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Shelton Brothers Challenge Maine Censorship of Artistic Beer Labels
PORTLAND—Today, the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation filed a case against government censorship. The MCLU represents Daniel Shelton, a specialty beer distributor who was refused permission to sell three beers because the State deemed their labels “undignified or improper.” One beer features Santa Claus on its label, while another features a well known French painting.
“These illustrations have been used on beer sold across the country,” said Shelton, who works with small craft-breweries around the world. “I can’t imagine why Maine would object to Santa Claus.”
Maine law requires beer and liquor distributors to obtain a Certificate of Approval and to register the labels with the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. The Bureau ensures that labels are factually accurate—displaying the correct ingredients and the proper volume, for example. The Bureau also polices the illustrations used on the labels. That raises First Amendment concerns because those illustrations have expressive value distinct from the beer they advertise.
The labels at issue are each entitled to First Amendment protection: “Santa’s Butt Winter Porter” is illustrated with Santa Claus sitting on a large barrel (also called a “butt”), and humor is a protected form of expression; “Les Sans Culottes” is illustrated with a detail from Eugene Delacroix’s painting “Liberty Leading the People,” which hangs in the Louvre and was used on France’s 100 Franc note; “Rose de Gambrinus” is illustrated with a watercolor painting that was specifically commissioned by the Belgian brewery that produces it. The labels for “Les Sans Culottes” and “Rose de Gambrinus” do feature paintings of bare-breasted women, but the paintings are artistic renderings no more salacious than what is commonly seen in art museums.
“There is no good reason for the State to censor art, even art found on a beer label. Artistic expression is entitled to the highest level of protection under the First Amendment.” said Zachary Heiden, MCLU Staff Attorney and lead counsel for Mr. Shelton. Mr. Shelton is also represented by MCLU Legal Panel Chair Richard O’Meara, of Murray Plumb and Murray.
Under the Twenty-First Amendment, which repealed Prohibition, States have the power to regulate the sale of alcohol within their borders. But, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that this power does not trump the First Amendment’s right to freedom of expression. In the case of Bad Frog Brewery v. New York State Liquor Authority, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that beer labels can be protected speech, especially when they have artistic content. The N.Y. Liquor Authority recently tried to ban the label for “Santa’s Butt Winter Porter” but backed down after a lawsuit was filed.
“Freedom of expression is not just an abstract principle—it protects the books we read, the art we see, and the beer we drink,” said Shenna Bellows, MCLU Executive Director. The MCLU hopes that the case can be resolved quickly, and that “Santa’s Butt Winter Porter” will be available in Maine by Christmas.
Posted by: Will Shelton on Dec 02, 06 | 9:34 am | Profile
COMMENTS:
We've gotten a lot of email about this already, almost all of it positive and supportive. We've also gotten some that is, shall we say, less than supportive, and even violent.
Interestingly, no one seems to care a whit about the supposedly indecent labels for Les Sans Culottes or Rose de Gambrinus . . . but an image of Santa innocently enjoying a frothy brew has whipped people into a, well, froth. We'll post some of the more memorable or amusing emails shortly.
What do you think?
Posted by: Will Shelton on Dec 02, 06 | 9:43 am
I think it's wrong and your beer should be sold in Maine. I don't believe in censorship. We shall have a whole generation of over sheltered brats running this country in a few decades. In Europe kids are allowed to have wine at dinner and they don't have the drinking problems that we have. Could it be that perhaps they teach their kids to be responsible instead of making everything taboo???? What is wrong with this country???
Posted by: Jill on Dec 02, 06 | 10:05 am
I LOVE IT! Good luck with those doggone puritans. I would really love to own a Santa's Butt or Seriously Bad Elf poster. How would I go about getting one or both?
Thanks!
Terry
Gettysburg PA
Posted by: Terry W. on Dec 02, 06 | 10:12 am
This is petty and plain sad. Maine has nothing else better to do, but get all bent out of shape about art work. Clever art work may I add, Santa's Butt is not only sitting on a barrel, but sitting on a butt. I don't understand the issue. If they're so afraid children will see the label and it offends them, then don't buy it and what is your kid doing in a liquor store in the first place if it is so alarming. Be a PARENT people and go back to potato picking. Thank Goodness my relatives in Maine aren't this sad and pathetic...must be because we're French. I will continue to buy this beer as well as the other brands and I am sure millions of others will too. Shelton Brothers, keep up the clever art work that represents and adds even more fun to the greatness of Beer.
Posted by: Shannon (Baltimore, MD) on Dec 02, 06 | 10:20 am
Aren't there more pressing issues than label artwork? I'll echo Terry's sentiment; if there are posters for sale, count me in. I'll look for these beers here in Virginia.
More here: http://www.quietvoice.org/index.php/2006/12/02/no-santas-butt-for-maine/
Posted by: Ken Nelson on Dec 02, 06 | 10:27 am
Dear, My American Brothers.
If you think the State of Maine is backwards, try working with the Ontario Liquor Control Board.
Good Luck
Mark Nassis
Toronto, Canada
Posted by: Mark Nassis on Dec 02, 06 | 11:54 am
My wife and I are huge into Christmastime decorations and always like to see varying depictions of Santa Clause. This one is one of the best. It is a classic look and makes for great gifts for the beer drinkers in your life.
I love the label and think you guys should sell prints of it on your site..along with you other labels as well...the art is great!
Posted by: Kevin on Dec 02, 06 | 12:08 pm
Santa didn't get that big belly of his just by eating food. It is obvious that he drinks LOTS of BEER!!
People should worry more about crime & drugs instead of a label on a bottle of beer.
Posted by: Kevin Rooney on Dec 02, 06 | 12:25 pm
nyway, come out West, -- we'd love your product, one way or the other!.
Posted by: Lucy on Dec 02, 06 | 12:36 pm
I am outraged by this bull [bleep]! The big brew companies regularly feature scantily clad women in their advertising, and these goofbags are worried about a reference to Saint Nick's patooty? At least his bottom is covered!
Seems to me there is (or once was) a brand of German beer that showed a glimpse of a lady's bare, or almost bare, tush. Furthermore, you could buy that beer down here in Georgia.
Go MCLU!
Posted by: Freya the Beer Fiend on Dec 02, 06 | 1:16 pm
I'm glad the label was censored.
Admitedly, the label has artistic merit. But, it is offensive to the traditional spirit of Christmas.
Why not market the excellent porter under a different Christmas theme?
Or, is the idea really to make a mockery of our culture and traditions?
Stick the label in a museum and leave Jolly old St. Nick's butt in Jolly old England, where they don't seem to care about corruption in the name of progressiveness.
Posted by: Burton Keeble on Dec 02, 06 | 1:19 pm
R.J. Reynolds argued that they were not marketing to kids when they used the cartoonish "Joe Camel" to promote their cigarettes. However,Reynolds because of those complaints. So now, a beer maker is using Santa Claus to promote their adult product. Is Shelton doing the same? Maybe/maybe not but...
Commerical speech for any product with health implications can be restricted particularly in the case tobacco and alcohol products. And in this case, the label IS the ad. If it is determined that the Santa image is being used in a similar fashion - to Joe Camel the labeling could possibly be restricted.
The Bad Frog example would not apply in this circumstance. That case was based soley on the issue of offensive image of the "webbed finger." If it would be sucessfully argued that the Santa image encourages underage consumption and that restriction of the image would have the opposite effect the outcome would be different.
in any case Shelton should fess up. This situation which has brought this publicity is not really about the First Amendment or art. It is about $$. And no matter the outcome Shelton will make more $$ as awareness of their products increases.
Is the label humorous? Yes, but is it responsible marketing? I think not. It is crass American advertising at its best (worst). Even if the ad cannot be quashed the right to do something does not make it right.
Posted by: Lee on Dec 02, 06 | 3:05 pm
I am from Maine. I live in the midcoast and please do not think that all of us here are in agreement with the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. On the contrary. I LOVE the label. Many beers are kepted in coolers in the grocery stores. Even if they aren't, doesn't a pumpkin on a label look inviting to a kid? Good grief! Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less of our state government.
Good luck to Shelton Brothers. You have my vote for Santa's butt!!!
Posted by: Valerie on Dec 02, 06 | 3:06 pm
Thanks to everyone for the support, and to Burton Keeble for bringing up the tradition of St Nicholas. We've done a little research about dear old St Nick, actually. Here's something we found at the web site for the Catholic Education System in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin:
St. Nicholas of Myra, lived in the early 4th Century. He became known as a patron saint of brewers after an incident at an inn. The legend holds that three young children were slain by an innkeeper and then hidden in a barrel of beer. Nicholas is said to have prayed for them and gained their resurrection. Thus Nicholas became the patron saint of brewers and of children; and is more commonly know to us today as Saint Nick or Santa Claus! We suggest leaving him Ale next Christmas instead of milk.
Here's the URL: http://www.faces.k12.wi.us/news.cfm?detailid=194&newsid=57
Posted by: Will Shelton on Dec 02, 06 | 3:08 pm
Your idea of depicting Santa in a disrespectful way is exactly parallel to your attitude toward the whole of the American people. We don't want your beer. Offening the American people who happen to like Santa is not good marketing, and using this to advance your agenda of moral decay is grotesque.
Posted by: mirror on Dec 02, 06 | 3:15 pm
Gotta tell ya, I'm embarassed to say that I was a Maine resident until last year when we moved to Florida. The notion that children would be swiggin' beer in the streets of Maine if there was a "Santa" on the label would be funny - if it wasn't for the fact that the Maine Liqueur Commission was so dead serious. These Nazi bleepers have been a pain in Maine's ass for a lot of years now.
Anyway, we wanted to give you an attaboy for trying to assist Mainers into joining the 20th century!
Great looking label!
Posted by: Dave - Sebastian, Florida on Dec 02, 06 | 3:50 pm
Santa's image is used to sell all kinds of things. Consider how many ads you've seen just this year with Santa, an elf, reindeer or some combination thereof. Is it within the state's prevue to regulate which businesses can use Santa's image and which cannot? If the state deems beer unworthy of Santa's implied approval, what next?
Perhaps Santa's image should be barred from selling fast foods with trans fats as they are often targeted directly at children (as opposed to beer) and represent a clear and present danger to the long term health of children. Far more so, I would argue, than Santa's image on a bottle of beer.
I doubt the constitution of the state of Maine grants such latitude to the liquor regulating authority as to determine which enterprises can use Santa's image in advertising.
Furthermore, I feel it should be incumbent on the state to prove the null hypothesis that seeing a picture of Santa on a bottle of beer will cause harm to children rather than burden the beer seller with the task of proving it doesn't.
Ninny-ism at its finest for sure!
S. Sean Inge
Bellingham, WA
Posted by: Sean on Dec 02, 06 | 3:59 pm
So let me get this straight. It's perfectly legal for Coors to use girls in bikinis to advertise their beer during a footbasll game, when those actually at risk of drinking underage (teenagers) are certainly watching, but it's not legal to have Santa on a beer bottle, which no kid will ever even see because they can't go to a liquor store.
SOunds like a great use of Maine's tax dollars!
Posted by: James L on Dec 02, 06 | 4:11 pm
Do you not think using Santa's posterior to sell beer is improper? Santa should be one of the few icons that is unsullied. There's nothing wrong with using Santa in general for advertising, and I am certainly against censorship, but one has to draw the line somewhere for good taste. It should have been you. And I hope you win your lawsuit. This is the good old U.S.A. and no one should be censored. (Taught good taste, maybe, but not squashed like a bug.)
And by the way, we may be related. My family came from one of 3 Shelton brothers who came from England and landed in Virginia. Maybe we're cousins. Have a happy holiday!
Juda
Posted by: Juda on Dec 02, 06 | 4:31 pm
You contradict yourself, Juda. If it's okay to use Santa "in general for advertising", why can't he be used to sell beer?
By all means, we should do what we can to curb underage drinking, but censoring labels that no kid will ever even see is not going to help.
Posted by: James L on Dec 02, 06 | 4:59 pm
The ABC in Maine are a bunch of wimps. I've been drinking beer since I was twelve, and it wasn't because I saw some beer commercial oriented towards six-year-olds. Instead of sucking up to the consumer groups, who worry about the height of the cigarette adds in grocery stores because it might be eye-level to some short minors, they should concentrate their energy on promoting responsible drinking. Like anti drinking-driving campaigns, etc.
I have seen national ads with Santa promoting Coke, but I'll bet there was very little feedback from the DEA on that one!
Aside from the child-oriented factor, do you think an ad featuring a fat-assed Santa Clause is a good idea for a beer commercial?
Posted by: Rose de Gambrinus on Dec 02, 06 | 6:30 pm
Santa butt porter beer is for 21 and over. Not for kids. I love the idea. They can put the pope on a bottle why not santa. Thanks Bob
Posted by: robert tresize on Dec 02, 06 | 7:27 pm
The Shelton Brothers are succeeding in what they really want to do-receive free advertising and sell more beer! Because of this ridiculous situation, the brewery is getting exactly what it wants and everyone else is enjoying getting all worked up. For those of you who have insulted the state of Maine, there isn't a state in this country that hasn't done something that someone else wouldn't find ridiculous. Unlike one of the previous posts from the person who moved from Maine to Florida, I am not ashamed to say that I used to live in Maine, nor do I feel the need to say I've moved and therefore, I'm "better". How egocentric to believe that you are better for simply living in a different state! Maine is an excellent state, and I can say from personal experience, a state with a GREAT love of beer. And for the post that talks about people needing to focus on crime and all the other problems facing our society, I couldn't agree more, but I would like to point out that Maine is one of the safest states in the country (possibly THE safest). I sincerely doubt that the Shelton Brothers have had many difficulties with Maine residents purchasing their beer before.
I do not believe that there is any need to censor this label. I think the lawsuit is unnecessary, and it's wasting time, energy, and money. I find it interesting that there have been similar instances in the past few years with other states having issues with your labels. I would venture to say, that the Shelton Brothers enjoy the publicity and enjoy "pushing the envelope" so they can generate this kind of buzz. Supposedly there is no such thing as bad publicity, so I'm sure this will simply help the brewery. I don't believe a beer label with Santa on it will convince or entice children to drink beer, but I also don't think it's as clever as others do. In the article I read, I believe the quotation was, "Last year it was elves. This year it's Santa. Maybe next year it'll be reindeer."...I'm guessing you've already planned a controversial Reindeer beer and label.
I do think it's too bad you've chosen something like Christmas and this time of year to exploit for your own monetary gain, but so be it. I won't be buying your beer (and I'm sure it won't make a bit of difference to you)...So enjoy yourselves, good luck in your lawsuit, and I'll expect to see a similar article replacing "Santa" with "reindeer" next holiday season.
Posted by: Jen on Dec 02, 06 | 7:49 pm
On behalf of all beer drinkers, I applaud you on do something different and coming up with a business plan that brings light to the holidays with adults in mind, therefore my opinion on your arguement should be that PARENTS and Alcohol merchants should take steps to keep children from being exposed or tempted by the label, which is the statutes in most state laws. This should not impede the forthgoing attempt of a business to market a LEGAL product to it's customer's and their demographic. If a parent drinks their beer in front of children it's their fault and beer regardless of label should not be consumed with any influence around children. It's a legal product without any vulgarity,obscenity, or nudity. Keep up the good work guys and best of luck.
Tom
Posted by: Tom Grogan on Dec 02, 06 | 7:51 pm
Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ and Christian family values,not to emulate alcoholism with an icon ment for children and adults who wish to keep Maine clean from distorted views of societies fringe.Bravo to Maine's Goverment.If you don't like it,keep your slag wash product in Massachusetts.
A Mainer,
HAROLD HOLBROOK
Posted by: HAROLD HOLBROOK on Dec 02, 06 | 9:26 pm
Talk about making an issue out of nothing...
Those who say Santa must be free of "social vices" ignore an important fact. Lest anyone forget, Santa has been depicted smoking a pipe full of tobacco for nearly 200 years. I haven't seen anyone up in arms about that, suggesting that the words to "The Night Before Christmas" need to be re-written before the poem can be read to millions of children every year.
Posted by: Ed on Dec 02, 06 | 9:30 pm
I have heard police officers in south america say America must be a wonderful place to live. A place where police have so little crime to fight they worry about petty things like speeding cars on the open highway, now what is on the lable of a beer can. One might ask why the children of these people are seeing these cans of beer if they the parents don't drink the stuff.
Posted by: REM on Dec 02, 06 | 10:05 pm
Really, in the state of confusion this world is in at this point, is worrying about Santa drinking a beer the worst thing a child will see? I seriously doubt it. Good luck with the fight to keep Santa jolly!!
Posted by: Greg on Dec 02, 06 | 10:39 pm
Just want to say first off Love the label keep up the fight. Now for you people who have no Idea what you are talking about in your posts. First off Santa is not a "Christian" image, he can be traced back to the pagan celebration of Yule (as can the "Christmas" tree), So when you argue that this fine company is ruining your wholesome holiday, just remember Santa comes from pagan beliefs, And I'm sure he was swilling the stuff down with us long before Christ touched this planet. (our religion has records that date long before the bible) I will now end this rant.
Merry Yule to all of you, and I look forward to purchasing this fine beer here in Missouri,
Justin the Druid
Posted by: Justin on Dec 03, 06 | 4:59 am
I like the beer labels, they are not offensive, if someone takes offense to them then I hope that they would get some "help". Being offended to the labels means that the person is too thin skinned, get over it if you don't like the label- DON't drink the beer!
Posted by: clif on Dec 03, 06 | 7:22 am
Go for it. Tell those government agencies who would try to run a perfectly legal business at their whim to get lost. They are to serve the public, not to dictate to the public, or do they not know the difference?
Posted by: aubrey johnston on Dec 03, 06 | 9:02 am
Hello.
This is the same sort of crap we put up with in PA. Our PLCB, and your MBLE seem to be a branch of the SS. Everything has to be "approved" by the "kings of spirits". Being an a sarcastic SOB myself I love the Santa's Butt Winter label, and I'd love to see the Bad elf label. Fight the good fight! You probably have a Snowball's chance but go for it, it's a beer label not a childrens book.
Patrick Lovette, Johnstown Brewing Co.
Posted by: Patrick Lovette on Dec 03, 06 | 10:31 am
what the hell has happened to everyone's sense of humor. Its beer for christsake. Drank by men watching tv and woman at bars. I for one am going to support santa's butt and seriously bad elf by buying a case and giving them as christmas gifts!!!!
Posted by: laura aks beerslut on Dec 03, 06 | 2:43 pm
Hey guys, saw the news. Stick it to them. I am wondering if you guys are making a poster, or anything with the label from Santa's Butt for sale, I have to say it is one of the best labels I have ever seen!!! I would love to get my hands on something. Please let me know.
Thank you, and best of luck
Erik
Posted by: erik SCHROEDER on Dec 03, 06 | 3:41 pm
You can't be serious. Do you really think it's appropriate to have a picture of Santa drinking beer, a woman without a top, a man with an erection, etc. on a bottle promoting your product? Does it taste so horrible that you need something to draw attention to it? It never ceases to surprise me how people doing something wrong are so quick to claim their right to do it under the constitution. Just remember, your rights END where my rights BEGIN. Grow up and take your business seriously, maybe then someone will actually buy your product because they like it and not because you've used some ridiculously childish prank in order to get attention.
Posted by: Katherine Corner on Dec 03, 06 | 4:50 pm
I wish these people would put this much effort into World Peace and curing Cancer.
Posted by: Mary on Dec 03, 06 | 5:00 pm
i guess the state of maine has no other important problems to spend its time on, must be nice
Posted by: kevin mcnamara on Dec 03, 06 | 6:03 pm
Dear sirs,
While I am against censorship I am also just as upset of the use of Santa Claus. It shows just how far some companies will go to make and easy buck. I find the use of Santa and his image to be the most repulsive advertisement using his image yet! You should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope and pray you get a nice big black lump of coal for Christmas. You certainly will not get my business.
Posted by: John Williford on Dec 04, 06 | 4:25 pm
freedom of speech is being violated
butt....means barrel
Posted by: Arthur Isaiac Jackson III on Dec 04, 06 | 8:01 pm
You guys came up in our government class at Belchertown High School today. It was awesome. And Jason Woodcock was telling us how Mr. Dan Shelton once chaperoned a school dance.
Posted by: Doug on Dec 04, 06 | 8:49 pm
We like reading people's opinions, and we're glad that so many people who evidently don't see things the way we and our customers do feel comfortable coming onto our website and expressing themselves.
I need to say, however, that in regard to John Williford's post above, I'm starting to be bored with these posts expressing the author's view that Santa's Butt is disgusting, blah, blah, blah, and we should be ashamed. It's just not advancing the discussion, which is supposed to be about rights and responsibilities -- big issues.
Saying that we 'should be ashamed,' John, rather widely misses the point. You seem to assume that we think Santa's Butt is offensive in some way. We don't think that in the least, as I've made very clear in a post above that you didn't read. Saying that you don't like it doesn't change my mind. Yours is obviously a minority opinion. How can we be ashamed when we don't think we've done anything wrong?
This whole discussion is about a few people forcing their opinion on a much larger group of people. It's about censorship. You say you're against censorship, and I believe you. But you're talking about government censorship, I presume, without recognizing that you're advocating censorship of a different, and in some ways, more insidious variety: social pressure, threats of boycotts, etc., to get us to censor ourselves. (Some people have also threatened us with eternal damnation, but at least you're not doing that.) What you're saying is, you've got your right of free speech, so for Heaven's sake, don't use it! I think that's very wrong. Think more about the flip-side of free speech, tolerance.
I find this idea that somehow we're tarnishing the pure image of Santa Claus either incredibly naive, or intellectually dishonest. But I'll have more to say about that later.
Your post reminds me of a very amusing message we received last year as the famous one-week Connecticut Santa ban was being lifted. The writer was incensed that we thought we were so smart, making Connecticut look bad like that. Rubbing it in, she added, gratuitously, 'Beer drinkers are scum!' Then, she concluded: 'It's time for an old-fashioned boycott!' My response to that: I heartily encourage all non-beer drinkers to boycott our beers. You wouldn't like them anyway. They're made of beer.
I seriously doubt, John, that you are one of our customers. You seem to think that the idea that Santa might like a nice beer cheapens or demeans him. That assumption -- which, again, you seem to think the rest of us should share, though we emphatically do not -- reflects a very negative attitude about beer.
Maybe I'm leaping to conclusions above, but one thing is clear: chances are that you live in one of the 40-plus states where we've been selling Santa's Butt for three years now. You never noticed it before now, until you read about it in some newspaper or web site. You're obviously not shopping in the kinds of stores that carry our beers. I'm just not very worried about your vow never to buy one of them.
By the way, if you want to know where not to go if you don't want to buy one of our beers, check out the handy information in the Distribution section at the top of this page. While you're at home not drinking our beer, consider just how threatening Santa's Butt could possibly be to the public welfare if you haven't even noticed it over these last three years.
Dan
Posted by: Daniel Shelton on Dec 04, 06 | 10:56 pm
MCLU or ACLU what's the diff? They whine about anything that makes people giggle a little. Bring on the santa butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chuck Jenkins on Dec 04, 06 | 11:10 pm
Hello Doug,
It's a little unusual that you're here, but since I know that it's the issues of free speech and civic duty raised on this blog that brought you on to our website, and not an interest in beer, I suppose there's nothing wrong with that. Goodness knows we can't stop you from logging in. Only your parents could do that.
But, to be safe, please remember what I told all those kids at that dance: No beer for you until you're 21 (or move to Europe)!
I am very pleased that you are discussing this case in class. There are some very interesting and important issues of rights and civic duties involved. In fact, now that you've clued me in about this discussion, maybe I'll give Mr. Hansbury a call and see if they'd like me to come in and discuss these issues with you.
But for now, I'd like to know what you think about the Orioles' prospects this season. Any thoughts? By the way, my name used to be on a big banner over the basketball court, but when I went there earlier this month to vote, I didn't see it hanging there any more. Can you find out what happened to it, and get back to me? They had me down as 'Danny Shelton,' which isn't exactly right, but it's better than nothing, and now even that's gone. It's only been thirty years since I graduated . . . and now I'm history?
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe you'd better hold your answers until I come back to 'alma mater' to talk about the First Amendment.
Please ask your parents if it's all right before you come back on the site again to talk with everyone here. If they say it's o.k., it's fine with me, as long as we stick to elevated topics like civil rights, basketball, or high school dances.
So run along now, and don't look at any of the beer-related stuff on this website on your way out.
All the best to you, and greetings to the, uh, older teachers at BHS who might remember me . . .
Dan
Posted by: Daniel Shelton on Dec 05, 06 | 12:09 am
I think its hillarious that the state of Maine has nothing better to do than pick on Santa trying to get a little drink on. I am interested in where I could buy some of this most contiversial beer. I personaly am from Sacramento Ca, and wouyld love to buy some to drink as well as gifts. Any local spots to buy, or could I order from the brewery?
Posted by: Andy Gipson on Dec 05, 06 | 1:51 am
I find it ironic that the MCLU is the organization representing you. Are they going to sue you next for having the Santa label on the beer? Isn't he a symbol of Christmas, and wouldn't that be infringing on the non-Christians that have to walk through the beer distributor?
Posted by: Colleen on Dec 05, 06 | 10:59 am
Without delving too deeply into this issue, I can say I do disagree with the
"Santa label" ... but perhaps for a different reason than those cited by the State of Maine.
I somehow find the visual and mental images conjured up by the labels artwork, rather unappetizing. “Santa’s Butt!” What does THAT mean? Is that where the beer is from?
Ack! That big old Santa’s rear-end is NOT cute either. Why make Santa the butt of your joke?
That being said; there is NO bad publicity… I am visiting your website for the first time. I am reading about your company history, which is quite interesting. And I am wondering how I could get my hands on a few bottle of “Wee Beast” (Now there is a label name that is funny, but NOT unappetizing.)
Do you have distribution into California? BTW California has been cranking out some really good wines for decades now, and it’s just getting better, so what’s with the slam? You will grow your business faster, taking the High Road, eh?
Posted by: West Coaster on Dec 05, 06 | 11:48 am
Coaster:
I guess I have to be really careful what I say. No knock on California wines was intended. I've enjoyed many good ones, for sure. I have to admit that I didn't even know what comment I made that you were referring to until I thought about it for a long while. When I was younger, there were gallon bottles of wine from California that were intimidatingly large but breathtakingly cheap, that's all. I imagine such things still exist. I certainly would never suggest that that's all California produces.
(I was born in Oakland, by the way.)
For your information: The Wee Beast label was done by the same artist that did Santa's Butt. Both labels definitely have their fans -- though the one is definitely a little bit 'sexier' than the other -- so it's a matter of taste, it seems.
It's a weird thing, though, to say that you 'disagree' with a beer label. It seems to me that you're just saying that you don't like it. Obviously a lot of other people like it quite a bit. It's been the best seller of all the Christmas beers even before all of this notoriety.
Please go to the menu at the top of the page, click on 'Distribution,' and you should be able to find a few retailers and distributors listed in California. The distributors should be able to direct you to retailers if there are any near you.
Dan
Posted by: Daniel Shelton on Dec 05, 06 | 7:13 pm
Dan-
When I heard about the issue I was too enthralled not to say anything. 'Tis a shame about your banner not being up, I'll talk to the Athletic Director, see if I can get something done for you.
As far as beer goes, drinking isn't my thing...Breaking the law isn't so cool that I just NEEEEED to do it, except maybe speeding.
Well, best regards.
Posted by: Doug on Dec 08, 06 | 3:38 pm
Doug,
I suppose I'll see you on Monday when I go to B.H.S. to talk about freedom of speech and civic responsibility.
The 'banner' thing was a little joke, actually. There are far more important things to talk about today than what happened on a high school basketball court in -- oh man, it's hard to say this -- the Seventies! I was just trying to change the subject. Now that I think about it, though, I'm sure I will try to turn up at a basketball game or two this winter and see how much better kids are today than they were -- ouch, ooh, the pain! -- thirty-five years ago . . .
I've never been a speeder myself, but I look at the laws against underage drinking and speeding about the same way: it is undoubtedly within the power of our representatives to make laws concerning both, and until we (through them) decide to change the rules, they're to be obeyed. So watch your speed.
Now, this case in Maine is a wholly different thing. The question we're looking at is whether a lone official in the executive branch actually has the power to make a rule banishing Santa Claus from beer labels, based on a personal theory that Santa will cause children to buy beer. But we'll talk about that on Monday . . .
Posted by: Daniel Shelton on Dec 10, 06 | 10:29 am
I live in Ohio. Is there any way I could purchase Santa`s Butt from here?
Posted by: Mike Janson on Dec 13, 06 | 3:17 pm
Sure, Mike. Just click on the 'Distribution' link at the top of this page and find the wholesaler for your state. They can point you toward the nearest retailer to you.
Posted by: Will Shelton on Dec 14, 06 | 5:00 pm
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