Someone needs to tell John Holl it’s not the 1950s anymore. All the women I know call their own shots, order their own drinks and don’t need some man to explain sexism.
Recently the hophead editor of All About Beer penned the magazine’s March editorial, entitled “taking a stand against sexist beers.” From now on, the trade publication won’t review any beers “that demean women or promote rape culture.”
But while his heart’s in the right place, his moral prohibition is inconsistent with an industry catering to adults old enough to make their own decisions. What’s worse, he’s being terribly sexist.
Maybe Holl is right when he notes some of the microbrews with various and dubious labels like Panty Peeler. But buzzed off his own self-righteousness, he has misidentified misogyny. As Jillian Melchior points out over at Heat Street, that Belgian-style beer with the bawdy name was originally brewed by Barb Miller co-founder of the Midnight Sun Brewing Company.
Either she’s promoting rape culture or he’s being a prude, and that’s the problem.
Readers born on or before today’s date in 1996 can make better decisions about what six-pack to purchase. Just like teetotaling Southern Baptists don’t belong at the bar, East Coast liberals don’t belong on virtue signaling vice squads. Nobody does, including the well-intentioned editorial board at All About Beer.
Consumers guided by market forces are better equipped to make the best decisions about what is and isn’t acceptable for their fridge. As it turns out, women make up a third of the microbrew market. If a significant number of them don’t like the bottle art on Tramp Stamp Pale Ale or Double D IPA, they’ll ditch the brand or dump their boyfriends who buy them. Either way, the fairer sex can make up their mind without any mansplaining.
After all, there are better ways for Holl’s magazine to deal with beers with sexist names that are beyond the pale. Critics could skunk them. Instead of sampling for microaggressions, they could focus on aroma. Rather than tasting for sexist tones, they could test hop balance. In short, they should try focusing on the product instead of the packaging.
That’s because beverages that sport pinups or dirty puns are more than likely poor products. Everyone knows why some beers rely on misogyny. It’s because those brewers are hoping sexism will mask a poor quality drink. Pouring those beers down the drain, while mercilessly mocking their labels, seems like perfect journalism for Holl’s publication.
Until then, Holl and his staff should just calm down, have a beer and let women order their own drinks.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
