Sexism in Craft Beer: Controversial Beer Label Pulled by Chicago Retailer

One Chicago retailer has opted not to sell SweetWater Brewing’s imperial stout known as “Happy Ending” over what its store manager called “sexist, borderline racist” label art, according to theChicago Tribune. The label in question depicts a clear silhouette of a geisha and a box of tissues, an apparent allusion to the seedy practice of receiving sexual favors at massage parlors. According to the article, the Binny’s Beverage Depot in Lincoln Park sent back three cases of the beer, which is packaged in 22 oz. bottles. Lakeshore Beverage, SweetWater’s wholesaler in the area, told the Tribune that no other store declined to stock the beer.

“Breweries: One thing I simply do not tolerate in my department is sexist or racist beer labels,” the store’s manager, Adam Vavrick, tweeted in light of his decision to not stock the beer. “I demand better and will not carry them.” SweetWater founder Freddy Bensch told the Tribune that the label is meant merely as a harmless joke and that he’d never heard a complaint in the beer’s 8-year run. He added, however, that the brewery would somehow remedy the situation. “We’re going to be thoughtful about it and make it right,” he said…CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AT BREWBOUND