dogfishbeer: US beer consumption in decline? Not craft beer! http://bit.ly/9pnsit
The good folks in Michigan just rejected our label submission for Bitches Brew. That's the beer we are doing with Sony to celebrate the 40th anniversary if the eponymous Miles Davis album (it'll be out towards the end of August). Apparently, they don't like the word 'bitches.' My wife Mariah says they are a bunch of @$;&ing @";&-$@bags for denying us. But that seems harsh to me. Calling an office full of state officials you don't know a bunch of "sailing canvasbags" is just crazy talk, I think (although I'm betting they can sell the album there!).
Oh well, I'm glad we got this news while on our family vacation overlooking Dogfish Head on Southport Island, Maine.
Here's a shot of the view at sunset.
Serenity now! Serenity now!
Tonight Mariah and I are going off-island! Having dinner with Rob Tod (of Allagash Brewery) and his wife Betsy. I told him we would treat in return for a case of Allagash White and a few bottles of Trippel. I'm thinking those beers will go great with our lobster bake this weekend.
We also had a nice wheat beer in a 22 from Penobscot Bay Brewery.
Wicked Gud beahs frum down east! You betcha!
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Comments
Sam,
Anything we can do over here in Michigan, we would love to help. You know Michigan is all about good music and good beer, if you are planning on trying to push it through again let us (and your friends at the higher end breweries founders, shorts, bells and the like) and we will help out from the inside. Good beer for good people!
Dominic Calzetta and Thomas Younger
Tea-One Homebrewing, Mt. Pleasant Michigan
Sam,
Please let us know who we can bitch at to get the "Bitches Brew" label through. I think it is awesome that you are honoring Miles Davis with this tribute. Seriously, let me know who to write to get this done.
Happy Trails,
Jon Droscha
home brewer
Here's the e-mail address for the Michigan liquor control commission: mlccinfo2@michigan.gov. I just sent off an e-mail asking them to reconsider.
You have the right to appeal any decision of the Commission. Unfortunately the appeal first goes to the same people who turned you down, if they even saw it. Staff tends to made these decisions. If the appeal board turns you down you have recourse to the circuit court if you want to take it that far. Let me know if I can help.
Ronnie
Michigan Licensed Beverage Association
Lansing, MI
About 15 yrs. ago Michigan was in an absolute UPROAR about the bavarian styled "Bad Frog" beer's labels. The controversy was epic. Apparently the 4 fingered frog extending its 2nd "finger" was offensive. Without an opposing thumb or a middle "finger" - I never could get my mind around the notion that this would offend anyone...it was more silly than rude.
Either way, I'd imagine its the old story of: "any publicity is good publicity' because it was the topic of everyone's conversation in most pubs/taverns for a solid year or more.
The Bad Frog eventually won...
Not sure what became of them as I haven't been back in a few years but I believe their t-shirt sales prah'lee grossed more than their beverages.
The best things are worth fighting for... maybe you could use an exclamation point or an image of a clarinet as the "I" in B!tch ??
I am a huge jazz fan and actually own the Bitches Brew album. I personally like Seven Steps to Heaven better, but the amazing creativity of the artwork for Bitches' is tough to deny. How is it the MLCC can pretend to guard the reputation of the state by not allowing this beer in, when we have no problem showing our pride for Eminem and Kid Rock, both of whom use that word and string much more misogynistic themes in their music? I will definitely contact the state with a plea to bring Bitches'Brew here.
And please accept my apologies for mentioning Miles Davis and Eminem and Kid Rock within 2 sentences of each other.
As a Michigander I am truly embarrassed. We here in MI will try to get the word out to craft beer and miles davis fans alike and get them to reconsider. Enjoy your vacation.
I apologize on behalf of everyone in our state. This is absolutely shameful.