A brewery has launched a low alcohol beer called Nanny State after being branded irresponsible for creating the UK’s “strongest beer”.
Scottish brewer BrewDog, of Fraserburgh, was criticised for Tokyo* which has an alcohol content of 18.2%. (…)
BrewDog founder James Watt explained on his blog: “Anyone who knows BrewDog, knows beer, or anyone has more common sense than a common (or garden) gnome will know that the scathing and unrelenting criticism we faced was pretty unjustified.
“If logic serves the same people who witch-hunted and publicly slated us should now offer us heartfelt support and public congratulations.
“However I fear that this, unfortunately, is an arena devoid of logic and reason.” (…)
Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said of the new Nanny State beer: “This is a positive move which proves that low strength doesn’t compromise quality.
“However the name of the beer proves that once again this company is failing to acknowledge the seriousness of the alcohol problem facing Scotland.”
BrewDog’s blog post is here. They don’t seem to ship outside the UK, but Brits can buy Tokyo* here and Nanny State here.
Also, I hereby double dare The Epic Brewing Company to make an 18.2% or stronger beer. I will consume some without imposing external costs on others. You will be labelled irresponsible and get some free publicity. Geoffrey Palmer will be filled with righteous anger. Everybody wins.
Filed under: paternalism | Tagged: alcohol, beer, healthism, marketing, nanny state, paternalism |
Brad Taylor's Blog 
[…] Brewery launches low-alcohol beer, calls it Nanny State (Brad Taylor’s Blog) A brewery has launched a low alcohol beer called Nanny State after being branded irresponsible for creating the UK’s “strongest beer”. […]
I have a malted barley drink at home that is 40% abv! I think the kids call it Chivas Regal. Seriously, Scotland seems to be the place to go if you’re a neo-prohibitionist, finger-wager. They keep bitching about the beer, but lord only knows how they handle their country being the home of Whiskey.
I did my bit recently by homebrewing some 8% imperial IPA.
Most of the English-speaking world seems pretty good for neo-prohibitionists these days.
8%, eh? You’ve only got another 10.2% to go, then! Keep trying.
Also, you might like this.
Getting above 14% would be a challenge for the average homebrewer (and brewer) – you need special yeast strains and techniques to keep the yeast working.
I would however be happy to think of some names that associate my homebrew with sex and violence – ‘Hail Mary’s Rimjob Hop Massacre’ for example.
[…] Brad Taylor BrewDog, the Scottish brewing company behind the 18.2% ABV Tokyo* and the low alcohol Nanny State have revealed their newest brew: Tactical Nuclear Penguin, weighing in at a mighty 32% alcohol! […]
[…] “think of the children” appeals and “Big Brother knows best” assertions, BrewDog brewed up a political statement with their Nanny State, a low alcohol beer, and explained: Anyone who knows BrewDog, knows beer, or […]
[…] Brad Taylor notes that Brew Dog has come back from its scrap with the Brit regulators by releasing a low alcohol beer called “Nanny State”. Excellent. Taylor double-dog dares Luke Nicholas to brew a beer as offensive as Brew Dog’s “Tokyo” (18%). If anybody would do it here, it would be Nicholas… […]