Okay – my apologies. I’d posted this – I thought – and yet the ghost in the machine somehow got a hold of it…

Marty letting 'er rip!

SO – with no further adieu, here’s the ‘Nod’, as it were. Many thanks to the talented, fun and sharp Marty Jones for the intro song per a workshop at Wynkoop Brewing Company on marketing beer to women.

I am woman hear me road in numbers too big to ignore / When I’m shopping for fine beer in your store / But your marketing and ads are aimed at dudes and dads / Ignoring customers without gonads

Oh yes I’m a wife and I’ve drank beer all my life / Yes I’ll pay the price if you offer beer that’s nice  / If I want to, I can buy anything / I’m employed, I have a Mastercard / I am woman!

I am woman see me drink In numbers larger than you think / And I know too much to go back an’ pretend / Please don’t suggest Cabernet when the one drink I crave / Is a Rail Yard Ale and glass of B3K

Oh yes, I have breasts but I don’t want the wine list / Two X chromosomes and I buy the beer for home / So please tell me about your beer stash / I want hops I want some flavor / I have taste and an MBA / I have expendable income I am WOOOOOOOO MAN!!!!

Cheers today to those who are diplomatic, practice diplomacy and exercise class and tact in the beer community.

Cheers to beer diplomacy

I want to take the time today to highlight a few that are on our “Beer Diplomats” list. We don’t pick favorites – we simply like to highlight those thoughts, ideas, progressions and people who make for a welcoming beer community environment.

To me and to Women Enjoying Beer, these folks exemplify being open-minded, charitable, progressive, smart, savvy and fun to be with and learn from.

These people are never arrogant, self-righteous, pompous or otherwise the antithesis to what we believe the beer community can, should and (for the most part) is.

1. Lisa Morrison. She’s positive, well versed, smart, open-minded, and classy.
2. Jay Brookston. His sense of the big picture, broad range of interests (like this post), and thoughtfulness speak highly of him.
3. Julia Herz. Energy personified, passion, spunk, and intelligence.
4. Kim Jordan. Mindful, savvy, sharp, and connected to her crew and Mother Earth.
5. Steven Pauwels. World view, classy, dedicated, engaging, and fun to talk with.

This is the first group that immediately jump to mind. There are thankfully hundreds of remarkable people in the beer community – from the most beginning consumer to the most experienced professional.

Pints up to all -

Are you stagnating in your idea swirl? Do you want a boost of creativity in getting women excited about your beer? Here are a few to get the juices flowing today – use them as you wish.

1. Surprise her with a birthday party. Every time you hear of a patron with a pending birthday, be at the ready to help celebrate her. Have some hats on hand and a small birthday gift to give out.
2. Even if it’s not her birthday, throw her an unbirthday party – the White Rabbit was onto something.
3. Keep some kazoos or a drum or whatever kind of basic instruments available to play to rev things up. Sing a few silly songs that everyone knows – be they camp songs, beer songs or simple ditties we all know. Crowd singing gets everyone smiling.
4. Randomly give female patrons a free beer.
5. Randomly give out a free goodie she will like and use (FYI – if you have shirts to give, make SURE you carry them in women’s fit & sizes – they’re not men and you don’t give men women’s shirts)
6. Surprise her with a gratis plate of snacks to complement the beer she’s enjoying.
7. Take her picture and post it (with her permission of course) on your site as the chosen Patron of the Day; great blog/twitter/facebook fodder. People like to see themselves in publications.
8. Give her the best seat in the house with a sign saying as much.

Fun, economical and slightly goofy customer recognition moves like these engender fun, encourage repeat business from her, and will give everyone something to talk about. And that means they’ll be talking about your brand.

What associations and organizations are you supporting? What groups claim you as a member?

One of the organizations that we are members of is the Brewers Association. One thing I like about them is that they provide plentiful and easily accessible information. Yesterday I got a mailer with updated ‘good stuff’ so I want to share some of it today.

Not a member yet? It’s worth while if you are a consumer who enjoys beer, a business in the beer community, a brewery, or a distributor. As with any membership, you get out of it what you put into it too.

• US Beer Market = $101 Billion
• 203,576,450 Barrels of Beer
• 1753 breweries in operation for some or all 2012, the highest number since the late 1800′s
• Well over 100,000 jobs surround the beer community in the USA (including the fabulous service staff of pubs)

Other Beer Related Resources We Recommend:

• American Homebrewers Association
• Civilization of Beer
• Beer Goddess
• CraftBeer.com

It occured to me early this morning that I never published the Decree I wrote and then delivered in honor of the Beer for Boobs Brunch 2011 (during GABF & Denver Beer Fest time).

The remarkable, smart, gracious, thoughtful and classy Stevie Caldarola of Ladies of Craft Beer and Freshcraft hosted this beerific benefit brunch. The hosts were great with it, the crowd participated and gave us a round of applause afterward.

Enjoy the decree this New Years day ~

Beer For Boobs Womanifesto, this 30^th day of September 2011

Decree

We, the Women of the United States, in Order to maintain a healthy body, establish self examination, ensure comfortable clothing, provide for the common good health, promote the general Welfare of breasts everywhere, and remain proud of our chests and ourselves and our gender, and establish a more perfect Boobion, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Boob For Brunch America:

Article 1: All boobs deserve proper care and maintenance to ensure healthy adventures in the world at large

Article 2: All boob hosts are to be proud of their boobs and the boobs of others for as long as they are able to do so.

Article 3: I take it as my personal mission to support all boobs everywhere and also support the care and treatment of boobs less fortunate

Article 4: I will not stand by and let anyone malign any boobs for any reason. They are all deserving of respect and good will.

Article 5: I will respect and protect the boobs of myself, my family and my friends as needed and called upon to do.

Article 6: I will support the good health of boobs the world over, as a Goodwill Boob Ambassador, exercising diplomacy and Advocacy.

Ginger & Stevie with the Booby Prize, 2011

So with the above to be true, I hereby bequeath Stevie Caldarola the 2011 Beer For Boobs Booby Prize award for her efforts in extolling the boob virtues we are all here to support. [custom decorated bra]

Everyone raise your right hand and repeat after me:

“I _____,

Do swear to uphold and extol

The rights of healthy boobs everywhere.

I promise to be

Available to those in need

When they call upon me to help.“

Cheers!

Last week was full of great beer and food shared by superb company. Here are two menus accordingly. Use them and share them as you wish.

tis the season for beer & food together

Swig & Stitch inaugural Beer event menu at 38 Central:

• Bayern Brewing Pilsner paired with Pilsner marinated sesame crusted chicken drizzled with Dijon aioli
• Southern Oregon Brewing Porter paired with grilled eggplant stuffed with sausage and porter Balsamic glaze
• Ninkasi Total Domination IPA paired with seafood stuffed mushroom braised in IPA with toasted panko

WEB Annual Hoppy Holidays menu:

• Lindeman’s Gueuze Lamic Cuvee Rene with whole milk Monterey Jack, Blue, Muenster and mozzarella cheeses, fresh Challah and Ciabatta breads
• Sierra Nevada & New Clairvaux Abbey Ovila Dubbel with peppered salame, sopressata, and Cajun sausages
• Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry fruit ale with fresh winter fruit salad (persimmon, pomegranates, oranges, apples, pears, bananas)
• Young’s Double Chocolate Stout with fresh mild chocolate brownie topped with frozen vanilla and chocolate yogurt

We recently participated for the first time ever in the Festival of Trees. Suffice it to say – we’ll do it again!

Generous donors, happy buyer (live auction item), and fun reactions from all walks of the crowds. It’s living permanently now here.

Special thanks to my friend and supporter Eileen for setting it all up with me. Another special thanks to my colleague Kari for helping us get into the event in the first place!

Enjoy these pictures and cheers to a safe, tasty and peaceful holiday ~

A shout out today to the recent donors of goods and for their generous support of WEB. Let me explain.

WEB is in business, like many others are, and we all need to make a living. We rarely ask for donations of any kind from anyone – rather, we talk with people and their businesses, find out where they are at and if there’s a complement between the entities.

Nick Matt and other panelists at a CBC in recent years has really stuck with me. It was to the effect that breweries get asked constantly for donations of beer for this, that and everything else. While some requestors are gracious and understanding, more often than not requestors have no idea what a beer oriented business may be about. They are very focused on getting what they want for their fundraising, auction, and raffles.

Gathering Glass Studio

This isn’t to malign – it’s to enlighten: every organization that has a literal or virtual door is a target for a donation request. Having been with other companies before founding WEB I know well what the front line is like – to get asked and asked and asked.

And I tell you what. When I was growing up I had to raise money to pay for my marching band trips, Girl Scout events and the like. I’ve been on the knuckle side of the door-to-dooring and calling those who knew our family. I’m done asking.

So it’s with particular gratitude that I’m thanking those who have blown us away with the donations they’ve chosen to make to WEB for an upcoming community oriented benefit. We approached them to simply find out IF they donate, what they do (if they do) and how it works. All came back with generous contributions to make this long standing community event fruitful.

Women notice and appreciate those who give back, provide support and make things happen.

Supporting your local causes usually means asking for donations. We’re grateful this holiday season for their unhesitating generosity. Thank you.

1. Gathering Glass Studio - 24 (5 different designs) orange hand blown glass ornaments + one 22 ounce mug
2. Brewery Supply and Rastal – 24 gorgeous stemmed beer goblets
3. Briess Malting – beautiful jars of different roasted malted barleys
4. Summit Beverage Distributors - 3 boxes of fun beer swag including women’s shirts, beer signs and coasters, glassware and other goodies
5. Standing Stone Brewing Company – a beer tasting for 6 and several water bottles (our theme is WEB with an emphasis on the 4 ingredients of beer)
6. Brewers Publications – 2 terrific beer books from their great line up
7. Lallemand yeast – Cascade Wine Services
8. Indie Hops - plentiful samples of whole cone hops and fragrant pellet hops
9. All About Beer magazine - multiple subscriptions to this good monthly beer read
10. Lisa Morrison, The Beer Goddess – for a copy of her mouth watering new beer guide book
11. Fabric of Vision – provided us a nice discount on the few fabric oriented items we purchased to decorate
12. Alpha Beta Hops – beautiful Cascade hop bines

I’d also thank some intrepid helpers: Kari, my events & festival development colleague; Eileen, good friend and huge WEB supporter, and Paige, with Jackson County Master Recycling program to help me clearstream this event.

Rest assured I’ll write a follow up post on the results of the event, with pictures.

Yes, many beers this time of year are oriented for the fall and early winter months. Yes, a lot of them provide a great new flavor for you and your guests to enjoy. And yes, try them!

Also bear in mind that the ‘standards’ are equally excellent this time of year, and here’s why.

People get together for events, festivals and holidays. Since it’s just about full on holiday season in the states, it’s the perfect time to make sure you have as broad a range of beers as our fine country has people. Some people can tend to overdo it during the holidays as well. So if you can help them fully enjoy and suffer no remorse, that’s especially good for all (including the beer!).

Guests should always be first when you’re thinking about what to serve, for beer and food. After all, if you didn’t care about them, you wouldn’t invite them over.

Offering a range of beers to all the guests that will come and go this season will ensure your status on the Nice list.

Holiday Variety

Here’s a selection of beers I’d recommend to keep on hand this holiday season.

• Pilsner and/or Kolsch
• Pale
• ESB
• Hefeweizen
• Belgian
• Lambic
• Brown and/or Red
• IPA
• Porter
• Stout
• Barleywine
• Cream
• Vienna
• Schwarzbier
• Gluten free choice/s
• Cider

I realize the fridge needs to be large and there may or may not be room for the complementary foods. Nonetheless, that’s why there are coolers, and when you’re friends ask “what can I bring” tell them ice and a cooler.

Keep a full pitcher of water close at hand as well - ensuring hydration with all the merriment in an easy “oh yea” kind of way benefits everyone.

With this kind of selection, you’ll be ready to be voted Best Holiday Host. Have fun, get ready and savor the flavors this holiday.

How do you find your fit?

Do you answer an ad for an opening? Do you inquire with friends and colleagues? Do you surf the net? Do you do methodical or haphazard exploration on the things you are keen on? Do you work yourself into the place you want to be? Do you make things happen or do you sit back and expect something to happen?

Most beer interested people I know work on making it happen. Industry isn’t built on apathy and the beer community in these United States is abuzz and full of intelligent, driven, passionate folks who have found their fit or are making their own mold.

Ginger & Burc of The Beer Authority in Seattle. He's found a good fit (and is very happy!).

I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and befriend or at least becolleague hundreds of people in the beer community. From the most novice consumer enthusiast to the can’t-tell-you-enough home brewer, from the beginning professional brewer to the thoughtful supplier, from the hometown distributor to the always smiling retailer, from the down to earth grower to the rubber boot wearing cellar person.

Finding the fit in your community, your vocation, your service and yourself is something that should make us happy and satisfied. Starting with happy makes a lot of other things happen and possible. And people like to be around happy people.

If you haven’t quite found your fit, keep working at it. Ask for help, pull up your bootstraps, don’t wait from someone else to make it happen. And take full responsibility; our country also wasn’t built on the poor-me philosophy and it’s appalling and inappropriate when other people play the blame game. Know when to jump at change, when to fold your cards and move on, and how to recognize opportunity. Learn also to realize when you are happy and that it can sometimes be enough for the time being.

Cheers today to people that inspire, help you find your fit, and make you and the people around you happy.