Those Beer Ads Aimed at Women

As an executive with Anheuser-Busch, and as a woman, I was very disturbed by the article “Brewers Raise Glass to New Pals--Women” (March 24), which treated as credible the ridiculous assertion that beer ads designed for women will somehow cause abusive drinking among women.

To suggest that women are incapable of making the responsible decisions is not only condescending, but insulting.

When a company such as Anheuser-Busch develops an advertising campaign that features women in a positive way, only those with some larger agenda would criticize the initiative. The advertising your article examined is legitimate, responsible and entertaining, and it is directed at legitimate, legal consumers. Women drink beer, eat snacks, drive cars and wear clothes, and they have a right to see advertising that speaks directly to them about the available brand choices.

FRANCINE I. KATZ

St. Louis, Mo.

The writer is director of consumer awareness and education at Anheuser-Busch Cos.