beer – Pike & Hurricane

Oktoberfest: How a Tradition Conquers the World

Nina Kolarzik — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:10:04 +0000

Dirndl, Lederhosen and a glass of beer- everybody knows this major components of the Oktoberfest, a celebration from southern Germany that became known and are imitated all over the world. With the beer, it also carries a certain image of Germany into the world- an example of national stereotypes and identity.

What would you like to drink?

If we get to know a new person, one of the first questions, especially among international students, is where they are from. And whatever country they answer, they are immediately measured by and compared to the image people have of this country. Certain expectations arise about the character, behaviour or preferences of a person, based only on their nationality and the stereotypes.

If you are from Greece you like to drink Ouzo, as a Russian you drink Vodka, as a Japanese Sake and as a German, what else but beer?. Some say, it is “Germany’s greatest cultural export”. And according to google, that is what Germans are known for: being punctual, work efficient and liking beer. Why are we talking about this in connection to foreign affairs? Because stereotypes affect the perception of, and therefore interaction between, individuals and nations in an international community.

Raise the glass – all around the globe

By now, Oktoberfest has become so popular that it is copied all around the world. No matter whether it’s Australia, Hong Kong or Malmö, this tradition was transferred into the calender of beer-lovers around the globe. In some places, it even develops new dynamics and meanings, for example as peaceful coming together between religions in Palestine. But it also transports a certain image of German culture and identity.

The version of Oktoberfest that is copied is the most famous Oktoberfest in Munich. But they exist all over the country, local variations of the traditions, activities, clothes and, of course, the beer that is enjoyed. The Bavarian federal state with its culture of Oktoberfest does, however, represent Germany internationally. The bigger the geographical distance, the more people expect Germans to wear Lederhosen or a Dirndl and to like beer.

One tradition is seen as representative of a whole nation and completely ignores the cultural and individual differences within the country.

Variety exists:- different sorts of beer and identities

From North to South, countries and their populations possess great cultural varieties, including their mentality and traditions, but also (for instance) language, architecture and traditional clothing are different. Who would regard all the Swedes from Malmö to Kiruna as the same? There might also be different ethnic communities within a nation, as the Sorbs in Eastern Germany, which bring yet another colour to the picture of the country. This reminds us of the fact that nations are social and political constructs and include people from different backgrounds, who may not all share the same cultural identity. But with the creation of a nation state a construction of a national identity is created as well.

Also, do not forget the individual level: humans might be, because of their personal story and life, the complete opposite of their national stereotype. It is interesting how often people are disappointed when you tell them that you are German but do not drink beer. In Australia, for instance, I was humorously called a “bad representative of Germany” when I told my colleagues, that I do not like beer. The point is: how can we allow ourselves to judge individuals based on a generalisation?

A grain of truth?

This issue exists not only in Germany, but in all countries. Ask yourself: what do you expect when you meet someone from Sweden? What comes to your mind when someone tells you they are Nigerian? The study of national stereotypes does not research whether those stereotypes are true, but rather how they are visible and what their consequences are.

This is the reason why it is important to talk about it: The worldwide generalisation of a diverse culture to beer is harmless. But in the big picture, stereotypes have the potential to end up as racism. Incidences as the holocaust show us in an ugly way what stereotypes can be misused for. The rhetoric that populist movements use these days to fuel xenophobia, are full of stereotypical prejudices. And although prejudices are not the same as discrimination, they can support them.

If we do not know something, we rely on what is common knowledge which often means stereotypes. Since these generalisations have an origin and often contain some truth, they are entirely wrong. However, we should be open to redeem the picture and replace it with reality. We start to rethink our mental stereotypes when we meet representatives from a country and we measure them, whether they fit into our image or not. And surprisingly (or not): organized Italians, talkative Finns and impolite Japanese exist.

by Nina Kolarzik

Photo Credits

Oktoberfest Festzelt, Derrick Story, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Argentinian Oktoberfest advertisement, Maria Bossa, CC BY-NC 2.0

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Beer vs. Water

Nikhil Gupta — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:09:33 +0000

Literally dying of thirst? Drink a Corona!

Now I know that’s tempting, but unfortunately science says it’ll dehydrate you further. This peculiar trade off is relevant in places like North Mexico and East Africa where it is common for people to wake up one morning and find that there isn’t fresh water to drink.

Ahogado el niño, tapando el pozo.

That’s a Mexican saying which literally translates into “trying to close the well after the child has already drowned” – trying to prevent something which in reality is “too little too late.” In Mexicali and Zaragoza, even the wells are drying up.

Through the magic of the NAFTA agreement, Constellation brands i.e. the third largest beer manufacturer in the United States (owns Corona, Modelo Especial, and Negra Modelo brands) can set up production plants in Mexico at low costs, and export beer across the border without paying tariffs. In 2015, they decided to expand their plants by spending over $2 billion in Zaragoza, Coahuila. In 2016, they focused on setting up a multi million dollar plant in Mexicali.

The problem is that Constellation Brands is exploiting water from the wells of these cities by drilling up to 500 metres deep into the ground. Needless to say, the dry Mexican climate only adds to the misery. In the case of Mexicali, its prime source of water supply comes from the Colorado river. However, being one of the most exploited rivers in North America, only 7% of the river’s flow reaches Mexico. Scientists estimate that the river’s flow will decrease by 5-20% within the next 40 years due to climate change.

Let’s do some basic math then. It takes a little over 3 litres of water to produce 1 liter of beer. In arid places that walk on fine margins, this is a big deal. According to estimates, Constellation Brands could own up to 75% of Mexicali’s water supply. And it isn’t even a case where a company privatizes water with the objective of providing water. Natural water is being dug up in order to make beer – resulting in higher profits for the company on one hand, and locals without water on the other. This caused a massive uproar among people in Mexicali that has largely been ignored by the government. The Mexicali Resiste started a Boycott Modelo campaign that resulted in confrontations between protesters and the police. The bigger picture remains unchanged.

Frustrations can be seen at a political level as well. In an interview with the Guardian, Mayor Leoncio Martínez Sánchez of the municipality of Zaragoza said that “there’s barely a drop of water when you open the tap”

Echoes

This dynamic is paralleled in other parts of the world. For instance, Nile Breweries , based around the source of the Nile river, is owned by the world’s second largest beer producer SABMiller. Similarly in Kenya, East African Breweries (EABL) is located on the banks of Ruaraka river. Surprise, surprise- EABL is owned by Diageo, the world’s biggest liquor producer.

Thus, we notice a trend. The existence of these breweries negatively impacts the water security of countries with a dry climate and a lack of structure that ensures access to safe drinking water. Lobbying efforts of major corporations have added fuel to the fire. For instance, companies in favour of privatization of water such as Nestlé and AB InBev (the world’s largest beer producer) have been partners of the World Water Week in the past. This conflict of interest is quite demoralizing as the voices of common people that are most affected by these activities are never heard.

What can we do about this? The short answer is spread awareness. Granted, alcohol is a strong enough motivator to look away, but stories of those affected need to be echoed worldwide in order to facilitate change.

What’s the way out?

It’s clear that this world can’t live without beer. Perhaps it could be possible to come up with smarter solutions instead. Perhaps the solution is not only the responsibility of the people, but also that of corporations.

In Sweden, the brewery Nya Carnegiebryggeriet, Carlsberg, and the Swedish Environmental (IVL) just launched a new pilsner called PU:REST that is brewed with recycled wastewater. It may not be the sexiest idea, but it is certainly one of the future. While this concept is still new and available only in Sweden, it serves as a stellar example of corporate social responsibility and other breweries should follow suit.

Let’s not sacrifice the basic needs of others for a cold pint.

by Nikhil Gupta

Photo Credits:

The moment a water balloon bursts with two funny water balloons, Public Domain Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0

Its my birthday! Party Woo, Sam Ilic, CC BC-NC 2-0

Child sit on cracked earth, ittipon

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The Colectiv Phenomenon

Ioana Pavel — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:08:46 +0000

You never know when your next beer is going to be your last.

Romania

On November 30, 2015, a fire erupted in a club called Colectiv in Bucharest. The cause of the fire was improperly installed pyrotechnic show during a concert by Romanian rock band Goodbye to Gravity. The fire spread within seconds as the soundproof foam used by the club wasn’t fire-resistant. Many people died because the club had only one exit and at the time it was accommodating around 400 people, much more than its official capacity. It is unclear, given these conditions, why safety inspectors had allowed the club to function at all, let alone without a fire safety permit. Over the subsequent months and years, 64 people died as a direct result of the injuries or complications associated with the injuries. The 65th person, a survivor, took his own life. The owners of the club were charged with negligent homicide, however the trial is still ongoing. In an ideal world, in an ideal country, several things would have changed in the aftermath of such a tragedy. This is the story of all the ways in which Romania is not an ideal country and one reason why it is.

People protesting in University Square on November 5th, 2015

I often say that Romanians are forced, every day of their lives, to learn how the law works. That is the only way to protect your rights. Young and old alike, educated or not, peasants and corporatists, mothers and fathers, people from all walks of life will, at one point or another, have to deal with Romanian authorities and more often than not, they are faced with injustice and misdemeanor. Since the fall of communism in 1989, everyday life has been a constant struggle. The old and disabled live on meagre pensions and allowances while watching politicians enjoy a lush life in huge properties, sometimes in exotic places abroad. Going to the overcrowded, overworked hospitals is a nightmare in the wider context of an overall shortage of critical supplies and antiquated equipment and procedures, when they are not missing altogether. Doctors and nurses alike often protest their unjustly low wages, as well as the inhuman hours they are forced to work, or just don’t simply leave the country for the incomparable conditions abroad.

Abroad

Immediately following the fire, Romanian authorities reassured the population, declaring that our hospital conditions are as good as they are abroad. It was a lie. They later recanted, rejecting blame for the infections originating in our own hospitals riddled with bacteria, which ended up killing some of the burn victims. They also failed to take blame for the improper care which was offered to the burn victims, one of which recalls having her wounds cleaned without anaesthesia, amid screams of pain, gently but insufficiently soothed by her nurse’s soft singing. Hospitals abroad have declared that such care was supposed to be offered during an induced coma, to prevent the patient from feeling the pain.

The bacteria, as well as the inhuman treatment, is still there to this day, impacting whomever is unlucky enough to acquire it or poor enough to be unable to afford private hospitals or care abroad. The appalling truth is that the government has failed to take action to change what is so repelling about Romanian hospitals, and the biggest injustice is that the Colectiv tragedy is only spoken of each time another year passes. We commemorate the dead and injured in marches which are getting smaller and smaller. We built a statue for them, may they rest in peace.

Collecting signatures for a campaign supported by several opposition parties and civic movements

When you live in a country where you’re not sure if you can go out for a beer without risking injury and death, there are several courses of action. One, taken by millions – flee west, where 3.4 million Romanians left in the past 10 years, according to Business Review. Two, isolate yourself. Pretend that politics does not touch you. Pretend that failing hospital conditions, crumblings roads and antiquated school curricula aren’t connected to a failing government. Assume that there is nothing you can do and send your kids to private schools and hospitals – if you can.

Three years down the line, there is one reason to rejoice. Small opposition parties have flourished and are fighting to bring back some sense of normality. Civic movements, such as Coruptia Ucide and the #rezist phenomenon, have grown, encouraging people to vote and become informed. Protests take place routinely. While the incumbent government is fighting to save its own skin from jail time, passing laws aimed at redefining corruption so as to flee accusations of it, people’s eyes are opening – slowly but surely. They’re in the streets despite water cannons and tear gas, despite police brutality and governmental intimidation. They’re joining grass-root political movements and parties because they realize they are no longer represented by those in power.

Much remains to be desired and much remains to be done. Far too many people choose options one or two and nobody can truly blame them. But the memory of the 65 people should never be swept under the rug, because their deaths could and should have largely been prevented. The past cannot be undone. But we can choose and we have a duty to shape the future into one where we know that going out for a beer will not end in tragedy.

by Ioana Pavel

Photos

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Witchcraft Brewery: The Dark History of Beer, Witchcraft and Gender

Merle Emrich — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:08:05 +0000

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

Beer, witchcraft and gender – it almost sounds like a game of ‘find the odd one out’ yet there is quite a strong link between the three, a link that is still relevant in today’s society. It is by no means a coincidence that the medieval witch hunts coincided with the transition from one economic system to another, nor that this process is related to the construction of the purely domestic role of women, the spectre of which still haunts us. But to understand this spectre – and eventually overcome it – we must understand where it comes from. Therefore, I invite you to a trip back in history.

While beer is as popular as ever, it is an ancient beverage, first made at least 10,000 years ago and was since then associated with women. Because, in medieval times, water was not safe to drink. People drank beer instead. Therefore, beer (which had less alcohol than contemporary beer) was an everyday product made at home… by women. Many of these women would sell their surplus of beer, and some became excellent brewsters – one of them Hildegard of Bingen, a German nun, who was the first to suggest the use of hops to improve the flavour and make the beer last longer.

But where is the connection to witchcraft? Well, we shall see…

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Between the 15th and mid-18th century an unknown number of European and North American women – for it was (and still is) mostly women – were executed as ‘witches’, the estimated numbers ranging from 60,000 to 100,000. The witch hunts did not only kill thousands of innocent women but also led to a massive roll back of women’s rights, such as there were, and shaped the world and role of women of today. Or as Silvia Federici describes it in ‘Caliban and the Witch’: ‘The outcome […] was the enslavement of women to procreation […] defining women in terms – mothers, wives, daughters, widows – that hid their status as workers.’

To understand why and how the witch hunts changed the role of women, and happened in the first place, we must examine the role of women in medieval society and some of the social processes taking place at the time. A time when feudalism began to transition into capitalism. A time when the plague killed one in three people in Europe and those of the lower social classes suddenly realised that they, due to a decimated population, were suddenly important enough to make demands. Anti-feudal, and consequently anti-proto-capitalist, resistance movements began to form which were often led by women. And women in medieval Europe already had, in addition to their new won political power, a lot of social power, namely ‘magic’.

Magic in this sense refers to “wise women’s” skills as healers, fortune tellers and midwives which made them valuable and respected members of their community. Yet, establishing capitalism with these women holding a large amount of political and social power, as well as people believing in magic, proved a difficult task. Thus, the power of women needed to be broken and magic had to be vilified.

Once women and their skills began to be demonised, the options women had in Western society were even further reduced. And whereas under feudalism your children would help you with your work and eventually, most likely, continue working in your profession, under capitalism they would be send off to work for somebody else’s profit. In such an economic system the role of women is reduced to giving birth to and raising the next generation of workers. The witch hunts played a key role in tying women to the domestic sphere and creating the image of women as ‘chaste, quite, at home, working to support the husband’.

The link between ‘witchcraft’ and the process of pushing women into an exclusively reproductive role becomes particularly evident if we look at the nature of the specific witchcraft charges, and how the image of witchcraft changed within the Church. Between the 13th and 15th century it transformed from denying the existence of witches to adopting the reverse policy. Magic was no longer associated with old pagan traditions and the valuable skills of wise women, but with demons and the Devil, and medieval inquisitors became increasingly suspicious of women falling prey to these demons which they were thought to not be able to resist due to the assumed lack of intelligence.

Not only did the icons of brewsters – a tall pointed hat to be better seen at the market, cats for chasing away mice, the cauldrons used for brewing beer, the brooms used to indicate if beer was available for sale – become symbols of witchcraft. And not only was it dangerous to be a woman with extensive knowledge about plants, which was a useful skill for brewing beer. With the help of the witch hunts, the Church propagating the role of women as being a domestic one only, and the shift from feudalism to capitalism defining the value of women to a purely reproductive role, women were pushed out of commerce. Midwifery was handed over to men. And so was brewing beer.

The discovery of hops that turned mainstream in the 16th century allowed for the commercialisation of beer brewing, as well as the enactment of purity laws. These food laws had the positive effect of outlawing often questionable, and at times even deadly, ingredients. But due to the limitation to water, barley and hops – and consequently increased production costs – brewsters who used different (harmless) ingredients were no longer able to sell their beer. This development was reinforced by the Church’s view of brewsters as temptresses who used their beer to get men drunk and spend their money, and eventually led to brewing becoming a men’s job.

When Shall We Three Meet Again?

Fortunately, the Dark Ages are over. Feminism is alive and kicking and it’s been quite some time since the last witch has been burned. At least in the Western world. And while the witch hunts were not a deliberate plot to oppress women and establish capitalism, we can still say that they proved an effective tool in suppressing rebellion and a challenging of norms. They were a byproduct of the shift from feudalism to capitalism in the process of which the role of women changed dramatically, tying them to the domestic sphere even more than before, and pushing them out of professions of healers, midwives and brewsters. It is an image of women that has left its mark on this society, reflected for example in the debate on the ‘second shift’ in the 1970s (and even today, 2018).

And what about beer? Well, beer used to be a women’s domain. With the standardisation, centralisation and commercialisation of beer production beer became a man’s world and has kept its ‘masculine identity’ until today. Gendered and more often than not sexist beer ads have labelled beer as a ‘manly’ drink. We can see this clearly reflected in the contemporary beer industry: Only 29 percent of brewery workers are women, and a mere four percent of microbreweries have a female head brewster. However, women are becoming increasingly involved in the craft beer scene. So, there is hope that we see a change towards beer becoming neither a ‘female’ beverage, nor something exclusively belonging to men, but a drink that can be produced and enjoyed by all.

by Merle Emrich

Photo Credits

Cascade hops!, Michael, Styne, CC BY-SA 2.0

Happy Halloween!, Chilly & Dull…Kinda Damp Too!, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

medieval woman next to fire, Hans Splinter, CC BY-ND 2.0

Scene from “Labors of the month August”, e-codices, CC BY-NC 2.0

“Nevertheless She Persisted…A Woman’s Place Is in the Resistance”, scattered1, CC BY-SA 2.0

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