Basically, I would like to think that I am now old and secure enough in my manhood to drink a fruity beer without any moral repercussions. However, being as I am writing this blog we should all be able to conjecture that the latter is not true. Just because a beer has fruit in it doesn't mean that it is Zima, Pucker, or whatever else B used to drink.
Now I find myself wondering if there is really ever a time in a man’s life that it is acceptable to openly enjoy a fruity beer. As I would guess most of you do not drink these beers, I would also say that most of you like the taste but will not readily admit to it. What is there to dislike about their taste? The refreshing flavor, the party in your mouth, or only the girly stereotype?
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6 comments:
Indeed, there is a fine line that a beer walks between being a "girly beer" and a crisp fruit brewed "craft beer." I recently enjoyed an Abita Purple Haze, which is a delightful raspberry wheat that is cloudy as all hell and includes a secondary fermentation in the bottle so there is always a bit of yeast as well. It is very refreshing without being overly sweet, still with the bitterness of the fruit and freshness of the wheat.
Ultimately, I think that the key to drinking a very girly beer and still retaining your manhood is to recast yourself as an amazing beer nerd, rather than just a wine cooler drinking sophomore.
I have not had a fruity beer, as far as I know. I have had Blue Moon, numerous times, does this count as somewhat of a fruity beer? If so, I like'em. I will need to try some of this Raspberry Beer you speak of, although it does not sound like a combination that will satisfy my taste buds. When I find some, I will let you know what I think.
Rob,
Generally I would classify Blue Moon in this category as well mainly because it is usually accompanied, and tastily so, with a large fresh orange slice. I find Blue Moon to be the perfect beer to drink first thing in the morning on a football gameday if you're not drinking bloody mary's or some other morning cocktail.
I also find a nice light and slightly sweet brew to be the perfect change of pace in a long night of porter or stout drinking. A cas in point is the one I had last night amidst a seemingly endless slew of Guinness while watching the Memphis Tigers knock off the lowly Spartans.
Some "girly beers" you should try include Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, Pyramid Apricot, any Frambois, which is typically a raspberry flavored lambic brew, New Belgium's rendition is Frambozen. These styles typically appear around the holidays.
Pete's Strawberry Blonde is another that is not too over the top with the fruit...
There are plenty to choose from and they make a good change of pace to whatever else you're drinking all night. A 12 pack of 'em might be too much, but 1 or 2 might even be a good post workout substitute for a sports drink, don't you think?
I'd say enjoying fruity beer is fine--as long as you act snobby about it. If you are enjoying it because it tastes sweet and you normally hate the taste of beer, you're a douche. If you are enjoying it because of its "subtle notes and undertones" then you're a beer connoisseur who happens to be enjoying the complexity of a fruit infused brew. Actually, this still makes you a douche--just a different kind.
I vote thumbs down on fruity beers. All of them.
I guess that makes me the third type of douche: the close-minded, stick to your guns, manly one who calls out others for drinking "pussy beer". Damn it.
(In all reality I think Purple Haze is great, some apricot beers are really good, pumpkin beers are my favorite, Blue Moon is somewhat overrated, Orange Beers are best with Bud or MGD and PBR tastes good with a lime, but I love to exploit the "pussy beer" guy)
Interesting question. Above all, in my opinion, Pete said it correctly; the duty of calling out "pussy beer" guy trumps one's desire for fruit beer.
There is a caveat; be really careful orange-slice in Blue Moon guy; I'm looking your way tough fraternity guy with lime wedge in corona (no doubt wearing the same "A" sweatshirt that the alpha beta's did in revenge of the nerds in this scenario).
The silver lining? Brews and booze especially have benefits of increased alcohol from the fruit's fermentation itself.
New Belgium is really good at man-ifying fruits. They use some form of fruit in nearly all of their beers. To much success.
A lot has to do with labeling, and playing down actual graphics of fruit.
If you're a closet pussy fruit beer guy, and don't want to lose any inalienable bar-rights, look for pussy-beer on tap, or a bottle that features large mammals or machinery on the label, not a sun-kissed clump of raspberries.
For home consumption, you won't find fruit beers in my fridge. They just don't accompany an "on sale" sign very readily. If I'm late for a meeting with a barstool, how the hell am I supposed to shot-gun a cherry lambic? Inappropriate.
And ciders of any kind...you can stay in the cooler in the back of a Jetta.
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