It’s no surprise that women seem to be less into beer than men. While ads rife with midriff-bearing women are appealing to some, they can make it seem like beer is exclusively a man’s drink. “They’ve got to go,” says Toronto beer specialist Mirella Amato. As organizer of Toronto’s chapter of Barley’s Angels, a girls-only beer club, she knows that women can appreciate the beverage just as much as men if given a chance. So, how can breweries get women more into beer?
Molson Coors has proposed one rather interesting solution to the conundrum: make a beer that’s dainty. Or, in this case, a beer that’s pink. Like, literally pink. The beer company recently announced the release of Animée, its female-oriented “beer,” in the U.K., and it will come in three flavors: clear filtered, crisp rosé and zesty lemon. The only thing missing is a free pair of high heel shoes with each purchase (and maybe a couple of pretty horsies on the label).
How femme-fastic is it really, though? The Guardian’s Melissa Cole gave the beer a try and had this to say about it: “If anyone can identify anything even approaching a normal beer flavor in any of these drinks I’ll eat my hat.”
And while Amato hasn’t tried it yet (she is curious, though, about its purported bloat-resistant properties), she’s convinced that “flavour is key” in winning over the hearts of the ladies. Aesthetics alone aren’t going to cut it. Perhaps — and here’s a radical suggestion — brewers could starting marketing beer for its flavour, or highlighting the foods that complement different beers.
“The solution is not to get a buff guy inviting me to beer camp,” she says. “Everyone has a different taste. Trying to pigeonhole women — I don’t like it.”
“I like the toastiness of the tortilla,” says Kennedy of La Mexicana’s chicken burrito. “And I’m definitely enjoying the smoky hot sauce.”
“This is really good,” says Kennedy, trying Burrito Boyz’s famed halibut burrito. “It’s a risky thing to do — but the fish is a good medium for the burrito.” Price: $8.85
Kenney says this adobo chicken burrito is a “derivation” of the classic wrap. “It’s good. I like the heat and the creaminess of the avocado,” he says.
“I actually like the chicken in this,” says Kennedy, admitting he prefers other types of meat to poultry. “I think it’s been pulled — with a little chili. Nice textures.”
Although Kennedy adores the tacos from this bustling Salvadoran shop, he says this chorizo burrito is “a little flat,” and “the sauce provides more of the same.”
“This one looks good,” says Kennedy. “It’s a little lacking, compared to some of the others, but there are some nice fresh ingredients here.”
Taking a hearty bite of this chicken burrito, Kennedy says: “I’ll just say it doesn’t compare favourably.”
