Upset Hindus are urging Sheffield (England) based Neepsend Brew Co. to apologize and withdraw its “Hanuman” beer; calling it highly inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that Lord Hanuman was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile intent. Moreover, linking Lord Hanuman with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.
In Hinduism, Lord Hanuman is known for incredible strength and was perfect grammarian.
This “Hanuman” beer (ABV 8%, DIPA) is claimed to be “our most heavily hopped beer” backed up by a “hefty bitterness”.
The idea behind the independent microbrewery Neepsend Brew Co. is stated to be “simple: no hype, no hard sell, just quietly brew the kind of beer we enjoy”. It lays “emphasis on hops” and its products are also said to be available in alehouses in Heeley, Upperthorpe, Shalesmoor areas of Sheffield; and other outlets nationwide. Gavin is the head brewer.