Beer banned in U.K. because of high alcohol content and promotion of excess
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
Less than a month after the Christian Action League reported on several U.S. states loosening their limits to allow for sales of super strong beers, the United Kingdom has banned an 18 percent alcohol brew for “promoting excess drinking.”
Meanwhile in the U.S., the maker of Samuel Adams beer has released its biennial brand, Utopias, with an alcohol content of 27 percent, more than five times the typical drink.
“Fortunately, North Carolina is one of 13 states where the sale of Utopias is prohibited as it exceeds the 15 percent alcohol limit for malt beverages,” said the Rev. Mark Creech. “But this just goes to show that the industry knows no limits. The alcohol content will keep going up and the push for raising the limits will continue. North Carolina should have never approved the “Pop the Cap” measure in 2005 raising the limit from 6 percent alcohol by volume to 15 percent.”
Tokyo Beer, made by BrewDog, is the one banned in Great Britain after health organizations objected to the high alcohol content and the bottle’s label, which reads: “Everything in moderation, including moderation itself. What logically follows is that you must, from time to time, have excess. This beer is for those times.”
”Constantly we have heard from these brewers of higher alcohol content beers that their products are like a fine wine. It’s for the connoisseurs of beer who prefer sipping and not indulging in excess, they say. The banning of this brew in Great Britain tells us otherwise. What’s more, if we think young people don’t use these beers for excess, we’re all extremely naive” said Rev. Creech.
Alcohol watchdog, the Portman Group is issuing a bulletin asking retailers to stop Tokyo beer sales until the company changes its marketing tactic and stops urging consumers to overindulge, which in the U.K. is essentially the same as banning the brew.
Though higher in alcohol content, the Samuel Adams special brew probably won’t become as popular as it carries a significantly higher price tag than most beers at $150 per bottle. Brewers say in states where it is legal it should be consumed like champagne.
“We don’t doubt that the price will keep this out of the hands of many, however the high alcohol content pushes the envelope for beer and encourages other super strong brews that will come in at 15 percent or just below and wind up on shelves in North Carolina,” the Rev. Creech said. “Since “Pop the Cap”, all we can do is warn folks who choose to drink that they should check the label and know what they’re drinking for safety’s sake.”
Read Related Story: Health Experts Warn Against Lifting the Alcohol Limit on Beer