I spend most of my space in this column talking about the glories of craft beer and brewing. There is so much good stuff going on that I can't possibly cover it all in 52 columns a year, so I don't like to waste much time, space and energy on negative aspects.

But every once in a while, I feel the need to point something out that no one else has (that I've seen, anyway). In today's case, it's a negative thing, but one I feel needs to be discussed.

I realize, even before I write the following words, that the coterie of folks who rarely miss an opportunity to bash me, will be howling at this one and taking me to task in any number of ways. I'd prefer it if they would simply leave the ad hominem attacks (one once wrote "Is the Beer Nut nuts?" about one of my more controversial columns) and discuss the topic like reasonable people.

So here it is: craft brewing still has a whiff of sexism that has been a trademark of big industrial beer makers for years.

Now before the blogosphere gets its knickers in a twist, let me explain. I'm not saying most people in craft brewing are sexist, nor am I saying the industry as a whole is consciously exploiting women. What I'm saying is that there still is a hint of the idea that it's OK to use women as sex objects in advertising and labels.

I realize I'm a bit older than many, and I didn't get caught up in the crowd of younger guys who took the film "Swingers" as their guiding light as far as their lifestyles. I also am not a prude and understand some women gain a lot of power through their sexuality. I'm not talking about them.

What I'm asking is this: Is it OK to sell or advertise a product that has nothing to do with a woman's body by using an attractive woman's body in the ad or on its labeling?

Just by way of example, let me cite two cases. I love both these beers and the breweries that make them. I just don't know why the equivalent of a Vargas girl is on the label of both: Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' (and the correlation with the name is pretty clear here) and Haverhill Brewery's Leatherlips IPA. These are hardly the worst offenders, but I list them because I actually like these beers a lot.

People roll their eyes at Budweiser ads that blatantly shove heaving bosoms across the TV screen. While the two cases above are much more subtle, they still operate on the same principle: Women and their bodies are fair game for objectification when it comes to ads and marketing. Again, let me make it clear: I love both these beers and breweries. I'm just citing them as examples. Other, more extreme, examples include: Nimbus Dirty Guera, Clown Shoes Brown Angel, and maybe the worst offender Coney Island Sword Swallower Steel Hop Lager.

I also still note plenty of sexist remarks and language on various online forums where beer is discussed. This isn't true of most of the contributors, but there is too much for my liking. Of course, any such talk is too much for my liking.

I know people will think I'm being overly politically correct here, but I'm not. I'm speaking from the heart, and I know I'm speaking for a lot of women I know. They just don't have a beer column to say it in, so I'm doing it for them.

Beer drinking has long been a boys' club. That has changed drastically for the better during the craft beer revolution and for that we should be proud. But the industry and market is still dominated by men.

When it comes to beer labels and ads, let's stick to monks, dogs, and gargoyles. I like attractive women as much as anyone, but I don't need them to try and market beer to me.

Oh, and one last thing: Yeah, I know: it's "art." That's cool. I'm not trying to censor anyone. I'm a reporter for Pete's sake. I'm just asking for people to think about it.

So think about it. Thanks for reading.