Stubbornness? No sense of adventure? Laziness? What is it about some people that they just seem to have an aversion to change?
In light of a recent interview with Keira Knightly admitting that she doesn't like beer and that it "tastes like piss water and it makes you belch," (I'm guessing Keira's never had a belgian ale) I'd like to talk about this phenomenon of the beer aversion.
There are some people [aka women] who for some reason or another absolutely refuse to touch beer with a 10-foot tongue. They'll suck on glasses of the worst rubbing-alcohol-with-red-dye that someone mislabeled as wine for an entire evening before they'll let their up-turned noses get anywhere near a glass of ale.
Perhaps they had a bad experience in college-- their first sips of natty bo quickly followed by one of the following pleasant experiences:
1. vomiting
2. ruined heels/nails/pantyhose/reputations
3. a brutal walk of shame
Or they just didn't like the taste. Fine. Understandable. I generally swear off a thing that gives me nothing but displeasure (certain boys aside of course). However, unlike these devoted anti-beerists, after my first unpleasant experiences I continued to try different varieties of beer and wine until I found brews/bottles that were palatable, nay, fantastically enjoyable.
My theory is that there is a specific personality trait that will make someone stick to "what they know" and what they are comfortable with regardless of how bad it is or how great something new might be. And this particular trait is in no way limited to the female of the species. In fact, I think men invented that outlook on life.
There is some value in sticking with what is comfortable. Like a relationships that isn't perfect or sub-optimal that person becomes family providing emotional support and a sense of stability. Food and beverages can be like that as well--you may know it as 'comfort food'. Mom's lumpy mashed potatoes may not be perfect, but you enjoy them and don't need to agonize over choosing and evaluating them. Comfort is fine...once in a while.
But some people retreat into comfort to the exclusion of new experiences that might bring different and even greater joy than old favorites.
Sigh* if only this type of logic could be applied to human relationships.
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I think it's about the image. Say "beer" and you imagine guys sitting on a couch watching the game. Say "wine" and you picture handsome couples sipping pre-theater drinks. Say "jaeger" and it's all about landing in the gutter after challenging the over-sized bouncer. What we need to do is change the image. Not for jaeger, mind you. Love the blog!!!
ReplyDeleteI read an interview in the Southern Brew News last year with Spike Buckowski from Terrapin, and he made what I felt was a great observation, and I think goes exactly in-line with what you are saying:
ReplyDelete"Craft beer drinkers really like to try a wide range of beers. Bud or Miller drinkers usually just drink one type of beer until they die, but craft beer lovers are more open-minded when it comes to beer."
It's more about that personality trait than anything. Craft beer drinkers are to be willing to risk wasting $4 on a pint that is terrible in order to find something interesting or even a possible new favorite.
Some (I'd say most) people are so averse to risk that they won't even chance that $4. In my opinion, it's a sad way to go through life.
I just did a post about this and how to get women to open up to the idea of beer. Most women don't like the taste of Miller or Bud so they quit drinking beer and move on to wine. Sharing a flight gives you to best of all worlds!
ReplyDeleteI think the "gendering" of food and drink is weird. Beer is considered manly, and associated with football and beer guts. Women are more prone to drink wine or pink cocktails. Which is fine, but I know I've been intimidated by guys "talking beer" when I did not know anything about beer besides BMC. That's why I started to learn about beer and try craft beers - to educate myself and see what else is out there. And lo and behold - it's been a great hobby!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I don't think this is just attributable to women, but perhaps moreso than men. I think people just don't know what to try. Go into any decent shop and there are hundreds of selections! Before I decided to really start trying new beers, it was Guinness, Bass and Rolling Rock for me. I just didn't know what to try.
ReplyDeleteStarting The Brew Club where I work was one of the best thing I've ever done! I've probably had more new beers in the past year than many people have in a lifetime. I'm also more comfortable suggesting new beers to people who aren't as 'exposed'.
I have a better idea of what I like, what I don't like, and an open mind to try anything I havent had before. Its a personal decision as yo say, and people do tend to stick with what they know.
Good post!
im a woman and i like beer. i have had my share of bad times when it comes to drinking. some beer doesnt taste that good. but what the hell. its beer. i sometimes like the feeling of getting drunk. i guess it really depends on how the person is willing to endure to feel something better.
ReplyDelete