In the centuries since then, beer--something that was once open, accessible, and empowering to women--has turned into the macho, exclusionary drink that it is today. The problem isn't exclusive to the Anglophone world either. Countries historically renowned for their beers, where one would assume that women are more likely to drink it, show similar numbers to the US and the UK. One Belgian study found that only 33 percent of women consider themselves beer lovers, while 49 percent never drink it at all, although 62 percent of respondents encouragingly believed that beer was equally suitable for men and women. Meanwhile, women in Germany drink 83 percent less beer on average than German men. The same issues can be found outside of Europe as well. In Brazil, the world's second largest beer consumer by volume, men drink 5 times as much beer as women. And in China, the world's largest beer consumer, women's beer consumption is dismal- women have a 4 percent likelihood of drinking beer, compared to 16 percent for men, and those who do drink consume 45 percent less than men.As either a factor or a consequence of this extreme disparity, beer has become largely associated with traditionally masculine activities-watching sports, doing handiwork around the house, and kegstands at frat parties. Meanwhile, women are relegated to downing wine and occasionally popping Xanax à la Desperate Housewives. When they are portrayed in film or television as consumers of beer, it's almost always as "one of the guys," engaging in burping contests and swapping dick jokes, or as the stereotypical and oversexualized buxom bartender, with little representation in between. Without exposure to other depictions of women who drink beer, women aren't encouraged or motivated to partake, and beer's manly image is allowed to pervade.Women brewers, then referred to as brewsters, not only had the ability to produce their own beers out of their homes, but operate local alehouses as well; a trade which thrived until the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague.
Instead, large beer companies have attempted to appeal to women in patronizing ways, assuming that any sort of drink for us needs to be fundamentally feminine. In a stark contrast to women's stereotypical appreciation of wine, a much stronger drink than the average 5 percent lager, these companies seem to believe that women can't handle their product, creating drinks that are sweeter, pink, or lighter in alcohol content, often a combination of the above. More often than not, these drinks-- such as Animée, an attempt at courting women drinkers in the UK by Molson Coors, or a light, fruity Hello Kitty branded beer aimed at Chinese markets--fail, proving that most women aren't looking to consume these "girly" drinks.So what are women drinking then? More and more, women are delving into to craft beer to turn the stereotype of typical beer drinkers inside out. In the US, women account for 30 percent of craft beer consumption, a significant increase over their general beer consumption. And why? In craft beer, women are finding increased options, availability for participation, and a community that empowers and supports them, rather than objectifying them.In a stark contrast to women's stereotypical appreciation of wine, a much stronger drink than the average 5 percent lager, these companies seem to believe that women can't handle their product, creating drinks that are sweeter, pink, or lighter in alcohol content.
The industry has come a long way since 1995, when Denise Ratfield started working at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, where she was the only woman on the production floor. Back then, she explains, the level of women's knowledge and involvement was much less than there is today, on both the consumer and professional side. However, much has changed since then. "The craft beer community has seen meteoric growth, and the transformation in the last 20 years regarding the involvement of women has been tremendous. There are many more women brewing and working all aspects of the business of beer then there were." And Ratfield doesn't see the current growth stopping anytime soon,"We are continuing to evolve when it comes to participating in our craft beer communities--more networking, education, and collaboration".In the US, women account for 30 percent of craft beer consumption, a significant increase over their general beer consumption.