Upset Hindus have urged Leuven (Belgium) headquartered Anheuser-Busch InBev, “largest brewer in the world”, to change the name of its popular “Brahma” beer, calling it highly inappropriate.
Creator god Lord Brahma was highly revered in Hinduism, and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be misused as a “toasting” tool or selling beer for mercantile greed; Hindu statesman Rajan Zed stated in Nevada (USA) today.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that in Hinduism; Lord Brahma, along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva; formed the great triad of Hindu deities. Linking Lord Brahma with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful.
Anheuser-Busch InBev should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees, Rajan Zed indicated.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed noted.
Moreover, the sacredness attached to Lord Brahma did not go well with raunchy commercials and ads of “Brahma” beer, Rajan Zed said. Hollywood celebrities Megan Fox and Jennifer Lopez have reportedly acted in “Brahma” beer commercials.
What happened to the Anheuser-Busch InBev’s “Responsible Marketing Code” of “be sensitive to cultural differences”, claims of creating “a community that inspires, respects & includes one another”, and whose “Dream” is “to bring people together for a better world”? Zed asked.
Portfolio of Anheuser-Busch InBev, a publicly traded company, includes over 500 beer brands like Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, Beck’s, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Michelob, Ultra, etc. One of the world’s top consumer product companies, it claims a heritage of over 600 years and its reported revenue in 2019 was 52.3 billion USD. Carlos Brito is the Chief Executive Officer.
“Brahma” was created by Swiss immigrant Joseph Villager in Brazil in 1888. Brahma family of beers, "known throughout Brazil: beer number 1", has eight beer options; including Chopp, Double Malt, Weiss, Red Lager, Lager, Chopp Claro, Chopp Black, Malzbier.
Buffalo breweries apologize & discontinue Hindu god beer within hours of Hindu protest
Buffalo (New York) based breweries— Pressure Drop Brewing and Big Ditch Brewing Company—apologized and discontinued their collaboration beer “Aqua Shiva” named after Hindu deity; within few hours of Hindu protest, who had called it “highly inappropriate”.
Matt Kahn, President & Co-Founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company, in a “joint response” email to Hindu statesman Rajan Zed (who spearheaded the protest), wrote: We very recently became aware that our collaborative beer, Aqua Shiva, was offensive to Hindus. We deeply apologize to the Hindu community for this poor choice of our beer name and artwork. We simply did not put enough time into thinking about this beer name and artwork and what the use of the name Shiva means to the Hindu community. This beer is discontinued and will never be made again…
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention, as we will learn from it. Again, we deeply apologize to you and to the Hindu community; we meant no harm; Kahn added.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada today, thanked Pressure Drop Brewing and Big Ditch Brewing Company for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which thought that placing image of Lord Shiva on a beer can was quite insensitive.
Rajan Zed suggested that companies should send their senior executives for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they had an understanding of the feelings of customers and communities when introducing new products or launching advertising campaigns.
Zed had said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or deities or concepts or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Rajan Zed had indicated that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in a re-imagined version for pushing beer or to adorn beer cans. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Breweries should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of divine Hindu deity to be displayed on a beer can, Zed had emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled; Rajan Zed had noted.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
“Aqua Shiva” (8.5% ABV), both on tap and in cans, was described as “a hazy NE-style double IPA…with strong citrus, passion fruit and pineapple flavor and aroma, with a touch of underlying dank and a soft mouthfeel”.
Awards-winning Pressure Drop Brewing, opened 2017, claims to be a “West coast inspired brewery”; and Karl Kolbe is its CEO and Head Brewer. Big Ditch Brewing Company, a craft beer microbrewery opened in 2014 and whose tagline is “The spirit of the Erie Canal”; claims that its “beers are innovative, flavorful and drinkable…glass after glass”.
Upset Hindus urge Ukraine brewery to withdraw “Kali F*ckin” beer & apologize
Upset Hindus are urging Brovary (Ukraine) based Reformation Brewery to apologize and withdraw its beer “Kali F*ckin IPA” named after Hindu goddess, calling it highly inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or deities or concepts or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and she was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in a re-imagined version for pushing beer. Moreover, associating words like “F*ckin” with a deity and linking it with an alcoholic beverage was very insensitive, Zed added.
Breweries should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of divine Hindu deity to be placed in such a manner, Rajan Zed emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed noted.
Goddess Kali, who personifies Sakti or divine energy, is widely worshipped in Hinduism. She is considered the goddess of time and change. Some Bengali poets described her as supreme deity.
“Kali F*ckin IPA” (ABV 6.4, OG 15%, IBU 60) was described as: “an American-style IPA with a bright aroma of tropical fruits, grapefruit and lime. It will satisfy the most demanding hopheads and will not leave anyone indifferent”.
Reformation Brewery in Brovary, eastern suburb of Ukraine's capital Kiev, whose tagline is “Drink. Think. Enjoy.”, was started in 2014.
Spain brewers association apologizes & recalls poster trivializing Lord Ganesh after Hindu protest
Association of Spanish Home Brewers (ACCE) has apologized and recalled the poster carrying image of Hindu deity Lord Ganesh to promote its “IPA Day 2020” event to be held in Burgos (Spain) on September 19; which protesting Hindus had called “highly inappropriate”.
Manuel Jim., ACCE (Asociación de Cerveceros Caseros Españoles) Secretary, in an email to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed (who spearheaded the protest), wrote: We apologize, from the heart, for any inconvenience we may have caused. We never wanted to hurt any religious worship and we will recall all the IpaDay advertisements according to your indications. Of course, we will stop using this religious image from now to the future, and we will not use it again in any of our initiatives.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked ACCE for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which thought that such image of Lord Ganesh promoting a beer event was quite out-of-line.
Rajan Zed suggested that associations and companies should send their senior executives for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they had an understanding of the feelings of communities and customers when launching advertising campaigns or introducing new products.
Zed had said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or deities or concepts or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Rajan Zed had indicated that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in a re-imagined version for pushing a beer event. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very insensitive, Zed added.
Brewer associations should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply disrespectful of divine Hindu deity to be displayed on a poster promoting beer event with hops covering his head, beer mixing stirrer paddle in one hand and Erlenmyer flask presumably carrying yeast starter in another hand; Zed had emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed had noted.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Non-profit ACCE, founded in 2009 and headquartered in La Palma (Murcia, Spain), is Spain’s national association of brewers united by “love of making beer at home”.
ACCE has reportedly proposed several beer related activities and contests at this “India Pale Ale Day 2020”, including a contest of selfie photographs.
Details of the pictures attached:
- Original “IPA Day 2020” poster
- Revised “IPA Day 2020” poster after Hindu protest
Hindus urge France distillery to withdraw Lord Ganesh gin & apologize
Hindus are urging La Bouëxière (Brittany, France) based Distillerie Awen Nature to apologize and withdraw its Gin Ganesh, named after Hindu deity; calling it highly inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or deities or concepts or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used for pushing gin or to adorn gin bottles. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Distilleries should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of divine Hindu deity to be displayed on a gin bottle, Rajan Zed emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed noted.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Gin Ganesh (70CL, 44.8%); stated to be aged in French oak barrels and matured in armagnac barrels; contains juniper berries, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cloves, etc.; and was priced at € 42.
Awards-winning Distillerie Awen Nature claims that its spirits are made from distilled organic alcohol and flavored with plants; and its products are certified organic. It sells absinthes, cognacs, gins, rums, vodkas, etc.; in various bars, organic stores and restaurants in Châteaubriant, Chateaugiron, Paris, Rennes, Soulvache, etc.
Hindus urge France brewery to withdraw Lord Shiva beer & apologize
Hindus are urging Grenade sur Garonne (Occitanie, France) based brewery Brasserie du Gobelet to apologize and withdraw its “Shiva beer” named after Hindu deity and displaying his image; calling it highly inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu symbols or deities or concepts or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used for pushing beer or to adorn beer bottles, etc. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Breweries should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of divine Hindu deity to be displayed on a beer bottle, etc.; Rajan Zed emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed noted.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.
“Shiva beer” (5.4% Vol, IPA) was described as “Hoppy beer”. The Brasserie du Gobelet (Occitanie Craft Beer); created in 2018 and whose tagline is “Taste, enjoy, be delighted!”; claims to produce beers “that are simple, tasty, aromatic …”
31 May 2021
Upset Hindus urge Brazil firm to withdraw Lord Ganesha beer growlers & apologize
Upset Hindus are urging Curitiba (Paraná, Brazil) based Siphon Growlers to apologize and withdraw beer growlers displaying images of Lord Ganesha and sacred Om, calling these highly inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used as a beer container/carrier. Moreover, linking a deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Hugely venerated Om was the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism was used to introduce and conclude religious work. Usually considered the most powerful mantra in Hinduism, Om had been equated with brahman, isvara, atman, etc.; Rajan Zed noted.
Growler companies should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of immensely venerated Hindu deity Lord Ganesha and sacred Om to be portrayed on a beer growler, Zed emphasized.
Rajan Zed further said that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled.
Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed stated.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as God of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Objectionable Ganesha ceramic and glass growlers were priced from BRL 98.60 to R$ 144.55 at Simon Growlers, which sells growlers and accessories and claims “largest variety of growlers”. English translation of its website states: "Our Ganesha Black ceramic growler is specially designed for the transport and storage of fresh craft beer and can be taken anywhere conveniently and easily... keeps the beer at the ideal temperature and prevents damage caused by light”.
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