the woman who wants to be educated about what is a good beer. How do you serve it, where do you get it, what food goes with it and how brewers can connect more effectively to the women who are in their market.

Networking and connecting with others who have the same interest that I do is another passion.  I teach people and business all over the world the importance of networking and connecting. This has been my opportunity to do just that!

If you are a blogger, a beer lover, or someone who just likes to connect then you want to find conferences on your topic and connect with that community.  Regardless of what you love there is a community out there for you to connect to!

Thanks to Beer Bloggers Conference for putting on a great conference and educating me so that I will be a better blogger, lover of beer, and educator!

Beer, it is one of the worlds oldest beverages, found in Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs, it has been long enjoyed by many but only truly appreciated by a few. Unlike wine that has a massive following of connoisseurs, beer has been looked down upon by the elite.

Women have never been big drinkers of beer, it was never considered very proper for a woman to be hoisting a big mug of beer. More proper was the glass of wine or sherry, while the men sucked down the suds.

Beer has never gotten the same level of respect that wine or a fine brandy has received. No one would ever consider picking up a bottle of wine or a nice brandy and just chugging it from the bottle. Yet day after day, good beers are chugged from a bottle and not appreciated for the rich nose or beautiful color. Not allowed to breath, or form and nice creamy head, beer is never fully appreciated.

Craft beer artisans around the world are ready for us to take beer to a new level of respect and appreciation. The next time you pick up a nice small batch brewed craft beer, like a Stone Cali-Belgique, grab the right stem wear, pour it in the glass, admire the head and the scent of the hops and hold that glass up to the light and admire the color of your beer. Then take your first sip and enjoy it the way a wine enthusiast enjoys that first sip of a very fine wine.

Taking beer to a whole new level of appreciation ladies in our mission.

I was on a flight to California today and I picked up the airline magazine to flip through, when I saw a sketch of a pint of beer being held by a hand. The title of the article was, London, Beer Necessity. Of course it peaked my interest since I just returned from a trip where I spent a good deal of time in some local pubs.

It turns our that many of London’s traditional pubs are closing because more people are buying cheap beer at the supermaket and the high cost of the real estate in London. Fewer people coming into the pub means beer is not sold and rents can’t be met, so the pubs close.

I was really sad to read that more almost 30 pubs per week are closing. How can this be my heart cried out, one of the things that I love the most about England and Ireland are the wonderful, friendly, and historical pubs that they have.  Where history lives, where the traditional ales are served, from traditional hand cranks, and people hang out because they all know one another. Unlike the American bars, the pub is like an extension of one’s community, they have been there generation after generation, they are part of the neighborhood.

There was good news in the article, an organization has formed to preserve the English Pub called Campaign for Real Ale. This organization is dedicated to preserving the 60,000 pubs left by steering those looking to tip a good ale to the best pubs. These pubs are judged by the association’s rank and file members. They are also advocates for the “real ale”, beer aged in wooden casks and poured slightly cooled by a hand crank and not a tap.

So let’s give a round of applause to CAMRA, and the work they are doing to save the English Pubs. It would be very sad to see such wonderful places disappear! When I finished the article, I was much happier knowing there is an organization that is making the difference.