Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Miller Makes Concessions; Boycott Ends; Crack Open a Leinies or an MGD!

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Catholic League president Bill Donohue explained today why the protest of the Miller Brewing Company has ended:

“From the beginning of the Folsom Street Fair controversy, the position of the Catholic League has been that it was insufficient for the Miller Brewing Company to simply apologize for the misappropriation of its logo on an offensive Last Supper promotional poster. What we wanted was an acknowledgment that there were other extremely disturbing anti-Catholic aspects to this event. We have now secured that missing piece. Miller is now saying that following a review of what happened, ‘we are aware of other disrespectful activities, objects and groups associated with or present at the fair which, like the promotional poster, violate our marketing policies. We extend our original apology to include these unfortunate events and items as well.’

“This has been a team effort. We are particularly grateful for the support that several bishops and ad hoc groups have shown, especially the wonderful people in Michigan’s Chaldean community.

“The Catholic League is happy that Miller has reconsidered this ugly issue and has no plans to revisit it again. Accordingly, the boycott is off. So, too, is our anti-Miller PR campaign. There may very well be a follow-up meeting with the principals to this controversy; we welcome such an opportunity to convey our concerns to the Miller brass.

Now it’s time for everyone who enjoys Miller beer to resume consumption again.” Catholic League

7 comments:

Vincenzo said...

"Now it’s time for everyone who enjoys Miller beer to resume consumption again."

I made goulash out of it (it was the only kind in the fridge). I wish I had some Czechoslovakian (real) Budweiser instead though.

Unknown said...

I've never had the "real" Bud. But I have become a big fan of St. Pauli Girl. I like that "hoppy" taste.

There's a local craft beer here called Summit that does a decent job of recreating the real beer taste.

Anonymous said...

But Anheuser Busch won't let them sell "real" Budweiser as "Budweiser"
They have to call it Czechvar here in the US to avoid legal action by A-B

BTW Summit IPA rocks!

Dave

Sanctus Belle said...

uh...I'm a Coors Light girl myself! :)

Vincenzo said...

"But Anheuser Busch won't let them sell "real" Budweiser as "Budweiser"
They have to call it Czechvar here in the US to avoid legal action by A-B"

It's weird that Budweiser/Budvar chose AB to distribute (as of 2007) Czechvar in the U.S. (while trademark disputes continue to exist):
Link

Unknown said...

Anon.
BTW Summit IPA rocks!

I'll pass the word, Anon., I happen to see the Chairman of Summit's board at a regular meeting. He and his wife are strong Catholics of many years' standing.

And I'll have to try the India Pale Ale myself. I haven't yet.


Vincenzo:
It's weird that Budweiser/Budvar chose AB to distribute (as of 2007) Czechvar in the U.S.

I suppose Bud of St. Louis has a fabulous distribution program that gets Czechvar into every major market with minimum effort on their part.

I have a wonderful newspaper description of the opening of a saloon in the 1890s in Duluth where "Bud of St. Louis" was the house brew.

In those days, anybody with 200 bucks could get a local brewer to set him up as a saloon-keeper as long as the brewer had an "exclusive."

Vincenzo said...

"In those days, anybody with 200 bucks could get a local brewer to set him up as a saloon-keeper as long as the brewer had an 'exclusive.'

Interesting. You should try Czechvar. It's good.