Manhattan Project faces backlash over nuclear weapons-themed beers

These guys are beyond tone-deaf. Look, you thought you were being clever but you and your marketing people made a YUUUUGGGGEEE mistake--the ignorance of the owner about Bikini Atoll and probably a lot of other history speaks volumes. The statement they put out is idiotic. Admit you were utterly stupid to do this, apologize to everyone you offended and move on. If the beer is good, people will drink it under another name.

 

I’m not offended by the atomic bomb angle but I am disappointed to learn that the brewery isn’t in NYC, which would have made it a cool play on words. (Likewise if they were in Los Alamos.)

 

A very long time ago the corner store in my neighborhood sold fallout shelters in their parking lot, several houses in my neighborhood were built with fallout shelters, most public buildings had a fallout shelter symbol where you could go into the basement and it would do absolutely no good, we did duck and cover and hid under our desks and went out into the hallway to practice having a nuclear attack, worried about strontium 90 in our milk and fallout clouds from nuclear tests, our priests and nuns prayed we wouldn't get blown up, and I picketed and protested nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons testing. I suppose if my island was one of the ones blown up by an atom bomb test I would be upset and if my island was blown up by the tests I would be offended by the ignorance of the brewers but on my list of things to be offended about the ignorance of the brewer, name of the brewery and the name of its beers are way down on my list. I am less offended by Manhattan Project beer than I am with some of the sexist imagery used to sell beer, and I can think of much more offensive names on beer cans than Bikini Atoll. Maybe instead of looking around for things to be pissed off about, people might want to sit down, crack open a can of beer and chill.

 

Learn about the real story of the testing and you will change your mind about the "crying of the masses". It is so much more than your attempt to dismiss the topic off hand. Check it out.

 

I can go to the bar and order a kamikaze. Is that offensive too? What about the beers that use names or labels that objectify women? And the ones that mock ethnic or regional accents? What about the ones that use foul language in their titles? The only thing potentially offensive here would be if the brewer's beer isn't any good. Otherwise, get over it ladies and gentlemen.

 

would it be offensive if a bartender made someone a kamikaze?

 

Yes it could be. If the guy was a Pacific War veteran whose ship and buddies had died around him while he spent two weeks without food on a piece of debris before being rescued. Why don't you give a try to going to Northern Ireland, going into a bar, and ordering a Black and Tan?

 

I'd guess you didn't actually read the brewery web page that covers the complaint and the Brewey's response. I'd also bet dollars to donuts you don't have any idea of what happened in the Marshall Island that might lead the them being upset about the names.

 

Hell no. That is effing mindless. My Dad was an Army officer in The Philippines at Leyte Bay. He was an infantry lieutenant that was cited by George C. Marshall for his units very tricky move behind Japanese lines. These guys saw more old Japanese customs go up in smoke than all of the kamikazes. My Dad never was able to shake the war, really. He only made 58 years, but was an amazing man...........

 

Or an Irish car bomb. My point is, there is no end to things we all can find offensive about any given adult beverage. I can drive 15 minutes to the nearest store in my zip code and find a very well known brand for sale with art on the carton someone could say objectifies women.

 

Ever been to the Marshall Islands? I have. You're welcome. And no, I'm not going to bother reading the complaint and response because that's all anyone ever does these days anymore - it's all complain and respond. Why don't we just stop naming all beers and put plain artless packaging on it?

 

I understand your point but you are missing the point from the perspective of the Marshall Islanders who raised the complaint. Have you ever had radiation sickness? Have you ever had been uprooted and moved so that your home and then know that it has been destroyed while you watch your father die from radiation sickness?

 

The islands, no. But ive lived in the real path of nuclear fallout and seen how it affected some folks I liked and respected. I've spent time in Nevada areas where there was more fallout and seen some of the results. I lived within 60 miles of the TMI accident and the potential for raidioactive fall out that could have made my home "hot" for a half life of about 10,000 years.

My basic point is that you are trivializing a real issue not dealing with a bunch "made up" concerns.

 

Here's a radical concept: if people are offended by the names of beers this brewer is producing, how about they buy someone else's beer instead?

Are the beers in question even sold in the Marshall Islands?

 

Oh, one is allowed to be offended only if the product is available where you live? If so why are you so offended by a thread you don't even need to read??

Something clearly has offended you and you sought it out in the first place....

 

I am fully aware of the topic at hand and again have no issues drinking their beer. A picture on a beer can does not upset me, its a beer can. My comment had zero to do with the people there! My comment was directed at craft beer drinkers turned social activists, telling others if we drink a can of beer with a bomb on it we condone the suffering of others, really?

 

If that's all true, why are you so offended by Marshall Islanders reaction based in direct experience with the nuclear testing and it's impact on their lives that still continues to day?

 

I don't recall posting I was offended? Can you refer me to my prior posts where I said I was outraged? I have no opinion on the Marshall Islanders nor have I had an opinion on them? I said I have no issue drinking the beer. We are on Beer Advocate where I thought the topic was beer and drinking beer, I guess we are now a soap box for social justice I am not sure anymore.