Homebrewing Needs a Woman's Touch

[markvale5]

I like beer.

 

[drainbamage]

I like beer.

Sexist. :cross:

 

[Kee]

I would not single out HBT for sexism, but of course it will crop up on occasion. Overall this site is way more respectful than the average.

(I almost feel like apologizing for an off-topic comment after reading the last few pages).

 

[homebrewdad]

If you are referring to the fact that the home brewing community is actually not sexist like you thought it was, then yes, it was a success for us.

What you have proven is that today's active posters on HBT disagree with my premise. The reddit discussion on this is a lot more split - with (gasp) actual women saying things like "I have seen/lived this this myself" (also, at least one who, like Hello here, disagrees).

Then, there are facebook discussions, one of which is almost at 100% of the comments agreeing that yeah, the homebrew community has some room for improvement.

Let's clap ourselves on the back here. Maybe we can get a "certified non-sexist internet site" button or the like. That doesn't mean it's not a good discussion to have.

Do note that I never singled out HBT. Being the largest homebrewing community online, I was rather hoping that this would be the best sort of place for this kind of discussion.

 

[BGBC]

Especially when HBT defaults people's profile gender to woman

Proof.

 

[Aileen]

I'll chime in late as well. I don't find that this board is sexist, no. I mostly lurk but I'm here reading most days and feel like the tone given to women posting is the same as that given to men.
I do roll my eyes a bit at the "women don't like beer", "women don't like messes", "women don't like the smell of hops", etc. comments I see, but I don't think those comments are insults, I just think that maybe the women those guys know really are like that.
As for why more women don't brew I can't really say. Most of my female friends love beer but don't have any interest in brewing their own. Maybe it's just a personality thing. I'm also in a male-dominated profession (software engineering), and my kids like to say I'm really "a dude" underneath.

 

[sompls]

I don't want to offend the men with lady locker room talk and nip shots.

/end thread crap.

Whoa! Wait one second....you're a girl? Well this changes everything! All of your posts sounded so manly. And there are other girls posting too?
Da heck?

Nip shots? Cool



Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Psylocide]

I'll chime in late as well. I don't find that this board is sexist, no. I mostly lurk but I'm here reading most days and feel like the tone given to women posting is the same as that given to men.
I do roll my eyes a bit at the "women don't like beer", "women don't like messes", "women don't like the smell of hops", etc. comments I see, but I don't think those comments are insults, I just think that maybe the women those guys know really are like that.
As for why more women don't brew I can't really say. Most of my female friends love beer but don't have any interest in brewing their own. Maybe it's just a personality thing. I'm also in a male-dominated profession (software engineering), and my kids like to say I'm really "a dude" underneath.

Oh come on Aileen.

 

[finsfan]

What you have proven is that today's active posters on HBT disagree with my premise. The reddit discussion on this is a lot more split - with (gasp) actual women saying things like "I have seen/lived this this myself" (also, at least one who, like Hello here, disagrees).

Then, there are facebook discussions, one of which is almost at 100% of the comments agreeing that yeah, the homebrew community has some room for improvement.

Let's clap ourselves on the back here. Maybe we can get a "certified non-sexist internet site" button or the like. That doesn't mean it's not a good discussion to have.

Do note that I never singled out HBT. Being the largest homebrewing community online, I was rather hoping that this would be the best sort of place for this kind of discussion.

I already clearly stated that their IS sexism that occurs in home brewing, but not even close to the levels that is happens in the rest of society. Does that make it right? No. Again, there will always be some of us who do not do the right thing. And I agree that it is a good discussion to have. But you have stereotyped the entire group of homebrewers when you say our culture needs to change.

You just commented that this is the largest homebrewing community online, and yet 99% of us, including multiple women (who, believe it or not, are highly active in their local home brewing communities as well, not just HBT) disagree with your opinion that the homebrewing culture is sexist. But I guess reddit would know more about our community.... Seems like you only want to take in information that supports your opinions.

Next time you want the opinion of the homebrewing community, I guess dont ask for it on the biggest web based homebrewing community?

 

[finsfan]

It also seems to me that your issue is with The Brewing Network and the ads they run. I really dont ever use that website so I have not seen that for myself. Why not write them an email before you chastise an entire group of people like you have today? That is one company out of hundreds, if not thousands, of quality home brew related companies that have nothing but utmost respect for any and all homebrewers, gender aside.

 

[compumasta]

What you have proven is that today's active posters on HBT disagree with my premise. The reddit discussion on this is a lot more split - with (gasp) actual women saying things like "I have seen/lived this this myself" (also, at least one who, like Hello here, disagrees).

Then, there are facebook discussions, one of which is almost at 100% of the comments agreeing that yeah, the homebrew community has some room for improvement.

No. I realize that I am new here, but I do not think you can get off the hook like that. The people here who are active and care about this community have almost universally agreed that you are full of crap by making assumptions that because there may be a small group of sexist people in homebrewing, that the whole culture(and everyone in it) is sexist. No one here is particularly hard-headed on this issue except you.



Do we have a way here to mark a link like this as "clickbait" so that we can show our non-support of clickbait?

 

[mattmmille]

*BAMF* Aaaaaand I just had to pop in here! Not a female. Nip shots are awesome. That being said, some of the best advice, recipes, support and inspiration that I have received from HBT and locally (@Hello!) have been from women. Additional shouts out to @Yooper, @Melana, @Temptd2. And it had nothing to do with their gender. Props to the ladies of HBT.

 

[ol-hazza]

I cant wait for Yooper to post so I know what my opinion on the matter is...

 

[bob1852]

It also seems to me that your issue is with The Brewing Network and the ads they run. Why not write them an email before you chastise an entire group of people like you have today? That is one company out of hundreds, if not thousands, of quality home brew related companies that have nothing but utmost respect for any and all homebrewers, gender aside.

Too many people think TBN represents all homebrewers.....

I'll just leave it at that.

 

[BGBC]

Too many people think TBN represents all homebrewers.....



I'll just leave it at that.

I do appreciate that they exist. But the way the exist is frustrating to me.

 

[drainbamage]

I cant wait for Yooper to post so I know what my opinion on the matter is...

That Red Green-lookin' guy? I'm pretty sure he prefers homebrewing as a boys' club.

 

[brick_haus]

Another war on women conspiracy? I too have never seen nor heard any comment or action to warrant concern. All who want to participate are welcomed.

 

[MT2sum]

Another war on women conspiracy? I too have never seen nor heard any comment or action to warrant concern. All who want to participate are welcomed.

My sentiments exactly!
On another note: I just looked at the stats for this thread ..... 196 look-sees and 195 replies :rockin:
Looks kinda like everyone who takes a look at this thread wants to at least get a word in edgewise

 

[DrunkleJon]

Can't tell if serious…

I was seriously kidding with my post to you. Well not the fat part, but everything else about hurting my soul...I have no soul. You can't hurt it.


I wasn't intending to tell him off, I do apologize if that is how it came off. I just disagree with most points he was making and also felt bad that male home brewers are somehow seen this way at all.

Wait, you are a Ginger?

Dammit! These acronyms are too confusing. I thought a NOMB was "I can has cheezburger cat" reference.

It made more sense to me the other way.

Grammar police post, but SWMBO and i guess NOMB are initialisms not acronyms. Acronyms are initialisms that you pronounce as a word. just sayin.

What you have proven is that today's active posters on HBT disagree with my premise. The reddit discussion on this is a lot more split - with (gasp) actual women saying things like "I have seen/lived this this myself" (also, at least one who, like Hello here, disagrees).

Then, there are facebook discussions, one of which is almost at 100% of the comments agreeing that yeah, the homebrew community has some room for improvement.

Let's clap ourselves on the back here. Maybe we can get a "certified non-sexist internet site" button or the like. That doesn't mean it's not a good discussion to have.

Do note that I never singled out HBT. Being the largest homebrewing community online, I was rather hoping that this would be the best sort of place for this kind of discussion.

I don't know if I would go that far. Okay, I will say that HBT is one of the more neutral/understanding internet sites I have been on. Sure you can expect the occasional misogynistic remark, welcome to real life. Most are in good fun actually. Agreed, the brewing community is pretty male-centric. So are classic car restoration, meat smoking, grilling, hunting, etc. It is understandable that some hobbies are have a larger representation of one sex over the other. Check any sewing forum, I am fairly sure that it is more female-centric than otherwise. Not to be sexist, but generally speaking brewing is a more male hobby, especially beer brewing. That is what they are called generalizations, because generally they are true. I find this as being one of the most understanding, accepting communities I have experienced. In real life and on the net. Unless you are not legal to brew/drink because we dont want to see the place shut down.

I will say something about reddit. True, I cannot really get into it as it seems a tad too free range with a severe lack of moderation which tends to allow for more... extreme posts. Look at the community and take what it says with a grain of salt. Some communities you expect more extreme thinking/talk from, some are more moderate. That is the nice thing about here, it seems that our members are more understanding and accepting and less "OMG FU!!!!". I am not saying that reddit doesnt have a point, its just that communities seem to form around common beliefs, and the common belief here seems to be more based around the spreading of knowledge than being a boys club.

All of my experiences in life with homebrewing, telling people I brew my own, and google searches have yielded nothing but acceptance for all, and not just be gender related. Who cares what you brew, you brew. Okay, maybe there is some stigma, oftentimes joking against macrobrews andhipsters that you will find. Macro anything tends to be acceptable to poke fun at, and as for hipsters... well, that (self proclaimed) lifestyle thrives on not doing what is mainstream, and as a result doesnt care if most like how they do things. It seems that those who are more crafty and DIY are more apt to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Also, before my rambling goes on too long, historically, brewing in many cultures has been "womens work". Should we chauvinistic males ask forgiveness for intruding on women's domain?

 

[bob1852]

My sentiments exactly!
On another note: I just looked at the stats for this thread ..... 196 look-sees and 195 replies :rockin:
Looks kinda like everyone who takes a look at this thread wants to at least get a word in edgewise

The "views" aren't live updated on this site.....check back tomorrow...

 

[leightonp]

I haven't been on this site for long, a month or so, but I couldn't tell you what gender anyone here is unless they proclaim it in there user names. From what I've gathered people are here for answers and to share knowledge with a fair bit a goofing off at work. I've read hundreds of posts and haven't noticed anyone being singled out for anything much less for gender. This is one of the most reason based argument websites I've ever seen. Anywhere else on the internet a seemingly stupid question gets answered with, "haha !$#%ing noob". Here you hear "this is what you did wrong and why". Or if it's a discussion it's "I don't do ____ and this is why". Homebrew forums are one of the most welcoming places I've ever seen on the internet.

 

[Hello]

So, just another day on HBT?

Exactly!

 

[ol-hazza]

That Red Green-lookin' guy? I'm pretty sure he prefers homebrewing as a boys' club.

I'm missing the reference....

 

[imasickboy]

I've never taken notice to outright sexism here, but I will say that there aren't many female homebrewers in the grand scheme of things.

For those that insist they don't discriminate against female homebrewers, I ask you this:

What are you doing to encourage women to start brewing?

 

[Psylocide]

Grammar police post, but SWMBO and i guess NOMB are initialisms not acronyms. Acronyms are initialisms that you pronounce as a word. just sayin.

The B is silent.

 

[finsfan]

I've never taken notice to outright sexism here, but I will say that there aren't many female homebrewers in the grand scheme of things.

For those that insist they don't discriminate against female homebrewers, I ask you this:

What are you doing to encourage women to start brewing?

Dude, check your username. haha seriously??

 

[DrunkleJon]

The B is silent.

Is Nom really a word? Okay, I will give you that one, but that is also why I said "I guess"

Carry on...

 

[markvale5]

I like beer.

 

[unionrdr]

Hey, I taught my wife to brew. That should count for something? They're as welcome to me as anybody else. We all like brewing beer. Close enough. Nothing to see here...

 

[Psylocide]

Is Nom really a word? Okay, I will give you that one, but that is also why I said "I guess"

Carry on...