The Bar Towel

While I get the sincerity of what is being said, I really think the conversation should be more about putting stupid stuff in beer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/peanut-al ... -1.7161997

And if it's about respect for people with allergies, then it's also time to pile onto brewers using lactose. Especially those that don't clearly label. Plenty of people have no idea they might be consuming that when trying the latest novelty beer.

Lactose is an intolerance, not an allergy. Allergies can be deadly, intolerances just mean you're in for an unpleasant time.

NOW THAT SAID...

1) I wholeheartedly agree the backlash on this beer is bullshit, and people just need to put their big boy/girl/gender neutral pants on and stop sucking so much (in general, not just to this specific issue)
AND
2) Can we please put "lactose" on the cans so I don't shit myself??

It strikes me that there are three different issues here.

1) Putting stupid stuff in beer. Not much to discuss in my opinion. If someone wants to make a chocolate mint stout with vanilla and jalapeno peppers, who I am I to say they shouldn't. Of course, I may not buy it.

2) Labelling beer with all the ingredients. This is important, whether for allergies, intolerances, or just because I want to know.

3) The name of the beer in this article getting the backlash. I get what you're saying Matt, that sometime society is a little too sensitive, but I don't agree with you on this one. This name is inappropriate, especially since the beer has peanuts in it. There are some good arguments in the article.

Elsewhere on this forum people have cited the novelty factor - people want to drink beers that are new to them. We can expect to continue to see stunt beers with non-Reinheitsgebot ingredient lists.

I fall on the side of those who think we need more humour and less condemnation. This is sounding like the ancient Smashbomb episode.

Am I the only one who thinks the beer name is smart?
Anyone who does have serious allergies will be cautious with a beer named Epi-Pen to make sure it doesn't contain ingredients they are allergic to.
If it was named something generic like Happy Bear the risk of someone inadvertently buying it could increase.
Maybe they should do a whole series of Epi Pen beers with different allergens...?


I am all for ingredients on labels too...it's been interesting seeing many non-alcoholic beers I've had lately listing all their ingredients.