Posted By: Lisa Grimm
There has been a proliferation of alcohol-related programming on television in the past few years; while a few are beer-centric, many cover a wide range of beverages, typically in conjunction with travel – and that’s all well and good. While there are a few individual standouts that do not fit the stereotype, on the whole these programs veer toward the fratboyesque – there tend to be drinking games, the odd brewery tour, lots of light lagers – and few women. The overall impression in the mainstream media is that beer is still something for men (well, boys) to drink when not in mixed company – and while craft beer is gaining wider notice beyond the geekerie, women are rarely highlighted as its ambassadors.
Lisa TV
Imagine, then, a television show with a fun, down-to-earth and personable host bringing the wonders of craft beer to your living rooms – in short, a Samantha Brown of beer. There are certainly plenty of breweries, beer destinations and events that could make good television, if well presented – and a knowledgable female host would send a clear message that it’s not just a boys’ club – and that women can have a little fun with beer, too. While we know that well enough in our own local beer communities, the media seems not to have noticed it yet – there’s an obvious gap in the market.
The overall goal would be to demystify craft beer for the casual viewer (and potential drinker), while highlighting how much fun it can be – as well as how sophisticated, but without any unnecessary snobbery. It could even go a long way toward mythbusting some odd notions held within some corners of the craft beer community; the theory that pilsners don’t ‘count’ as craft beer or that the size of a brewery (large or small) impacts its status as ‘good or bad’ are just a few that are fair game.
So, all you television producers looking for something to fill a timeslot – there’s the pitch. If you like the idea, hey, I need a job, I’m about Sam’s size, I photograph reasonably well – but more than that, I know I’d love to watch it. Let’s have more funny/smart beer shows, and fewer former frat boys – there’s room for both, but it’s time for the former.
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Fine Living network had a great show that’s still in re-run called the Thirsty Traveler hosted by Kevin Brauch. Excellent show. It covered the world of alcohol but he LOVED beer. He must have done at least 10 shows on different beer styles.
Need a co-host? Seriously. =)
I agree, Lisa. I love “Brewmasters” and I enjoy the fratish antics of Zane Lamprey and friends on “Drinking Made Easy” and “Three Sheets” (which returns tonight on Spike TV–topical!), but women on these shows are always guests rather than hosts.
Is it a case of “girls will watch a show about boys, but not the other way around,” which is ones of the reasons the latest Disney movie was called “Tangled” instead of “Rapunzel” and why Joanne Rowling published the most popular children’s book series ever with a pseudonym of ungendered initials?
I think guys will watch a beer show with women…IF the women are a certain level of attractiveness.
I’m trying to pitch this idea to one of my friends (she is totally hot; I think I’m more in the “cute and bubbly” range) as a cable access show here in Ann Arbor. That’d be a hoot!!!
Thanks for all your feedback! I also loved The Thirsty Traveler – it would have been great if they’d done even more beer-specific shows. Also a huge fan of Brewmasters (and I think they do a good job of showing that it’s not a one-man – or one-woman – operation), but it would be really nice to see a show that focuses on a wide variety of breweries and styles – and perhaps there’s something in the ‘JK Rowling Effect!’
I LOVE this idea! Also love ‘Drinking Made Easy’ etc. but always thought the same: no women! Ladies love craft beer too and are also well-educated on brewing/process/pairings/styles. Maybe we all just need to start it up on youtube and promote the crap out of it.