Breaking News: Flying Dog is suing Michigan

[McMalty]

So Michigan banned the sale of Flying Dog's Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA last year when it debuted. As of today, Flying Dog has "filed suit in U.S. District Court on Friday to overturn the Michigan Liquor Control Commission’s ban on the sale of the company’s best-selling beer" and "The suit also seeks to recover damages from the loss of Flying Dog sales under the statewide ban, which the Commission issued based on its members’ personal distaste for Raging Bitch’s labeling."

Personally, I think it's ridiculous that Michigan has banned this beer. The label is from a drawing by Ralph Steadman, all of his labels look like that, it's a crazy drawing of a dog. The fact that is says raging bitch shouldn't be an issue, i don't believe the word "bitch" is censored, especially not when it's referencing a female dog, which is the case here. There's even a beer out there called "Blonde Bitch" with the picture of a blond women on the label.....so, i don't see why Raging Bitch is such big deal. I know that a lot of you from MI would love to have this beer sold there. What are your thoughts?

 

[two_hearted]

Wow, a lot of suing and C&D stuff happening lately. While I think its a little backwards that a State not accept a product because of the word "bitch" (specially when it cannot be sold to people under 21), I do think it is a little much to "recover damages."

I would fight hard to get my beer sold in as many places as possible. But it wouldn't be all about the money.

 

[McMalty]

Wow, a lot of suing and C&D stuff happening lately. While I think its a little backwards that a State not accept a product because of the word "bitch" (specially when it cannot be sold to people under 21), I do think it is a little much to "recover damages."

I would fight hard to get my beer sold in as many places as possible. But it wouldn't be all about the money.

I don't really think it's all about the money for Flying Dog. I think they just got really pissed off when Michigan banned Raging Bitch and now they're being spiteful

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I can see both sides of this. I'm not a big fan of Raging Bitch, so I could care less, but it sucks they're being held back.

At the same time, "bitch" is still concidered a swear word by most people. The fact that TV doesn't censor it just shows how loose TV restrictions have become. I don't mind...but I know a lot of people find it tasteless.

That's exactly how I feel about a lot of Flying Dog's beers. I think when a company markets beers like in-heat, raging bitch, and doggy style...they're kind of asking for it. I wouldn't call Flying Dog the most classy brewery...but then again, beer isn't classy.

Even their website is pretty edgy. The first thing I saw was "raging bitch: if you're lucky, your bitch will look this good after 20 years." Tell me that's not deliberately walking a fine line between vulgar and not. It goes along with the whole "hunter s. thompson" look the company has going.

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

What the Hell? I live in a state full of idiots!

Seems stupid considering they sell Dirty Bastard everywhere.

http://www.foundersbrewing.com/the-lineup/dirty-bastard

Oh, and don't forget Kid Rock's Badass beer.

 

[marcycaulkins]

(specially when it cannot be sold to people under 21),

A very good point

 

[wolverinebrewer]

So Michigan banned the sale of Flying Dog's Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA last year when it debuted. As of today, Flying Dog has "filed suit in U.S. District Court on Friday to overturn the Michigan Liquor Control Commission’s ban on the sale of the company’s best-selling beer" and "The suit also seeks to recover damages from the loss of Flying Dog sales under the statewide ban, which the Commission issued based on its members’ personal distaste for Raging Bitch’s labeling."

I know that a lot of you from MI would love to have this beer sold there. What are your thoughts?

It's because the nanny-state central planners in government have to look out for me because they think I'm too stupid to be able to decide on my own what is vulgar or not. It's BS. Now you got me all fired up!!

 

[iaefebs]

What the Hell? I live in a state full of idiots!

State of MI wouldn't let DFH sell ******* Brew either.

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

Yeah, they are protecting us because a beer label is "detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the general public.”

State of MI wouldn't let DFH sell ******* Brew either.

Must have had something to do with our Raging Bitch ex governer.

 

[McMalty]

What the Hell? I live in a state full of idiots!

Seems stupid considering they sell Dirty Bastard everywhere.

http://www.foundersbrewing.com/the-lineup/dirty-bastard

Oh, and don't forget Kid Rock's Badass beer.

Do they sell Stone's Arrogant Bastard in MI as well?

 

[payton34]

if flying dog was brewed in michigan there would be no issues. someone on the commision is protecting michigan breweries

 

[MeatyPortion]

Not a fan of Raging Bitch (not a fan of Belgian IPAs) but Michigan is retarded for banning something like that. Like that beer being sold is really the reason that state sucks.

 

[payton34]

arrogant bastard is sold here along with founders dirty bastard. if founders didn't have a bastard they probably wouldn't let stone have one

 

[McMalty]

I can see both sides of this. I'm not a big fan of Raging Bitch, so I could care less, but it sucks they're being held back.

At the same time, "bitch" is still concidered a swear word by most people. The fact that TV doesn't censor it just shows how loose TV restrictions have become. I don't mind...but I know a lot of people find it tasteless.

That's exactly how I feel about a lot of Flying Dog's beers. I think when a company markets beers like in-heat, raging bitch, and doggy style...they're kind of asking for it. I wouldn't call Flying Dog the most classy brewery...but then again, beer isn't classy.

Even their website is pretty edgy. The first thing I saw was "raging bitch: if you're lucky, your bitch will look this good after 20 years." Tell me that's not deliberately walking a fine line between vulgar and not. It goes along with the whole "hunter s. thompson" look the company has going.

I argue that beer IS classy so long as it's not shotgunned or bonged or keg standed or is any beer from BMC. Maybe not all beer looks "classy" but it's hard to argue that a goblet full of Duvel (for example) is without class. Hell, they sell wine in a box, which is not classy, but the entire wine industry is not labeled as such.

raging bitch is there 20th anniversary brew, so "raging bitch: if you're lucky, your bitch will look this good after 20 years" falls in line with the brewery's sense of humor which is intentionally edgy, which appeals to a lot of people. I think it's brilliant. I think their marketing scheme sells a lot of beer.

 

[McMalty]

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110328006083/en/Raging-Bitch-Beer-Ban-Spurs-Flying-Dog

 

[wolverinebrewer]

arrogant bastard is sold here along with founders dirty bastard. if founders didn't have a bastard they probably wouldn't let stone have one

Don't forget Double Bastard and Lukcy Basartd!!

 

[BeerWars]

Did the state have an objection with the name of the beer or the engorged vagina on the dog?

 

[Rockape66]

I bet "Little Sumpin' Ale" and "Ol' Leghumper" are also sold in MI. I don't think the damages claim by Flying Dog is just for spite, but to recoup legal costs of the law suit. Go Flying Dog!:rockin:

 

[two_hearted]

How about the town of Hell, Michigan. Their website says things like "Come to hell" "One hell of a weekend"

 

[iaefebs]

Not a fan of Raging Bitch (not a fan of Belgian IPAs) but Michigan is retarded for banning something like that. Like that beer being sold is really the reason that state sucks.

Now settle down. Our state doesn't suck. This is just a situation where a small group of people have control over bottle labeling in this state. I can see where someone on the label board has a problem with the word bitch, (but not the word Bastard) and won't approve the label. The law reads:

Pursuant to Rule 436.1611 and Rule 436.1719, all beer, wine and mixed spirit drink products sold in Michigan must have label approval from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB), and must be approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission prior to the alcoholic beverage product being offered for sale in Michigan.

The contact person information is.

Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Teresa Whitehead
Manufacturers & Wholesalers Section
P.O. Box 30005
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 322-1415 (517) 322-5046 (fax)
[email protected]

Probably just a coincidence.

 

[BeerWars]

Now settle down. Our state doesn't suck. This is just a situation where a small group of people have control over bottle labeling in this state. I can see where someone on the label board has a problem with the word bitch, (but not the word Bastard) and won't approve the label. The law reads:

Pursuant to Rule 436.1611 and Rule 436.1719, all beer, wine and mixed spirit drink products sold in Michigan must have label approval from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB), and must be approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission prior to the alcoholic beverage product being offered for sale in Michigan.

So is it the word "bitch" or the swollen humanized vagina on the dog that they find objectionable?

Biggest example I could find:

 

[Mustangfreak]

Thanks for posting that extra large pic.