In a category where even the serious products have names like “Tramp Stamp” and “Arrogant Bastard” it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that novelty craft beer brands have begun to appear.
The latest to come to our attention is Ethel’s Brew, a Brooklyn-based beer company whose tagline is “go out with a bang.”
The lady supposedly behind it all (we have yet to confirm the actual identity) is an 88 year-old Brooklyn native, Ethel Goldschmidt, who, promotional materials indicate, is fulfilling her dream of owning a beer company. The company’s mission is to “build a portfolio of authentic, craft ales for local and international enjoyment.”
Their marketing however speaks otherwise. The company’s website features an age-gated landing page splashed with the image of an elderly woman’s posterior in a pink thong. Their beer labels scream “gag-gift” and they even suggest making a beer-cocktail called the “Saggy Tit.” To top it off, it appears as if the brand’s approach to social networking has been to spam celebrity twitter pages with cheeky jokes and links to youtube videos.
Authentic? You decide. Below is the complete press release with links to the company website, facebook and twitter pages. And remember, at least it isn’t being served in a bottle that literally just came back from the taxidermist — as Brewdog once provided. Although, who knows, it’s possible that Ethel might be visiting the same kind of shop in the near future.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – We are pleased to announce the launch of a new beer, “Ethel’s Brew,” created by a sassy 88-year-old woman whose days are numbered, but whose quips most certainly are not. Ethel Goldschmidt, married at the age of 20, has never had the chance to let loose. Now that she has started her own beer company, she is letting it all hang out and wants to “go out with a bang,” figuratively speaking, that is.
Ethel’s Brew is named for Ethel Goldschmidt, who happened upon Oktoberfest with her late husband in the 1950’s. While there, her husband, Burt, fell in love with beer and with the idea of opening his own brewery one day. After the much-beloved Burt passed, leaving her a small fortune, Ethel decided at the ripe old age of 88 that she wanted to live life to the fullest. Shortly thereafter, she started brewing the namesake beer and is having the time of her life doing so. Its bold vintage label design captures Ethel’s unique personality by depicting her alongside the distinctive necker jovially stating, “I make a mean bundt cake too.”
“It’s not about being blonde or brunette,” Ethel said. “The girls who have more fun are the ones with my beer. I’m very excited to finally bring my late husband’s dream to life and to start my own beer company.”
Ethel’s Brew
Ethel’s Brew — a clean, smooth, European-style busty blonde brewed with three different types of malt, is produced from French barley and several varieties of hops. With golden highlights, fruity notes, a slightly bitter finish, and an ABV of 6%, this barley-scented brew glistens with just the right amount of head. Ethel’s Brew has a refreshing tang that makes it an excellent summer beer that is thirst-quenching for times when you’re breaking a sweat. Its packaging pays homage to its namesake and beer enthusiast Ethel Goldschmidt, and it boasts a brazen summertime gusto for both the young and the old (particularly the old who want to feel young).
“Ethel’s Brew, a summery and busty blonde, is the first product in Ethel’s expanding family of ales,” said Seth Goldschmidt, Ethel’s Brew Head of Marketing, and grandson to the founder. “Ethel’s Brew is the first beer made by the company, and is named after my grandma. It’s brewed in the style of the kolsch German ale. Our family is excited about the company launch and the prospect of ultimately expanding our line of beers to include a classic west coast IPA or a foreign-style stout.”
Ethel’s Brew will be available in 12 oz. bottles in participating pubs/bars beginning mid-June. You can stay updated on all Ethel’s Brew news and giveaways by “Liking” their page at Facebook.com/ethelsbrew or by following @ethelsbrew on Twitter. For more information, please visit the company website, http://www.ethelsbrew.com.
About Ethel’s Brew:
A 61-year dream and a windfall legacy drove dynamic 88-year-old widow Ethel Margaret Goldschmidt to found a family-owned operation that embodies her late husband Burt’s passion for developing premium beer. Inspired by a 1951 vacation to Oktoberfest in Germany, Ethel’s Brew was born and given life in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY, this year. At the heart of Ethel’s Brew is a mission to build a portfolio of authentic, craft ales for local and international enjoyment. The company is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY ,where Ethel heads up the company’s efforts alongside grandson Seth Goldschmidt and daughter Suzie Goldschmidt. For more information please visit our website: www.ethelsbrew.com.