Brewery pulls beers over offensive and inappropriate packaging

A Welsh brewery has been rapped by regulators for a third time over packaging that was both offensive and likely to appeal to underage drinkers.

Tiny Rebel Brewing, based in Newport,  also breached Portman Group rules on clearly marketing drinks as alcoholic.

The regulator had received complaints from the Metropolitan Police, Alcohol Focus Scotland and a member of the public, leading it to review eight beers – upholding complaints against six.

A beer called Bump ‘n’ Grind was ruled to have had a “direct association with sexual activity”, while Cherry Bomb was said to have displayed elements associated with soft drinks, rather than alcoholic ones.

Original Nutta’s name and imagery was “likely to be taken as a derogatory reference to mental illness and was likely to cause serious offence,” while No Capes and the four-pack for Clwb Tropicana breached codes of practice on not appealing to under-18s.

Double 99 also breached the same rule and the panel also ruled it “encouraged immoderate consumption” of alcohol.

‘Need to avoid offence’

Panel chairwoman Nicola Williams said: “Tiny Rebel’s product range has had problems across a range of areas, but in particular with designs that have a particular appeal to under-18s, although this has not been its intention.

“It is essential that alcoholic products are aimed squarely at adults and clearly communicate their alcoholic nature.

“Equally importantly is the need to avoid widespread offence, particularly around mental health.”

The brewer said it had voluntarily stopped making Bump ‘n’ Grind, Cherry Bomb, No Capes and Original Nuttah, while working to resolve packaging issues with the other two beers.

Tiny Rebel Brewing was founded in 2012 by Brad Cummings and Gazz Williams, quickly growing from a garage industry to having a brewery in the city and bars in Cardiff and Newport.

A brewery spokesman said: “At Tiny Rebel we take all consumer complaints very seriously, as well as our wider social responsibility.

“We’ll continue to work closely with the Portman Group and are committed to following their guidance.”

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