State Wants To Ban Beer With Elf Label (Might Make Children Drink)

[matcom]

:eyes:

<snip>

HARTFORD, Conn. --A constitutional battle is brewing over a holiday beer that state officials are trying to ban because they say its label might entice children to drink.

The state believes it would be really awful for kids to see the label on the British import Seriously Bad Elf.

It shows a mean-looking elf with a slingshot firing Christmas ornaments at Santa's sleigh as it flies overhead.

State liquor regulations bar alcohol advertising with images that might appeal to children. The regulations specifically mention Santa.

"There are certain symbols and images that appeal more strongly to children and this regulation includes the most obvious among them," Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said. "The state has wide discretion to regulate the sales of alcohol."

The state Liquor Control Division notified Massachusetts-based Shelton Brothers distributors that it was rejecting its application to sell the beer, a bitter winter ale brewed at the Ridgeway Brewery in England.

Dan Shelton cried foul. After all, his company had no such problems when it sold Bad Elf and Very Bad Elf in previous years. It sells the beer in 30 other states and none have complained.

"We even had a beer called Santa's Butt last year," Shelton said. "They didn't notice Santa's Butt, but they notice this one. How can you miss that big red thing? Minors are not going to be looking to buy beer because Santa Claus is on the label."

Messages seeking comment were left with the Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees the Liquor Control Division.

Federal law limits what can be printed on beer labels but does not address marketing to children. Each state sets its own laws and, once a beer label is approved federally, it still needs state approval.

Most states limit alcohol marketing to minors and many prohibit the use of images such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, according to a 2003 report by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University.

Two industry groups, the Beer Institute and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, have adopted voluntary codes of conduct prohibiting the use of Santa Claus in alcohol marketing.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/10/29/conn_wants_to_ban_beer_with_elf_label?mode=PF

[DainBramaged]

1. What would a kid be doing in a liquor store in the first place?

And if the label is bad for the kids, just ban all beer. God, think of the bellies you'd save.


Stupid stupid people with too much time on their hands.

[m_welby]

2. such total stupidity

entice children to drink?

are there guys on streetcorners handing out bottles to kids or something?

kids are more likely to want the beer they see sold on tv day and night (just during sporting events) rather than some small time brand on a shelf in the store.

so apparently its ok to make alcohol consumption look 'cool' and 'fun' just so long as the label doesn't have a creepy looking elf on it.

[underpants]

3. We really need to get over this "Culture for children" thing

we are adults. The world is run for and by adults (at least in most places it is). If you want to be a parent (new parent myself) be a parent don't ask everyone else to stop what they are doing because you happen to have a child.

[Loonman]

4. Hartford Conn. must be a frickin' boring place

Busybodies...

[WCGreen]

5. Large breasted woman parading around in beer commercials

make infant salivate....

First words out of mouth of babes,

"me likey the twin towers of Bud..."