Episode 16: Cultural Beer Language with Dr. J.

How does beer language get used to exclude and gatekeep, and how can it be used instead to welcome and invite?

Every aroma or flavor we identify in beer or chocolate or some other food or drink is something we learned at some point, and that personal vocabulary is based upon where we grew up, our cultural background, and a host of other influences. As craft beer works to be more inclusive, the language we use to describe beer needs to be examined and opened up to new influences. In this episode I talk with Dr. J Nikol Jackson-Beckham about where cultural biases are found in beer language and how we can learn to use descriptive sensory language to welcome newcomers and learn from others.

The Esther Mobley article in the San Francisco Chronicle referenced in this episode can be found here.

In this episode we look at ideas that were first discussed in episode 01 of this podcast. You can listen to that episode here.

The music for this episode was sampled from an instrumental version of the song “200” written and performed by indie folk musician Anna ps from her 2016 album Umbrella. Anna p.s. conveys a sense of weariness throughout her simple yet resonant songs, but it’s a weariness that keeps a blanket of hope tucked up under its chin, even as the rain keeps falling outside the windows. You can find out more about Anna at her website.

Guests:

Dr. J Nikol Jackson-Beckham is the Principal of Crafted For All, LLC a consultancy that helps craft beverage organizations become more inclusive, equitable, and just. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Craft x EDU, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to champion inclusion, equity, and justice in the craft brewing community through education and professional development. Prior to founding these organizations, Dr. J was a professor of communication and cultural studies who dedicated her academic career to the study of American beer. For two years, Dr J served as the first ever Diversity Ambassador for the Brewers Association, the nonprofit professional association for small and independent brewers in the U.S. Currently, she serves as the Brewer Association’s Equity & Inclusion Partner.