Micro-Brewers Having Fun With L D S -- How Offensive Is It?

[Five Solas]

Had a few minutes to kill before my bi-weekly appointment with the barber late Friday afternoon.  Bottleworks is conveniently nearby so stopped in.  As I stood amongst a vast selection of ales & lagers from around the world—I was surprised to see an LDS missionary, complete with stereotypical bike helmet, name tag, tie & white shirt.   He looked very pleased to be there.

 

No, it wasn’t an actual LDS missionary arming for a hard weekend of proselytizing.  It was a merely an image of one looking back at me from a bottle of Epic Brewing’s “Elder Brett.”  A Utah-brewed beer available for sale in Seattle—the end-times are upon us went through my mind.

 

To cut a long story short, I picked up a bottle.  My tasting notes will follow—but first I wanted to ask the board and particularly LDS posters what they think of such ribbing by local brewers (Epic isn’t the first).  Is it hate speech that should be restricted by the government?  Is it hugely offensive (e.g., as bad as making fun of someone’s underwear)?  Is it just a little obnoxious?  Is it all good fun and you appreciate the humor too?

 

Please share your thoughts.  And for any who feel sorry for LDS being picked on by micro-brewers—do know that LDS get the last laugh:  "Gentiles" who purchase Elder Brett in Utah will have to buy it stored warm from the state-run liquor store, per the laws LDS legistators have enacted.  This is a beer that will keep better/taste better outside of Utah--just where many LDS would have it. 

Erik's tasting notes

 

Pours clear and bright, for a moment I thought the label might be wrong and this was really a Pilsner.  Thin head.  Strong scent of green apple to the nose.  Taste shows its wine barrel aging, tart grapes and hint of oak.  Delicious sour notes throughout.  Compare to Reinaert Flemish Wild Ale (“Cunning Fox”).  I may have to buy this one again (unlike “Polygamy Porter”—which no one needs to try more than once).  Did not expect it to be anywhere near this good.  Outstanding work, Epic Brewing!  
 

[thesometimesaint]

Now for an Atheist Ale. Mostly foam, little substance, smells of resentments, with a strong bitter aftertaste.

[boblloyd91]

I feel that this is just an effort to be a bit tongue in cheek and, kind of like that "polygamy port" that I occasionally see at grocery stores in Utah. I think it's what brewers do to raise their profile, by raising a bit of controversy. Because I don't drink I could care less, but I suppose if I sat down and thought about it I'd be offended but I have better things to sit down and think about.

[rodheadlee]

you left out an option, well, 2 options. No big deal and this is a stupid poll. For me it's NBD.

[Sanpitch]

It does work both ways.  Consider Sterling w. Sills remark about Atheists:

 

 "Many people are presently replacing the Ten Commandments with their own version of the new morality. We have millions of practicing atheists, and we have a murder or a suicide committed every fifteen minutes around the clock."

 

I say, we have millions of practicing Christians and we have murder and suicide and other crimes around the clock. 

[Five Solas]

...kind of like that "polygamy port" ...

If you confuse port with porter, you'll be sorry one day, boblloyd91

 

I saw you wrote you don't currently drink--so you'll have to trust me on this one.  Not now, maybe not even this decade--but your day is coming.  Remember this post...

:0)

 

--Erik

Edited March 3, 2014 by Five Solas

[Five Solas]

you left out an option, well, 2 options. No big deal and this is a stupid poll. For me it's NBD.

you hurt my feelers, rodheadlee...

 

NBD falls between the 3rd & 4th options, I suppose.  Do you think a poll could be designed that would fit everyone's sentiments (without exhausting everyone's patience)? 

[halconero]

About as offensive as using a Hasidic Jew or a Muslim to sell pork.

[Five Solas]

About as offensive as using a Hasidic Jew or a Muslim to sell pork.

so what do you say, halconero?  does this rise to "hate speech" (option #1)? or is it merely highly offensive (option #2)?  or is it an offense of a minor nature (option #3)? please don't hold back--this forum deserves to know where you stand...

;0)

[Kenngo1969]

I'd like to see what would happen in, e.g., Britain, if a microbrewer were to try using a depiction of Mohammed, along with a dig about Islam on the label.  (Just kidding.)  I'm not sure playing on people's religious resentments is a good marketing strategy long-term, but it doesn't rise to the level of offensiveness of undergarment ridicule.  My principal reaction is ...

[The Nehor]

It does work both ways.  Consider Sterling w. Sills remark about Atheists:

 

 "Many people are presently replacing the Ten Commandments with their own version of the new morality. We have millions of practicing atheists, and we have a murder or a suicide committed every fifteen minutes around the clock."

 

I say, we have millions of practicing Christians and we have murder and suicide and other crimes around the clock. 

 

If we started labeling murders "Atheicides" the comparison might be meaningful.

[Five Solas]

I'd like to see what would happen in, e.g., Britain, if a microbrewer were to try using a depiction of Mohammed, along with a dig about Islam on the label.  (Just kidding.)  I'm not sure playing on people's religious resentments is a good marketing strategy long-term, but it doesn't rise to the level of offensiveness of undergarment ridicule.  My principal reaction is ...

well, said strategy got me to buy a bottle--and I'm glad I did.  not as offensive as underwear--okay, certainly not going to argue.  regarding your "principal reaction" (think you meant "princlple reaction")--the last time Britian & LDS came up, your reaction was anything but snooze.  The mods even deleted a bit of your effervescence.  trust you know what I'm talking about & don't need me to post any links (which would be good as I'm lazy & don't want to look it up/make the effort anyway)...

;0)

 

--Erik

[wenglund]

I hope we LDS don't take ourselves too seriously--i.e to the point of being offended, or give the ad campaign more attention than it deserves, which isn't much.

 

I vote a single yawn here, since it is not an option in the poll..

 

Thanks, -Wade Enlugn

[strappinglad]

As a rule established well before my time, the last poll option must always be " this is a stupid poll" . It was voted on and achieved near unanimous support even from the MWB or some such.

[halconero]

so what do you say, halconero?  does this rise to "hate speech" (option #1)? or is it merely highly offensive (option #2)?  or is it an offense of a minor nature (option #3)? please don't hold back--this forum deserves to know where you stand...

;0)

 

I'm not sure how I feel. So I abstain.

 

However, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the organized Kingdom of God on the earth, which it is, then I doubt that Christ would take kindly to this representation of his representatives.

[omni]

I don't take any offense, but I will agree there is a double standard in this country. You can get away with a lot more if it involves Mormons then you can about just about any other group. I think this says something about us that we can take the ridicule without making a big fuss.

[Storm Rider]

My reaction is that it is humor and their desire to get the market to notice them. 

 

It is interesting how some groups are perceived as reacting badly to some things. I would not advise anyone to do the same thing with a Hasidic Jew or a Muslim.  

[rodheadlee]

you hurt my feelers, rodheadlee...

 

NBD falls between the 3rd & 4th options, I suppose.  Do you think a poll could be designed that would fit everyone's sentiments (without exhausting everyone's patience)? 

This is a stupid poll is a running joke, don't take it personal. Put me down for a 3.5.

[Five Solas]

...

 

It is interesting how some groups are perceived as reacting badly to some things. I would not advise anyone to do the same thing with a Hasidic Jew...  

Guess micro-brewers must be equal-opportunity offenders.  Because here's HE'BREW ("the chosen beer")... 

http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com/HEBREW/j14.html

 

Pretty good stuff (Lenny's R.I.P.A. received 99/100 from "The Bros" on Beer Advocate--y'all better do your homework before you start criticizing this one).  If anyone's offended, they're keeping a low profile...

;0)

 

--Erik

[mfbukowski]

How about a beer promising to make you speak in tongues?  Wouldn't that be cute?

[mfbukowski]

I don't take any offense, but I will agree there is a double standard in this country. You can get away with a lot more if it involves Mormons then you can about just about any other group. I think this says something about us that we can take the ridicule without making a big fuss.

Hey - we have a whole broadway play making fun of us.

 

Can you imagine that if it was about Jews?

[slamarwi]

In a way, it is a backhanded compliment. I think it's great fun : )

[MiserereNobis]

I don't take any offense, but I will agree there is a double standard in this country. You can get away with a lot more if it involves Mormons then you can about just about any other group. I think this says something about us that we can take the ridicule without making a big fuss.

 

This applies to Catholics, too.

[Kenngo1969]

 

well, said strategy got me to buy a bottle--and I'm glad I did.  not as offensive as underwear--okay, certainly not going to argue.  regarding your "principal reaction" (think you meant "princlple reaction") . . . 

 

Trust me.  I know the difference between principal and principle.  I agree that, along with many other homonyms, users do tend to confuse them, but I used the word I meant to use.

 

the last time Britian [sic] & LDS came up, your reaction was anything but snooze.  The mods even deleted a bit of your effervescence.  

 

 

If I were you, I wouldn't crow too loudly about the mods coming down on someone else.  My understanding was that they deleted it because they felt it was off-topic, not because of my "reaction."

 

I trust you know what I'm talking about & don't need me to post any links (which would be good as I'm lazy & don't want to look it up/make the effort anyway)...

;0)

 

--Erik

 

If you want to derail your own thread, that's your business.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Kenngo1969

[Kenngo1969]

Hey - we have a whole broadway play making fun of us.

 

Can you imagine that if it was about Jews?

Or Muslims (at least, if it slandered Mohammed the way it does Joseph Smith)?