Comments on: Normalization of Maleness and Whiteness in Beer Packaging http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/ Sociological Images encourages people to exercise and develop their sociological imaginations with discussions of compelling visuals that span the breadth of sociological inquiry. Fri, 25 May 2012 17:40:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Papa Jaxx http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-204655 Papa Jaxx Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:00:13 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-204655 Damn. Fascinating. A wonderful post. And lots of thought provoking comments. I feel I have learned my lessons for the day [and it is only 8a]. As a counter point . . . I have seen lots and lots of beer bottle labels and 6er carton, in my 66 years. Gotta say, most do not have images of people. More likely a dog or bucolic scene. Regardless, really enjoyed the post. Damn. Fascinating. A wonderful post. And lots of thought provoking comments.
I feel I have learned my lessons for the day [and it is only 8a].

As a counter point . . . I have seen lots and lots of beer bottle labels and 6er carton, in my 66 years. Gotta say, most do not have images of people. More likely a dog or bucolic scene.

Regardless, really enjoyed the post.

]]> By: Melinda http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-151429 Melinda Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:41:47 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-151429 It's late, but as a New Orleanian, I want to throw in that Blackened Voodoo is a Louisiana brand and although most in the U.S. would be familiar with the Prudhomme version of blackening, it's pretty much standard fair and big part of our food culture. It is not a reference to race. Voodoo as practiced in New Orleans is a combination of African and Native American traditions with European Catholicism mixed in. It has been practiced by people of African, European, and mixed descent in New Orleans and the surrounding areas for centuries. I highly recommend Martha C. Wards "Voodoo Queen: the Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau" for anyone wanting to know the true multicultural roots of New Orleans voodoo. It’s late, but as a New Orleanian, I want to throw in that Blackened Voodoo is a Louisiana brand and although most in the U.S. would be familiar with the Prudhomme version of blackening, it’s pretty much standard fair and big part of our food culture. It is not a reference to race.

Voodoo as practiced in New Orleans is a combination of African and Native American traditions with European Catholicism mixed in. It has been practiced by people of African, European, and mixed descent in New Orleans and the surrounding areas for centuries. I highly recommend Martha C. Wards “Voodoo Queen: the Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau” for anyone wanting to know the true multicultural roots of New Orleans voodoo.

]]> By: Lew Bryson http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-136045 Lew Bryson Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:10:25 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-136045 "Blackened Voodoo Lager"? One, it's a dark lager (another variant, Crimson Voodoo, was a reddish amber lager). Two, when the beer first came out, Chef K Paul's "blackened" Cajun food was a big hit in the media; "blackened redfish" was on menus as mainstream as Applebee's. I'll give you the 'voodoo' part, but I honestly think you're barking up the wrong tree on the 'blackened' part here. “Blackened Voodoo Lager”? One, it’s a dark lager (another variant, Crimson Voodoo, was a reddish amber lager). Two, when the beer first came out, Chef K Paul’s “blackened” Cajun food was a big hit in the media; “blackened redfish” was on menus as mainstream as Applebee’s. I’ll give you the ‘voodoo’ part, but I honestly think you’re barking up the wrong tree on the ‘blackened’ part here.

]]> By: Morgan Page http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-136032 Morgan Page Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:21:40 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-136032 I find it interesting that no one has noted the "Blackened Voodoo Lager" as being incredibly racist. Haitian Vodou is a legitimate religion, practiced primarily by Black Haitians and New Orleanians, and here it is used to make the beer exotic. We are reminded by the "Blackened" of exactly why 'Voodoo' is exotic: Black people practice it. This is yet another example of the appropriation of Vodou by white culture, which degrades the religion and those who practice it. ~Morgan I find it interesting that no one has noted the “Blackened Voodoo Lager” as being incredibly racist. Haitian Vodou is a legitimate religion, practiced primarily by Black Haitians and New Orleanians, and here it is used to make the beer exotic. We are reminded by the “Blackened” of exactly why ‘Voodoo’ is exotic: Black people practice it. This is yet another example of the appropriation of Vodou by white culture, which degrades the religion and those who practice it.

~Morgan

]]> By: Thaddeus http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-135228 Thaddeus Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:19:18 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-135228 Who said that? Who said that?

]]> By: Lew Bryson http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-135214 Lew Bryson Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:54:24 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-135214 Actually, karinova, white people DID invent lager beer, the beer that's by far the most popular: over 90% of world consumption is lager beer, and it was invented (and lager yeast isolated and identified) in central Europe. There's also a ton of beer advertising that features people of color. Jay-Z is the frontman for Bud Select (or was; Bud Select is doing so poorly it's hard to say what they're trying this month), Billy Dee Williams was featured in a famous series of Colt 45 ads, Bud Light featured a series of ads with Cedric the Entertainer, the new series of ads with the Miller High Life Guy... I think what you're looking at is a dearth of non-white folk on beer packaging. But advertising? That's just not so. Actually, karinova, white people DID invent lager beer, the beer that’s by far the most popular: over 90% of world consumption is lager beer, and it was invented (and lager yeast isolated and identified) in central Europe.

There’s also a ton of beer advertising that features people of color. Jay-Z is the frontman for Bud Select (or was; Bud Select is doing so poorly it’s hard to say what they’re trying this month), Billy Dee Williams was featured in a famous series of Colt 45 ads, Bud Light featured a series of ads with Cedric the Entertainer, the new series of ads with the Miller High Life Guy… I think what you’re looking at is a dearth of non-white folk on beer packaging. But advertising? That’s just not so.

]]> By: Jack http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-135113 Jack Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:56:31 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-135113 You're saying non-whites don't drink beer?Because you'd be wrong. You’re saying non-whites don’t drink beer?Because you’d be wrong.

]]> By: karinova http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-127361 karinova Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:25:36 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-127361 This may come off to you as a stretch, but... you know white people didn't invent beer right? And that nonwhite people the world over consume vast quantities of it? I know, I know: "but Euros are the ones who are famous for it!" One has to wonder why, though. Also, I'm no sure about the notion that they're consciously trying to market to white men primarily. (I mean, clearly they <i>are</i>, but I'm not sure that's logical.) Really? Non-white people don't drink beer?! This may come off to you as a stretch, but… you know white people didn’t invent beer right? And that nonwhite people the world over consume vast quantities of it? I know, I know: “but Euros are the ones who are famous for it!” One has to wonder why, though.

Also, I’m no sure about the notion that they’re consciously trying to market to white men primarily. (I mean, clearly they are, but I’m not sure that’s logical.) Really? Non-white people don’t drink beer?!

]]> By: karinova http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-127359 karinova Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:15:28 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-127359 "DP" Barleywine? Oh, that's nice. And so necessary. What dedication to a theme! “DP” Barleywine?
Oh, that’s nice. And so necessary.

What dedication to a theme!

]]> By: Alice http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-126389 Alice Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:35:11 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-126389 So cool to see sebbie's post here, when I was coming specifically to give a shout out to Rogue's Honey Cream Ale (BEST light ale I've ever had when it was on tap at their bar in Portland). That label's still a white woman, but another woman enjoying her beverage: http://www.beersuggest.com/beer/4180/Honey_Cream_Ale/ I remember seeing a St Paulie Girl billboard just after I'd gotten my hands on some 'I spy sexism' stickers. They were too small to see if I somehow got up to put them *on* the billboard, but I made good use of the light poles nearby, with an arrow clarifying their target. (She's holding multiple beers, but rather obviously in a 'let me serve you as you ogle my boobs' way.) So cool to see sebbie’s post here, when I was coming specifically to give a shout out to Rogue’s Honey Cream Ale (BEST light ale I’ve ever had when it was on tap at their bar in Portland).

That label’s still a white woman, but another woman enjoying her beverage: http://www.beersuggest.com/beer/4180/Honey_Cream_Ale/

I remember seeing a St Paulie Girl billboard just after I’d gotten my hands on some ‘I spy sexism’ stickers. They were too small to see if I somehow got up to put them *on* the billboard, but I made good use of the light poles nearby, with an arrow clarifying their target. (She’s holding multiple beers, but rather obviously in a ‘let me serve you as you ogle my boobs’ way.)

]]> By: Erik http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-126281 Erik Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:24:39 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-126281 This is a good place to repost a woman's tale about sexism in the brewing industry: http://www.sustainabrew.com/2009/09/14/women-in-brewing/ It's a very odd phenomenon that many hobbies which are filled with young, single men (videogaming, homebrewing (from what I've seen at my local shop), etc) give rise to a culture which is very repellent to young women, even though those young guys would probably love to meet girls who share their hobby. As a young, single man who would love to meet more girls who like homebrewing and videogames, it's irritating to see the cultures surrounding those two hobbies perpetuate misogyny! This is a good place to repost a woman’s tale about sexism in the brewing industry:
http://www.sustainabrew.com/2009/09/14/women-in-brewing/

It’s a very odd phenomenon that many hobbies which are filled with young, single men (videogaming, homebrewing (from what I’ve seen at my local shop), etc) give rise to a culture which is very repellent to young women, even though those young guys would probably love to meet girls who share their hobby. As a young, single man who would love to meet more girls who like homebrewing and videogames, it’s irritating to see the cultures surrounding those two hobbies perpetuate misogyny!

]]> By: defenestrated http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-125606 defenestrated Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:56:36 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-125606 On the Very Slim Silver Lining Front, I'll take women's disembodied heads and faces over the disembodied breasts and other body parts found in a lot of advertising. Not that I'm a fan of my gender getting figuratively chopped up, but if we're to be reduced to one body part, at least in these examples it's the face. That's *not* at all an endorsement of this practice, just a bit of pointless "Well, it *could* be worse..." All that said, I love beer too and am going to be more picky about the brands whose advertising I support from now on. Luckily for me, *most* of my favorite Oregon brands just have pictures of trees, bicycles, and hippie crap like that on their logos :D Yay genderless hippie crap. On the Very Slim Silver Lining Front, I’ll take women’s disembodied heads and faces over the disembodied breasts and other body parts found in a lot of advertising. Not that I’m a fan of my gender getting figuratively chopped up, but if we’re to be reduced to one body part, at least in these examples it’s the face. That’s *not* at all an endorsement of this practice, just a bit of pointless “Well, it *could* be worse…”

All that said, I love beer too and am going to be more picky about the brands whose advertising I support from now on. Luckily for me, *most* of my favorite Oregon brands just have pictures of trees, bicycles, and hippie crap like that on their logos :D Yay genderless hippie crap.

]]> By: Thaddeus http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-125437 Thaddeus Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:30:14 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-125437 Most of those companies are specifically trying to evoke certain cultural elements. The genuineness of elements said elements would be sacrificed by the forced (and false) addition of racial diversity. NONE of those labels show modern people drinking beer. They show images associated with the past. Should we rewrite history to make ourselves look more diverse and accepting? Should companies refrain from using white men in their advertising if the image they're trying to evoke is one where colored men would be out of place? There are interesting and eye-opening things that occur on this blog from time to time, but complaining that the label for an IRISH pale ale only has a white man on it is one of the most ridiculous and overly critical things that I have ever seen. Most of those companies are specifically trying to evoke certain cultural elements. The genuineness of elements said elements would be sacrificed by the forced (and false) addition of racial diversity.

NONE of those labels show modern people drinking beer. They show images associated with the past. Should we rewrite history to make ourselves look more diverse and accepting?

Should companies refrain from using white men in their advertising if the image they’re trying to evoke is one where colored men would be out of place?

There are interesting and eye-opening things that occur on this blog from time to time, but complaining that the label for an IRISH pale ale only has a white man on it is one of the most ridiculous and overly critical things that I have ever seen.

]]> By: Matt K http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-125212 Matt K Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:50:49 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-125212 I think you misunderstand the use of the word "erased" here, which obviously does not refer to a literal covering-up on the package. Rather, it means that these packages obscure the fact that people of colour exist, and that people of colour drink beer. If we were to go from packaging alone, we might think that only white men drink beer. I think you misunderstand the use of the word “erased” here, which obviously does not refer to a literal covering-up on the package. Rather, it means that these packages obscure the fact that people of colour exist, and that people of colour drink beer. If we were to go from packaging alone, we might think that only white men drink beer.

]]> By: sebbie http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/09/guest-post-normalization-of-maleness-and-whiteness-in-beer-packaging/comment-page-1/#comment-124989 sebbie Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:02:15 +0000 http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/?p=13832#comment-124989 thanks for the kind words about my beer and bottle design. Yup, I am the face on the Rogue Chocolate Stout label, created in 2000 by Penny who has designed Rogue Ales' packaging for 21 years. All the women on our labels are real gals, Honey Cream, Mom's Half-e-Weizen, and Somer Ale. Thanks also to Lew who give me a shout out. Not only am I imbibing in a class of Rogue Chocolate Stout, I am holding a piece of Dutch Bittersweet Chocolate in my hand. my blog has notes about pairings, recipes, events and some of the adventures this beer has lead me on. www.RogueChocolateStout.com got cheese? thanks for the kind words about my beer and bottle design. Yup, I am the face on the Rogue Chocolate Stout label, created in 2000 by Penny who has designed Rogue Ales’ packaging for 21 years. All the women on our labels are real gals, Honey Cream, Mom’s Half-e-Weizen, and Somer Ale.

Thanks also to Lew who give me a shout out. Not only am I imbibing in a class of Rogue Chocolate Stout, I am holding a piece of Dutch Bittersweet Chocolate in my hand. my blog has notes about pairings, recipes, events and some of the adventures this beer has lead me on. http://www.RogueChocolateStout.com
got cheese?

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