UK Edition
Brewery apologies after use of Hindu symbol on beer bottle sparks protest
A Hindu group who launched a fight against 'offensive' alcohol branding has had an Om beer label scrapped by a British brewery.
Congleton-based 'The Cheshire Brewhouse’ has apologised and promised to change the imagery on its Indian Pale Ale's labels after prompting complaints from world-leading Hindu statesman.
Rajan Zed objected to the brewery using a sacred 'Om' symbol on new 6.4 and 6.8 per cent 'Govinda' IPAs, describing it as "highly inappropriate".
Shane Swindells, head brewer and owner of The Cheshire Brewhouse, said he would alter the labels in the future.
Mr Swindells said: "I now understand the offence caused by using the OM on our labels and will therefore remove this from our beer labels on all future runs.
"Please accept my humble apology, not offence was ever intended."
He added he contacted the Hindu Council UK over use of the word Govinda, and was told the council had no concerns.
Mr Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, based in Nevada, has now thanked The Cheshire Brewhouse for understanding the concerns of Hindu community.
He said: "It was highly trivializing to place such a sacred symbol on a beer-bottle.
"Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents.
"It has a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously."
Earlier this year the organisation forced an apology from another UK brewer, the Wishbone Brewery in Keighley, West Yorkshire, after complaining over the naming one of its new beers after the Hindu god Ganesh.
The Hindu community believed associating 'Om' with the alcoholic beverage was highly insensitive.
It was argued the inappropriate use of Hindu symbols, concepts or deities for commercial purposes "hurt the devotees".
Govinda is another name for the Hindu god Lord Krishna.
While in Hinduism 'Om', the mystical syllable containing the universe, is used to introduce and conclude religious work.
Usually considered the most powerful mantra, 'Om' has been equated with brahman, isvara and atman.
Mr Zed stressed that Lord Krishna was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines - not used to sell beer.
Moreover, linking Lord Krishna with an alcoholic beverage was argued to be "very disrespectful."
Mr Zed added: "Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled."
The two beers which displayed the symbols on their labels were both 'Heritage' India Pale Ales priced at £5 per bottle.