Jozi Nights - Why I May Start Drinking Beer

Fun and fearless as I am, I’m one of those women who have always had a problem with other women drinking beer. You see, my mothers voice lives in my head; even in my sleep I can hear what she would be saying in any given instance. Through the years I managed to shut out of that voice from time to time but it has always led to disaster – like my smoking habit.

My mom is against women drinking. But the thing that horrifies her (and me) the most is the sight of a woman holding a beer bottle. There's something about brown bottles that screams shebeen, or maybe it has more to do with the fact that I grew up in a township. Although I’m not much better with my double gin and tonic in hand, I’ve always convinced myself that it’s at least not in a brown bottle.

A few weeks ago I was happy with my beer judgement when Peroni decided to invite me to two of their events. ‘I wonder what makes them think I’m a beer girl,’ was my first thought, and then I and decided to go, being the investigative journalist that I am.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon I headed to the first Peroni event – and my first polo game – with my best friend in tow. We walked into a beautifully styled marquis with beautiful girls in red dresses welcoming us in. The food was exquisite, the music perfect for a laid back Sunday afternoon and the crowd was a classy mix of trendy socialites and well-dressed corporate types. Although there were plenty of Peroni bottles all over the room, at no point did it feel like a rugby-match-type occasion. ‘Maybe beer isn’t always so manly and gross,’ I whispered to my friend.

A few days later, it was Phuza Thursday and perfect for a girls night out. Every last Thursday of the month, Jo’burg is graced with Analogue Nites – a mixture of live entertainment and hot DJs on the decks. These nights are for a slightly older crowd, post graduate with no intention of acting the fool and no need to baby sit their best friends. This was the scene for the second Peroni party.

Dressed in pumps and excitement at the thought of a 340ml performance and a few mixes by DJ Kenzhero, I began wondering if my prejudice against beer wasn't a bit old fashioned, and frankly unfair. With these recent events, Peroni is on a mission to personify style, class and a fun attitude. And clearly it's working. It's got an anti-beer girl like me changing my perceptions. Who knows, maybe next time you’ll spot me holding a green bottle, if I can find that mute button on my mother’s voice.

Author: Zama Nkosi