SOCHI, Russia – Here’s something they’re probably not serving in the Sochi Olympic venues: Vladimir Putin protest beer.
The “homosexual propaganda” law passed by the Russian government, criminalizing any discussion of LGBT rights or lifestyle with minors, has been decried worldwide as discriminatory.
Russian President Putin maintains that the law is limited: “No ban on nontraditional sexual relations. We have a ban on propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia.” But international protests have preceded the Winter Games and are expected to continue through the Olympics.
Now, that outrage has manifested as a limited edition beverage that British brewery BrewDog touts as “the world’s first protest beer.”
According to BrewDog, the limited edition “Hello My Name is Vladimir” beer was released as a satirical way to ensure that “the sick legislation that discriminates against millions of its citizens” aren’t overshadowed by the Sochi Games. It has a cheeky description of the beer on the back, a “not for gays” disclaimer on the label, which features Putin in makeup on an Andy Warhol parody.
It also has a charitable aim, as 50 percent of the profits from sales of the beer will be donated “to charities that represent the oppressed around the world.”
Via The Gay UK, James Watt, BrewDog co-founder, said:
“We sincerely hope that when Vladimir Putin is tired from a busy day riding horses with his top off, grappling with burly men on the Judo mat or fishing in his Speedos, he reclines on a velvet chaise longue and has one of his handsome helpers wet his whistle with a glass of Hello My Name is Vladimir.”
Here’s a news report on the beer’s release:
The beer retails for $4.72 (US) per bottle. And yes, they’ve shipped out a case to Putin’s office in Moscow.