BA Commits to Diversity: The Brewers Association released a statement this week outlining their plan to study, understand and promote diversity in the craft beer industry. The initiative covers everything from representation in the workplace, to advertising standards, to fully understanding shifting demographics in the beer drinking populace. We salute the BA’s mission, and are excited to help the cause. We’re also excited about another excuse to use a Broad City gif, but that’s a separate matter.
Women in Craft Beer Forum Starts in NYC: Women involved or interested in beer, take note: Flagship Brewing in Staten Island has started up a Women’s Craft Beer Society to highlight women in the industry and bring more women to the taps. The first meeting featured Lineup Brewing founder and brewer Katarina Martinez speaking about her path to craft beer and an ESB-focused tasting that included her own Under Pressure. Keep an eye out for future meetings– hopefully, we’ll host one ourselves.
Bud Light Goes Full Wonka: Light beer and leading suspect of sticky bar floors Bud Light announced a giveaway this week promising 51 years of Super Bowl tickets, or until the end of your life. All you have to do is find a golden Bud Light can in your pack, and suddenly you have access to tickets with an estimated value slightly more than God’s checking account. There’s no word yet on any winners, but we can only assume there’s a Grandpa Joe figure out there somewhere manipulating a Charlie Bucket type into repeated convenience store trips.
Wake Me Up Inside: Can’t wake up? A man in Poland shares your pain. A 25-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest after a full night of vodka drinking at his local pub, and was pronounced dead. Dead until the next morning, at least, when morgue attendants found the man banging on the inside of the refrigerator to ask for blankets and, presumably, a greasy sandwich and some aspirin. The man allegedly stopped at a pub for a drink on the way home, which we suppose he earned–afterlife is a long trip.
Belgian Beer Designated International Treasure: UNESCO has approved Belgian beer drinking culture as an official member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The mystery and magic of Belgian beer is clearly worthy of a standing ovation by the world at large, but the list is an excellent starting point. We raise our (highly specialized) glasses to you, Belgium!
Your Friday Thoughts: Leading cocktail figure Jeffrey Morgenthaler has assembled an excellent essay on what to drink and when, and the importance of knowing the difference, for your consideration in Food Republic. While we may disagree on the propriety of playing Metallica in the morning, Morgenthaler makes some fine points about reading the room before you get down to business. We recommend taking a look while you’re pretending to work this afternoon, then trying out his tips as soon as possible.