If you want to see just how much the world has got its panties into a bunch about alcohol, read this article about the UK’s ultra-hyped Brewdog brewery. Now, it’s true that Brewdog actively court controversy as a means of seeking free exposure and goes out of its way to do so, but comments such as this from campaign group Alcohol Focus Scotland show that the anti-alcohol lobby has no sense of moderation either…
“It is a product with a lot of alcohol in it, that's all. To dress it up as anything else is cynical.”
And this one…
“We want to know why a brewer would produce a beer almost as strong as whisky.”
The brewery itself says the beer, called Tactical Nuclear Penguin, should be drunk in "spirit sized measures".
A warning on the label states: "This is an extremely strong beer; it should be enjoyed in small servings and with an air of aristocratic nonchalance. In exactly the same manner that you would enjoy a fine whisky, a Frank Zappa album or a visit from a friendly yet anxious ghost."
Of course, launching it on the same day as the Scottish government's Alcohol Bill which includes proposals for minimum pricing on drink was introduced is both inspired and incredibly cynical marketing which, while great for Brewdog’s business, does little to take the heat out of the debate about alcohol.