Brewers Make Pink Beer for ‘Barbie’
The craft beer world did not escape Barbie’s massive marketing spread. Of course it didn’t.
Brewers across North America are made pink beer for the new Barbie movie, which should come as no surprise. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie dominated the box office this weekend with a $155 million opening, compared to Oppenheimer‘s $80 million. Together, the two hits shattered expectations and resulted in many people referring to the weekend as “Barbienheimer,” but it’s not like we’re seeing a ton of craft brewers eagerly fermenting atomic bomb-themed beers in honor of Christopher Nolan’s drama. On just about every industry front, Barbie is the clear winner.
Bomb-themed beers would likely be in poor taste, after all (though they have been done before). But Barbie-themed brews? Now that’s fun! And it’s a big reason of why the film’s pink-soaked marketing has been so successful. Although Barbie‘s full marketing spend has not yet been announced, the general consensus is that the advertising team was given a huge budget and free rein to do pretty much whatever they wanted.
Naturally, Barbie’s massive marketing has had a ripple effect on other industries. Seeing as the beer world has long displayed a pop culture obsession, it was only a matter of time before Barbie strutted her way onto the brewing floor. From Barbie-inspired beer names to suds that actually pour pink, there have been ample opportunities for brewers to get creative. And it’s not just the beer itself that’s been sucked into Barbieland. This Barbie-inspired beer koozie on Etsy is a prime example of how the industry as a whole is capitalizing wherever it can.
Of course, it’s not like this is anything to be upset about. The new Barbie movie is tons of fun and more adult-oriented than it may seem on the surface. Barbie and Ken aren’t going out and getting sloshed, but the themes in this flick are ones that grown adults will definitely connect to more than younger moviegoers. As if craft brewers really need an excuse to create Barbie-pink beer, that’ll do just fine.
5 ‘Barbie beers’
Not all of these beers were necessarily brewed to align with the Barbie movie release. But their availability this past weekend can be said to be more than coincidental.
Barbie – Thimble Island Brewing Co.
Fruited Sour / 5% ABV / Thimble Island Brewing Co. – Branford, CT
This Barbie isn’t a one-off, random release by Connecticut’s Thimble Island — she’s the latest addition to their summery Sour Siren series. Fermentation with strawberries and rhubarb creates a nice tangy tartness punctuated with subtle notes of sweet fruit. The illustration on the can sure looks an awful lot like Margot Robbie, but that could just be our imaginations running wild.
Montrosé – 8th Wonder Brewery
Rosé-style Sour / 3.3% ABV / 8th Wonder Brewery – Houston, TX
Houston’s 8th Wonder is a triple threat as a micro brewery, distillery and cannabis dispensary. Inspired by — you guessed it — the dry and fruit-forward flavors of rosé, this easygoing brew is refreshing and only lightly tart. The brewers say it was brewed for The Montrose Center, an LGBTQ-focused non-profit, but it makes this list because the local news picked it up as a perfect beer pairing for Barbie. Beer-Flicks agrees with you, ABC 13.
Her Dream House – Evil Genius
Pink Raspberry Glitter Beer / 5.5% ABV / Evil Genius Beer Co. – Philadelphia, PA
If names like I Love Lamp Hefeweizen or I’ll Have What She’s Having Stout are any indicator, Philly’s Evil Genius has long been movie-oriented with its beer names. But this one isn’t so much as a quote as an actual embodiment of everything Barbie is about. Just check out that shimmery, pink glitter that’s made of dreams:
Dreamhouse Not Included – Alloy Brewing Co.
Double dry-hopped NEIPA / 7.4% ABV / Alloy Brewing Co. – Coon Rapids, MN
Full disclosure — the writer of this article never had a dream house, but she did have a couple of Barbies who lived in various shacks and occasional castles constructed from books, cardboard and whatever else was around when said Barbies craved shelter. Perhaps that’s what makes this hazy IPA is so appealing. That, and the extra helpings of NewZilla and Experimental 158 “the Ocho” hops! For the unfamiliar, this is a recipe you’re not likely to see become common anytime soon. Embrace the innovation and give it a try if you’re in the Coon Rapids area.
Barbie Girl – Streetside Brewery
Fruit Beer / 4% ABV / Streetside Brewery – Cincinnati, OH
“I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie woooorld…” We all know the lyrics, though tragically, this famous ’90s song is not in the Barbie movie (apparently because Mattel sued Aqua over the song back in the day). Originally brewed as part of Streetside Brewery’s One Hit Wonders series, this beer was brought back just in time for Barbie to land in theaters. Brewed with strawberry and mango, Barbie Girl tastes as bright as the movie’s Barbieland, and it’s just as pink.
Want more pink and fun? Check out these sour beer slushies paired with Mean Girls.
