Why don't women like beer? OR why don't men THINK women like beer?

[The Beer Babe]

Curious as to what you've heard or what you think about why women aren't beer drinkers, don't think they can be, or don't want to be. I know lots of women who love good beer (and you're among them) so speak up! What can get more women to try beer? What would you tell a woman you know about beer to get them to try some?

Just looking for thoughts, fellow beer-gals. Thanks!

[Virginia Jamison]

Women are beer drinkers.
They just need to find the one they enjoy most. Not all beer is for all women. Thankfully there is a beer for everyone. There are several factors involved in why women find beer consumption difficult:
1) The volume: 12 oz of a carbonated beverage is alot of bubbles. I don't even know women who drink that much champagne let alone beer. I would love to see the day when people understand that they don't have to serve 12 oz. of a beer.
2) Beer has caloric value: it is very easy to become full on beer because it is a food.
3) The hops: women are very sensitive to bitterness. Highly hopped beer is a taste to be acquired. Not all will. Low hopped beers such as belgian styles are a great introduction for women who don't care for hops.
4) Some don't care for the carbonation in the beer because it over stimulates the trigeminal nerve. The effect of the CO2 is percieved as uncomfortable. I have had some women tell me that drinking any carbonated beverage is painful. In that case a cask conditioned ale may be a good introduction..

[The Beer Babe]

Thank you for the great reply. Those are a few things I hadn't deeply considered, except the bitterness part. IPAs are a hard sell to my female friends but they tend to like belgians/wheats/wits because the're sweeter and have less noticeable carbonation.

[Christina Perozzi - The Beer Chick]

I always say that there's a beer out there for everyone, some just haven't found it yet! I agree with Virginia! Women have a more highly sensitized sense of smell and taste than men, (sorry guys) and thus have a more sensitive palate than men. So when you get those HUGELY hopped beers, I've found that those are the beers that are the most difficult for women to drink.

The main reason I think women who don't drink beer don't is because they have a Fear of Beer. The industry has been so highly masculinized with the cheerleading twins and the "Bud Girls" of the world and monster guitar chords and sparks - that it makes sense that any half-way intelligent woman would run screaming from those images. Lot's of women don't have an interest in being perceived as manly. Until just recently, thank you Sam Adams, I hadn't seen a commercial that advertised beer for the taste instead of either the reward of the male sexual fantasy or a stupid boy joke. Don't get me wrong....those jokes were funny and there's nothing wrong with the male sexual fantasy.... but they make beer drinking less appealing to women then men!

Also, the fact that historically, before the craft beer revolution and the rise of artisanal beers, the beers that these women have been exposed might not have been the best! And with such a sensitive palate, we women were saying..."Ewww....not for me." The fact that trying a different mass produced brand resulted in the same icky taste, some women wrote off all beer forever. Although, I must say that once introduced to the wide world of beers, that they can taste like hazelnut and cherry, chamomile and cedar, women revel in beer and in the surprise at how wonderful it can be!

Beer is Good!

[Helen Pitlick]

Great points! Most people, men and women alike, start by drinking the crap stuff. Men force it down out of machismo, while women quickly switch to wine or cocktails without realizing what great beer is available; many women I know just think that all beer tastes like PBR and never try the more exquisite varieties, while the men slowly convert to the good stuff. It's a shame- I'm almost afraid to review a fruit or a wheat beer for fear of not being taken seriously as a beer critic.

[Elizabeth W.]

My introduction to loving the taste of beer was through Guinness.
I took a sip, made a face, and my friend Lisa said "Use your coffee taste buds!" (I drink abrasively strong dark roast coffee and love it!)
Suddenly, it all made sense. I love porters and stouts with a roasted malt, coffee-like taste, although I've broadened my horizons to include smooth ales, wheat beers, lambics, and almost anything except super-hoppy beers.

[tiffanya]

By and far, the majority of women come into our beer store proclaim, "I am not a beer drinker." They are often looking for beers for their husbands, boyfriends, dads, etc. Sometimes they are open-minded and after chatting for a while leave with not only bottles for their guy, but also a bottle for themselves.

The easiest beers to get women started on are the "nontraditional beer flavors" of berries, chocolate, coffee, vegetables and spices such as: Lindeman's & Cherish lambics; Southern Tier Choklat, Pumking, Mokah, & Javah; Hitachino Nest Ginger, Espresso, & Red Rice; Left Hand Milk Stout; Corsendonk Apple White, Unibroue Ephemere, etc.

My favorite thing is to see the expressions of folks as they sample beer at our tasting events. Many times the woman expects not to like something and is pleasantly surprised.

Never be afraid to introduce women to unique beers. Good beer is meant to be shared.