I often wonder what it’s like to go to the bar and order a beer as a man.
It must be so easy.
I imagine it’s nice to not have other men put their arms on your waist to – literally – manhandle you out of their way. Or to have bar staff act as if you just don’t exist, begrudgingly serving you after a bloke (even if you were there before them).
I can’t help but wonder if men get judged for their body, or looks. If they get the same raised eyebrows and smirks that I do when I ask for a beer, and not the wine, cocktail or pink fizz people assume I’d order just from looking at my apparently stereotypically feminine features.
I wonder if men get unsolicited remarks based on what they order, or if they get told how many calories are in it.
If they get called ‘love’, ‘babe’ or any bird-related pet name, and told they might not like it. That it’s strong, too hoppy, too expensive, too anything for them to possibly enjoy as a woman.
As a female beer drinker, all of these things have happened (and still happen) to me – and I’m tired of it. So tired that I constantly ask myself whether it’s worth drinking beer at all.
Truthfully, it’s exhausting to exist in a bar as a woman most of the time – or anywhere that serves beer, in fact. Pubs, clubs, bars, beer festivals, or restaurants.
To have a simple thing as what you’d like to drink second-guessed and presumed based on what your body looks like, or how your voice sounds. It’s ridiculous.
Unsurprisingly, according to a recent report by campaigning group Dea Latis (named after the actual Celtic goddess of beer and water, ironically), women are drinking less beer than ever – and I can hardly blame them.
‘The Gender Pint Gap: Revisited’ report is the first of its kind – and has shocking results. It turns out that there’s fewer women drinking beer since its first report in 2018 – with male-orientated advertising, potential weight gain, and fear of being judged by others to blame.
Apparently, only 14% of women drink beer weekly (compared to 50% of men), a 3% drop in six years.
A massive 82% of women surveyed strongly agreed or tended to agree that beer ads were targeted at men – while three quarters of men thought the same. You only need to take one look at the drinks aisle in any supermarket to be met with silvers, blues and greys that are colours often marketed towards men.
Historical beer ads of busty wenches and stay-at-home wives serving their hard working man a cold one have stuck in people’s minds, it seems. Plus, it was only five years ago when names like Leg Spreader, Dizzy Blonde and Village Bike were banned from major beer festivals.
Yet still, one brewery was told by an industry regulator only last year that their logo of a bare-breasted, bearded mermaid – showcasing its Unshaven Maiden cider – was ‘too sexual’. Its tagline? ‘Search for the cherry’d treasure’. I’m sure I don’t need to spell out how grim that is.
As a result of this, women in the original report said they didn’t like drinking beer while with their male friends, either.
However, they reported feeling comfortable drinking beer with other women as it felt like they weren’t being judged.
That they were in a safe space, comfortable to express opinions on beer, and felt they were more educated. It says it all, really.
And, honestly, same.
I’ve often found, being a beer drinker, that I’ve had to prove myself to men. When I’ve turned up to judge beer competitions, I’m assumed to be a student or waitress.
I’ve been separated from men and put onto tables with only women. I’ve been catcalled, harassed and sexually assaulted at beer festivals. All by men who thought I was there for entertainment and to serve them, not as a worthy drinking partner.
Perhaps what’s even worse is that 70% of women surveyed strongly agreed or tended to agree that calorific content of beer and negative health implications were a barrier to drinking beer, too.
Basically, they feared gaining weight. Given the obsession with women’s bodies, and a constant need from society for women to remain perfect, prude and pin-thin.
I’m hardly surprised, but it still makes me so utterly bereft that women aren’t choosing to drink something they like because they’re scared of how they look holding it, or what it might do to their body.
Yes, I’ve had raised eyebrows and glances down at my body from staff and punters when I’ve ordered a second pint, as if I should be watching my weight, and considering my health.
The male beer monsters with beer bellies merely get a second glance. They get a pint in hand, and a pat on the back.
Prescribed gender stereotypes need to go. Sexist, outdated assumptions about women are entrenched in our very culture and society – the beer and brewing industry included.
Beer is for everyone – it’s not just a man’s drink, except the beer industry too often leaves women out of the conversation. It’s what’s led to 67% of women strongly or tending to agree beer was for men – and with 64% of men feeling the same.
That’s most men and women believing that beer isn’t for everyone. When it is. It’s just a drink that men have been gatekeeping as their own for far too long.
Women aren’t hired in leading managerial or brewing roles, with reports stating that only 3% of brewers are female.
Truthfully, how are women supposed to feel happy, content and comfortable drinking beer when the only women they see are belittled behind the bar, and not taking space in the brewery?
Women are sexualised and alienated in drinks marketing, harassed at unsafe beer festivals, and questioned about their ability or worth. Nothing has changed for women in years, and it shows.
We need more male allies. People need to listen to women. To talk to us, and ask questions about what we do and don’t want.
Because sadly, not once has a man in the pub, a brewery or behind a bar, asked me what it is I want to see change, or what will make me feel safer. They’re more interested in getting me behind the bar to ogle at while I handle their handpumps, instead.
All I want is a damn pint, without having to fight for it.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
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