Following up on a story we discussed last May, tomorrow's edition of The Independent tells the sad tale of how both BrewDog and the Orkney Brewery, makers of Skull Splitter, have had a ruling made against them by the shadowy Portman Group - described by The Independent as a self-regulating industry body. Which sounds a lot like another way of saying their competition. Their larger duller competition.
It decided Rip Tide's description as a "twisted merciless stout" would be associated with antisocial behaviour, while the claim that Hop Rocker was a "nourishing foodstuff" and that "magic is still there to be extracted" implied that it would enhance physical and mental capabilities.
The wisdom did not stop there. Apparently, Orkney's Skull Splitter "was associated with violence and also could be a reference to its effect on the drinker's head." However silly, these macro-saft makers with gavels actually have the power of persuasion and can use that power to affect the marketplace they and their powerless competition work within. Can you see a problem with that? Orkney has issued a press release that says this turn of fate may lead to the brand being pulled even though it is a former Champion Winter Ale of Britain. The BBC has more on the Skull Splitter story.
BrewDog is taking the even higher moral ground by calling for the shadowy Portman Group to be scrapped, according to this story. James Watt, managing director of BrewDog is quoted as saying '"[i]t is alarming that an unelected, unrepresentative industry cartel can simply crush the foundations on which our democracy is built." Can I have an amen? I believe reference to the Declaration of Arbroath is of comfort to we Scots in moments like this.
Full disclosure: James Watt writes me emails once in a while, is named after my Dad's hometown's favorite son and is giving prizes for the photo contest. And I like him and his company more than the shadowy Portman Group.
Comments
Knut Albert - November 18, 2008 6:26 AM
This is absolute rubbish. They would not dare to stop the marketing of the multinational lager affectionately known as Wifebeater, would they? In a country where cut prize lager and mediocre beers where the word STRONG is the most prominent feature of the can, they pick on two small craft brewers.
If this was being done by a public body, they could not have operated like the Portman Group does.
If those "rulings" are upheald, I really hope there are free speech organisations who'll back taking this to the courts. And in addition this is in violation of all the principles of free trade embedded in both UK and European legislation.
Knut Albert - November 18, 2008 6:29 AM
Oh yes, declaration of interest from me, too:
I have received several bottles of beer from James Watt. I would not accept any beverage sponsored by the Portman Group.
Paul Garrard - November 18, 2008 9:00 AM
This is all far too ridiculous but unfortunately very real. Shepherd Neame can get away with their distasteful ads which are far more offensive than Brewdog or Skullsplitter combined. Next we'll be burning witches at the stake again.
Alan - November 18, 2008 9:11 AM
How about a boycott of vendors who buckle to the shadowy Portman Group?
And I may well have taken ad money from its members one way or another. Don't care.
Alan - January 2, 2009 10:08 AM
Skull Splitter saved from the shadowy Portman Group.