American Appreciation- Frosty Mugs

Another lesson in American Appreciation this week…the Frosty Mug! What, might you ask, is a frosty mug? Well, duh, it’s a mug that’s been in the freezer and is frosty. But what’s it for? Well, this is the American Appreciation part of it…I shall set the scene…

It’s July. It’s hot (30-40 degrees C with HIGH humidity). You sit ouside and sweat. You sit inside and sweat. It’s hot. The barbecue is stoked up and burgers are at the ready. Potato salad and crisps are ready for sides and maybe some apple pie with ice cream is waiting for dessert. What to drink?? What to drink?? Ah-ha…a cold beer! So, you reach into the freezer, pull out your beer mug which promptly frosts up the minute you take it out of the freezer. You pour in your ice cold beer and your frosty mug helps to keep it cold while you drink it down. Ahhhhhhh. It doesn’t get much better than this.

This is what we did in our family and I would bet that quite a few other American families do the same. Frosty mugs are the way to go! I challenge you to put 2 glasses/beer mugs in the freezer today and then this weekend, when it’s time for a refreshing adult beverage, pull out your frosty mugs and enjoy beer the way it was meant to be enjoyed…ice cold. Now, this probably won’t work if you’re a bitter or ale drinker…it’s more of a lager sort of tradition. It will make your beer taste ever so refreshing. Go on, what have you got to lose?

I recently was sent some lovely lagers and a rather ladylike beer glass in which to drink my beer. Guess where the glass lives now??? (In the freezer, duh) I’ve noticed here in the UK that beer drinking is not much of a “girlie” thing. In the US it would be my alcoholic beverage of choice when out in a pub or restaurant (depending on the cuisine) whereas here, in the UK, my alcoholic beverage of choice tends to be a cider or a glass of wine. Maybe it’s because lagers aren’t as popular and I’m just not a bitter or ale drinker. Hubby has tried to teach me how to drink a Guiness…I’m hopeless and it tastes rubbish to me.

BitterSweet Partnership is working hard to change that. Here’s what they have to say:

BitterSweet Partnership has been set up to change beer’s reputation and its relationship with women, simply because we feel women are currently missing out.

Our research tells us that the industry has damaged the reputation of beer among women, but in truth, many do love beer and want to see changes. Our job is to make it OK…. ‘OK to love beer’ – it’s about opening up a conversation with women to understand what they want and ultimately launch the perfect beer products and buying experience for them.

We’re not expecting to convert all wine and cocktail drinkers overnight, or ever for that matter, we just want beer to be a considered drink option for women on more occasions than it is today. And given that its alcohol content is generally much lower than alternatives –it’s a sensible one too!

Thanks for stopping by, we hope you come away with a refreshed view of beer.

Beer! It’s all good! The beers that I was sent by BitterSweet Partnership were all Coors and I love Coors beers… I had Coors Light, Blue Moon and Kasteel Cru bottles. Ooh they were lovely! I had sampled Blue Moon before in my home state of Wisconsin but hadn’t had the pleasure of Kasteel Cru before. Kasteel Cru actually is brewed with champagne yeast for a dry, sparkling finish. Who knew there was such a thing as “champagne yeast?” I’ve learned so much! And quite enjoyed all of the beers. Even hubby, who is more of a Guiness drinker, found something redeeming about all of the beers.

So ladies, the time has come…put your mugs in the freezer, buy some lager (Coors is always a good choice) and give beer drinking a go this weekend. Before the weekend comes though, check out the Bittersweet Partnership site. There are loads of great recipes, entertaining tips, blog posts and you can even create your own beer postcard!

And so endeth the second American Appreciation lesson on Frosty Mugs. Bet you can’t wait until next week!