Lipstick on the Rim

Posts Tagged ‘beer education’

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.

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.

There is a great learning curve when it comes to beer and beer tasting.  Having grown up always thinking that all beer was the same, I have been on a very interesting path of learning.  My friend Brandon has been a great teacher, he has been very patient when it comes to answering my questions, tasting with me, challenging my views and giving me resources.

As with most things I want to be an expert now and that just does not work with beer the same way it does not work with anything else in life.  So I have set about to just drink beer, learn to taste it, really taste it, the subtle differences in hops, and malts.  To look at the color and smell the florals of the hops.  In the past, I just drank the beer out of the bottle, but I have spent time learning which glass and why.  I am enjoying the learning, and hope that I can help other women enjoy the same.

I will start posting some of the beers I have been drinking and who I think they taste.  What I like about them and what you might.  As well I have had a few that I did not like.  I will learn from my mistakes and I am sure I will be challenged by many, especially my friend and mentor, Brandon.