What's up with beer and metal?

I didn't know there was a correlation...are you in Washington state or DC? Maybe it's a regional thing

 

I 100%, totally agree with you draheim! I have mentioned to other fellow BAs before. It seems in some way, death metal and craft beer, especially ridiculously high ABV stuff just go hand in hand. I don't know if you have ever heard of or been to Kuma's Corner in Chicago, but it is a burger bar the embraces this idea fully! I walked in and got back to back a 3 Floyd's Imperial IPA and an Imperial Stout. I was then served a burger called the Slayer burger that had a ketchup pentagram drawn on the bun. There were skulls and melted candles on the shelf behind the bar and this was playing as I ate and drank! I kid you not about these details!!!

 

Extremes: bigger, faster, louder, bolder.

 

I don't get it either.

 

Most likely the link, if any, is that metalheads like beer. But since there are lots of people who like craft beer but don't like metal it doesn't seem to go both ways. As for labels, there's lots of other themes that also show up in labels if we look for them.

Edit: Look at Russian River beers. Pretty religious, moral or ethical dilemma type language there (Redemption, Salvation, Temptation, etc.) but the images are all old fashioned farm implements.

 

The "craft beer scene"...is associated with pretty much everything.

Because "the scene" is not a scene.

 

That.




Cheers

 

Packaged beer, the connection probably lies a little in the fact that there is a definite aesthetic to metal that breweries can play off pretty easily. Psychedelic music has a definite aesthetic too (and there are definitely psych inspired beers, like Long Strange Trippel) but not sure other styles of music have such a visual aesthetic to them. Bands can (like the Grateful Dead and their skull or dancing bear) but style as a whole? What kind of visuals do you associate with punk? or grunge? or bluegrass?

As for the whole operation, specifically the on site environment, I have been to more places that invite music into their identity that are not metal than are, personally. Many times I wish they could be more metal.

 

This and the whole counter culture. although both seem to be leeching in to the mainstream.....

ugh and that was my most "hipster" thing i ever thought or typed..it wont happen again.

 

I understand where you're coming from, but I'm not sure I see the connection, honestly. The only two (well known) breweries that associate themselves strongly with metal that come immediately to mind for me are 3 Floyds and Surly (off the top of my head). Both make great beer, so I'm not terribly concerned with their musical or cultural tastes (not implying that you particularly are either!). Also, 3 Floyds has some of the best labels in the business (not a huge fan of metal myself (I dabble a bit from time to time), but I do love the D&D, dark, fantasy inspired imagery).

 

Beer geeks and metal heads both have the 'big beard' stereotype. However, none of my friends who are metal fans are craft beer drinkers.

 

"Hipster" or not, such things happen. Problem is identifying in advance which will affect mainstream culture and which will simply be left by the wayside.

BTW, what is a "hipster?"

 

People in metal bands drink beer and break shit. I'm guessing when the band breaks up you need to build a living off of one of those other two talents.

 

Not sure but i'm way cool with it! I'm very into metal (although not so much "death" metal, as you put it.) and i also love beer.

With that, however, maybe 5 out of 100 customers buying craft beer are metal heads

 

Been a fan of "craft" beer since 1985, never been a fan of "metal." No correlation for me.

 

Generally speaking, I think it's because niche interests are often correlated with each other. Both craft beer and the underground metal scene are about digging deeper to find hidden gems, appreciating complexity, diversity and uniqueness. They're both about defying the mainstream, being hip and cult, (or "trve kvlt" if you're a fellow metalhead) and settling yourself into a culture of rabid fandom.

Also, more specifically, most metalheads like beer, so it's only natural that a huge percentage of us wander into better beer territory. In fact, it was a fellow metalhead friend that inadvertently sparked my own interest in craft beer.

 

Hmmm. Building a living off of beer drinking talent? Now that would be ideal. Any suggestions for how that might be done???

 

In a nut shell, this was going to be my response, just not as colorful.