Beer Commercials

This is something that sticks in my craw, and has for a long time. Before I start firing up this rant, I might as well come clean that I don’t drink beer or other alcoholic beverages (though I did sample back when I was a callow youth), so I’m definitely not the person these sorts of ads are targeted for. Disclaimer off.

I’ve enjoyed many a beer commercial over the decades. The Clydesdales…? Always great. The Swedish Bikini Team? Of dubious taste, but acceptable. Spuds McKenzie? Well…you lost me with Spuds (I love dogs, but I’m not a fan of bull terriers).

What really irks me are not these entertaining ads. What gets me are the ads that promote this cult of lager-induced delirium that the only important thing in life is getting the next beer. Who thought this pro-alcoholic message was appropriate. Office workers going berserk because some low-level drone hides beer in the office? Ugh. Cedric getting married over-and-over again just to score some free suds? Puleeze. A pilot jumping out of a perfectly working aircraft just because someone tossed a six-pack overboard? Blech.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. It doesn’t take much effort to notice it…go on, try it.

Now, I’m not suggesting any sort of censorship or anything (other than the self- kind from some of the companies/advertisers). It’s just something that I know is going to annoy me when I’m watching tonight’s NCAA championship between Maryland and Duke, and I needed to get it off my chest.

….better.