Censorship on Beer Labels

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by amano_h, Nov 3, 2015.

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  1. amano_h

    amano_h Maven (1,459) Mar 18, 2014 Oregon

    I don't quite remember if this subject was brought up before (please forgive me if it was) but a few recent happenings here in Korea have made me ponder if there have been any other similar instances back home in the states.

    Case the first: Cantillon's Rosé de Gambrinus

    A company in Korea was recently able to secure importation rights to a few of Cantillon's offerings, which was met by fanfare by beer geeks and sourheads alike. Whereas initial reports from the company made it seem as though the everything was hunky-dorey and that eager consumers would be gouged of their hard-earned money in no time, a week later it was reported that the beer shipments had been stalled at customs and quarantine for an indeterminate period of time.

    Amidst anxious flooding of inquiries and clamors of consumers asking if the company had correctly populated the necessary forms for customs, it was soon revealed that the reason for the delay was not bureaucratic in nature but a question of morals:

    [​IMG]
    photo credit: Winesearcher

    Despite the fact that the legal age for drinking is higher in Korea than that of sexual consent, and far ignoring the fact that the price point of these bottles (they are currently selling for about 30-45 USD for 750ml) would place these far beyond the reach of potential sexual deviants, the beer was deemed "too suggestive for general audiences." With their reputation and money on the line, the importation company desperately sought out possible solutions, and a few days later it was announced that Cantillon Gueuze, Kriek, Cuvee de Gilloise, and Rose de Gambrinus would be hitting bottle shops very soon. The importation company also hinted that consumers would be in for a surprise and that select bottles of Cantillon would be accompanied by some original artwork, which turned out to be this:

    [​IMG]
    I'm not quite sure if I should laugh about this or tear the label off in a fit of rage.

    Case the second: Cantillon 100% Gueuze Bio vs. Cantillon 100% Gueuze

    The following excerpt is taken from the Cantillon official website:

    This commitment to using only organically grown grains is reflected both on the label of the beer and in the name of the beer by the words "Bio," as seen in the below picture:

    [​IMG]
    photo credit: "The Beer Philosopher"

    There are apparently astringent regulations on stamping or using the words "Bio"--even if its usage has been certified and ratified by a respectable, far superior foreign agency such as Ecocert--in Korea, and apparently turned into yet another point of attrition between the importation companies. And of course, the quick-witted folks at the aforementioned importation company decided to employ their previously-proven method to once again get the product out to market:

    [​IMG]
    photo credit: Sangwon Lee (BeerForum Korea)

    Seriously? No mosaic on the baby penis?

    Can anyone think of similar or other instances of label censorship? Sorry for the long post.
     
    #1 amano_h, Nov 3, 2015
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  2. kell50

    kell50 Pooh-Bah (2,334) Jul 25, 2007 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Cantillon is great. I have an uncensored 2012 Rose de Gambrinus in my cellar from the brewery.
     
    #2 kell50, Nov 3, 2015
  3. riverlen

    riverlen Pundit (852) Sep 16, 2009 Illinois

    What makes you think a sex deviant can't afford a nice bottle of beer?

    When you go into foreign markets you have to be aware of the sensibilities of other cultures. I remember that in the 60's a Beatles record album had to have different art on the cover for the US market because the UK version was considered offensive here. It happens, I'm not concerned about it.
     
    #3 riverlen, Nov 3, 2015
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  4. amano_h

    amano_h Maven (1,459) Mar 18, 2014 Oregon

    Touché.

    Not that I have a habit of purchasing alcohol for the artwork/label, I do appreciate it when small-batch companies go out of their way to make their labels look artistic/original, and I am a huge admirer of Cantillon's labels for that reason. Whereas the censorship does bother me ever-so-slightly, in the end I'm glad that consumers have access to these beers.
     
    #4 amano_h, Nov 3, 2015
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  5. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam


    Labels can fail approval for lots of reasons related to their content.

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/founders-relabels-breakfast-stout.315962/

    Many don't make the news.
     
    #5 drtth, Nov 3, 2015
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  6. MuFugga

    MuFugga Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2015 Wisconsin

    The most ridiculous one that comes to mind of late is Founders removing the baby from the Breakfast Stout label to be able to sell in Michigan. I've seen bottles of The Brown Note on shelves but they can't put a baby on the bottle? Does it somehow encourage infantile drinking?

    Oops. Just noticed the link above.
     
    #6 MuFugga, Nov 3, 2015
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  7. DoubleJ

    DoubleJ Grand Pooh-Bah (4,516) Oct 13, 2007 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Everyone these days are so busy talking about Born Yesterday, Hop Stoopid, and Sucks from Lagunitas, few remember this:[​IMG]
     
    #7 DoubleJ, Nov 3, 2015
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  8. craft_is_king

    craft_is_king Pundit (773) Jul 24, 2014 California

    I heard something about a brewery releasing a beer called "golden shower" I think it was approved by the government agency, then found out what it meant and tried to stop it. Maybe someone else remembers. Just heard details about this a few years ago.

    I haven't seen "good beer, no shit" on flying dog's beer anymore.
     
    #8 craft_is_king, Nov 3, 2015
  9. HorseheadsHophead

    HorseheadsHophead Grand Pooh-Bah (3,732) Sep 15, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only beer label I've seen that I think should be censored is that damn Brown Note brown ale. :flushed:
     
    #9 HorseheadsHophead, Nov 3, 2015
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  10. hopnado

    hopnado Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2014 Michigan

    Is Flying Dog's Pearl Necklace still around?
     
    #10 hopnado, Nov 3, 2015
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  11. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    That was Dogfish Head's Golden Shower (later "Golden Era") - supposedly so named in reaction to the TTB knocking down DFH's previous name, "Prescription Pils" based on the regulation that prohibits "any statement related to health (other than the warning statement required by §16.21 of this chapter) and includes statements of a curative or therapeutic nature that, expressly or by implication, suggest a relationship between the consumption of alcohol, malt beverages, or any substance found within the malt beverage, and health benefits or effects on health." on beer labels.

    IIRC, Calagione has always been rather vague if GS was actually later rejected by the TTB after getting its initial COLA (or by some state regulatory body) or he simply thought better of it.
     
    #11 jesskidden, Nov 3, 2015
  12. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    Yep, and still not censored. It's probably the only label and beer I like from Flying Dog.
     
    #12 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Nov 3, 2015
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  13. captaincoffee

    captaincoffee Pooh-Bah (2,218) Jul 10, 2011 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Obviously, they think an artistic rendering of an adult woman is wrong, but (to the delight of *********s throughout Korea) gazing longingly at a peeing toddler is just dandy. On the bright side, they didn't jail the importer for a year and threaten a thousand lashes like they would in Saudi.
     
    #13 captaincoffee, Nov 3, 2015
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  14. utopiajane

    utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    #14 utopiajane, Nov 3, 2015
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  15. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    The blue dress was for America first, though I think they were able to say it was from a local artist and get it approved (haven't seen any bottles around here for a long time), someone who has bought a bottle in the last 5 years can say what it looks like today.
    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/388/2557/

    The Classic gueze label for the US is different from the Bio, but those are the same beer. Part of that is due to different US regulations for organic products. I don't know if Manneken Pis would run into the US puritanical sensibilities.
    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/388/11888/
    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/388/1703/
     
    #15 hopfenunmaltz, Nov 3, 2015
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  16. amano_h

    amano_h Maven (1,459) Mar 18, 2014 Oregon

    No wonder it lined up almost pefectly!

    I've actually been able to try the "Classic Gueze" (yellow label) while living in Pennsylvania and I got to try the 100% Bio in Japan where it is regularly imported. I didn't remember either of them tasting any different and thought I was going crazy. Thank you for clearing it up.
     
    #16 amano_h, Nov 3, 2015
  17. The_Kriek_Freak

    The_Kriek_Freak Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,217) Aug 18, 2014 Greenland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The quoted photo above is from yesterday's WBAYDN, and posted by a BA from Quebec. No way this would be allowed in the US (and Korea I'm guessing).
     
    #17 The_Kriek_Freak, Nov 3, 2015
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  18. MistaRyte

    MistaRyte Pooh-Bah (2,681) Jan 14, 2008 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What? It's an oyster stout... oyster, pearls... I don't understand. </sarcasm>
     
    #18 MistaRyte, Nov 3, 2015
  19. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    Local brewery Mobcraft had a censor recently.
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    #19 Ri0, Nov 3, 2015
  20. TheDoctor

    TheDoctor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,484) Mar 7, 2013 Canada (QC)
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Due to the cigarette or the breasts? You can't really see it, but she even has orange pubic hair showing. :grimacing:
     
    #20 TheDoctor, Nov 3, 2015
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