Comments on: What do men think of female beer drinkers?

By: Will

Will — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:41:45 +0000

On a recent night out we ventured into the ‘further north’ bar in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. It wasn’t until we had sat down with a drink that we noticed that split of females to males was 90/10. My wife commented that it was nice to see a bar full of women (how could I possibly argue!). A quick look around the tables highlighted most women were drinking beer with very few drinking wine. The bar is an ‘little sister’ bar to the north bar in Leeds city centre (voted the best bar in Britain last year), so what was the appeal and why were so many women happy to be sat in a busy bar drinking beer? Never one to try and second guess what women are thinking these are my thoughts on the situation…1) range of beer. I would describe it as ‘exclusive’, all imported mainly from Belgium and Germany. 2) staff. the bartender knew all of the beers – what they tasted like, where they were from and was able to recommend a beer from the answer to the question “what do usually drink?” 3) ambience – the further north bar is dimly lit without feeling threatening and music is kept to the background, both of which are conducive to building conversations. The one big observation I made from the visit was that the bar is really not set up to be ‘female friendly’ in the traditional sense. Most beers are unpronouncable at best and draught beers are served in German style ‘flute’ glasses (think Erdinger glasses). The prices were premium to reflect both the outlet and range, we didn’t get much change out of a tenner for a pint of Kolsch and half Frulli but that certainly wasn’t putting off repeat purchases. There seems to be a focus on ‘female friendly’ beer drinking experiences of lighter tasting beer and smaller glasses, this I’m sure is what many women will demand before they will be willinging migrate to the beer category, however, it is clear from my experience in the further north bar that many women put a strong emphasis on the quality of the product and knowledge of the serving staff over the colour of the liquid and the glassware. This retailer clearly understands the requirements of the female consumer and is reaping the financial benefits for doing so.

By: This Gendered Pleasure « Impy Malting

This Gendered Pleasure « Impy Malting — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:37:00 +0000

[...] The Bittersweet Partnership, a branding “feeler” from the Coors corporation, has asked the internets what men think of women who drink beer. I have written about the Bittersweet Partnership before. I think it’s missing the point, [...]

By: Nicola Walker

Nicola Walker — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:53:02 +0000

I agree totally with the stella glass comment, my fiance loves the new look goblet glass and he is a typical mans mans, and yet the glass is so much more appealing to a women. Most of my piers drink beer and nobody will bat an eye, most of their other halves find it must easier when it comes to ordering at the bar no complicated wine choice just a good quality larger which they can both enjoy !
Also i agree Women care what Women think and that’s the biggest hurdle getting all females to accept Women DO drink beer.

By: Tony Jones

Tony Jones — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:24:38 +0000

I’ve noticed the new Stella branded glasses are goblet shaped. Men don’t appear to have a problem drinking from them and I think they would be more appealing for women to drink pints from. I guess they are more expensive than standard pint glasses, but they are certainly eye catching.

Have we any plans to introduce similar glass ware for Carling? – Oh and I have no problem with women drinking pints!

By: Paul McHardy

Paul McHardy — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:56:38 +0000

I rarely see any women drinking beer, and it’s a shame. I think the reasons for this are complex. The presentation of the product is a key area. The image of beer as a man’s drink is well-established in Britain, and if there’s anything that a woman doesn’t want to look like in a (public) social situation, it’s a man. Doesn’t help the sophisticated image and pulling power much… Put the same product in a smart, well-designed bottle or branded glass that oozes exclusivity, however, and you’re making a start to change expectations and social norms. It’s precisely where wine has scored so heavily over beer in the last couple of decades.

Whilst ‘volume’ has been cited as a reason why women don’t drink beer in the past, I rather suspect it’s a cop-out. Many of the girls I know will happily drink bucketloads of spirits with any amount of fizzy mixers all night, but mention beer and it’s ‘too gassy’. Hmmm.

I don’t think men are upset by women drinking beer in the slightest – I think it’s women THINKING that men or other women won’t like it, that stops them doing it.

Beer is a great product. It’s healthier (and frankly classier) than the multi-coloured spirit-based nasties in vogue currently. It’s less boring than wine. Come on girls – free your minds, defy the crowd – drink beer!

By: Marco Hacker

Marco Hacker — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:16:41 +0000

I would give a woman extra credit if she would drink beer on the first date. Tells me she knows who she is and what she likes and does not care what other people think about that.

In general, women who drink beer? Why not? Why is this an issue at all? In Scandinavia and Germany there are plenty of beer drinking women and no serious men would spend a second on thinking what that says about the women.

By: Cathy Topliss

Cathy Topliss — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:09:24 +0000

I love to drink beer but still get the odd look if I order a pint. We recently went to a neighbours house for drinks and nibbles and instead of taking the customery bottle of wine we took Kasteel Cru Rose which everyone really enjoyed. Sad thing was they hadn’t heard of it!

By: Helen Spearman

Helen Spearman — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:08:53 +0000

My partner thinks its completly normal that I drink beer and lager with him