By Suzanne Kelly.
February 4, 2014 – BrewDog launches the world’s first protest beer – ‘Hello My Name is Vladimir’. Within 24 hours the flagship Aberdeen bar had completely sold out of its stock of ‘Vladimir’ both bottled and draft beer.
“Hello My Name is Vladimir mocks Putin’s discriminatory legislation ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi”
Scottish craft brewery, BrewDog has today launched Hello My Name is Vladimir, a craft beer apparently ‘not for gays’ that carries an image of the Russian premier wearing make up on the label.
The ale is the world’s first ‘protest beer’, aiming to support LGBT communities by undermining the potential of the Winter Olympics to deflect attention from Russia’s recent law banning ‘homosexual propaganda’.
- 50 per cent of profits from the sale of Hello My Name is Vladimir will be donated directly to charities that represent oppressed minorities around the world.
- BrewDog has also sent a case of the limited edition beer to President Putin himself.
- Hello My Name is Vladimir is a 8.2% ABV double IPA containing Limonnik berries, an ingredient regarded by some Russian hunters to enhance sexual performance in men.
- As well as claiming the beer is ‘not for gays’, the label carries a garish Warhol-style image of Putin wearing eye shadow and lipstick and suggests the beer ‘may contain traces of sarcasm’.
- The Putin-inspired double IPA is the latest in a long line of BrewDog beers making an impact during major events. In 2012, the brewer launched Never Mind the Anabolics, a beer laced with steroids, mocking Heineken’s sponsorship of the Olympic Games in London, whilst in 2011 BrewDog’s Royal Virility Performance beer was laced with herbal Viagra to mark the Royal Wedding and ‘take the wheels off the bandwagon’ being ridden by breweries manufacturing saccharine celebratory beers.
- Hello My Name is Vladimir will be available for £2.89 per bottle in all BrewDog bars and brewdog.com from 4th February 2014.
- BrewDog is trying to mount global social media pressure on Putin using the dedicated hashtag #NotForGays
James Watt, BrewDog co-founder commented:
“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.”
“As Hello My Name is Vladimir is clearly marked ‘not for gays’ we should bypass the legislation introduced by Putin outlawing supposed ‘homosexual propaganda’, so Vlad shouldn’t have an issue with it.
“He might even invite us to ride bareback with him in the Siberian mountains.”
“It’s been our mission at BrewDog to upend the status quo in whatever form it occurs.
“Whether it’s the stranglehold the mega brewers have had on beer production in Europe over the last 50 years, or in the case of Russia, the sick legislation that discriminates against millions of its citizens.
“Our core beliefs of freedom, integrity and passion drive all our actions. Since we started in 2007, we’ve always striven to strike fear at the heart of the gatekeepers and establishment, the launch of Hello My Name is Vladimir is simply a continuation of that tradition.”
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I’ve never had a Limonnik berry, I wonder what it tastes like. I was quite upset at this video, the fur coat better be faux fur.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6RID82Ru-k
that is some video Sean – I too hope the fur is fake (bet it is). On the subject of BrewDog, they have a series ‘Hello my name is…’ which has included Ingrid, Sonja and Mette Marit – and now Hello my name is Vladimir. Each has a major berry infusion; cloudberries, blueberries, etc. My favourite was the Sonja until I tasted the Vlad. Once you’ve had Vlad, there is no going back. If it’s not back in the bar soon, it can be ordered online. (yes, I have shares -5 now – bought over time when I saved my pennies. I love beer, I love they way they do beer and their style. I love how they’ve changed the game and how they’re employing a couple hundred people.)
All Russia have done is outlaw promoting homosexuality to minors, I dont get what the big deal is? Most response`s are more marketing ploys than any real protest? I still dont get it 🙂 is it illegal to be gay in Russia? On the news I see gangs of ppl going around beating up gay ppl in the street, but isnt that a seperate issue? Nobody ever got beat up in this, or any other country for being gay?
I have no issue with Gay ppl, whatever floats your boat! but whats the big deal?
Hello John, I’ve attached a link or two which spell out the problems in depth. The government has painted legislation with a very broad brush for people in ‘non traditional relationships’ and the possibility of having children removed from such ‘non traditional families exists for one thing. The government seems to be fomenting an anti-gay movement. No one obviously should be beaten up in any country for their sexual orientation. Do have a look at these links for further info on this issue, but people are being denied basic human rights. Thanks for your comment
http://www.globalequality.org/newsroom/latest-news/1-in-the-news/186-the-facts-on-lgbt-rights-in-russia
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23604142
I think i`ve got it 🙂
you wont like my reasoning tho`, so will try to put it in a way that doesnt offend 🙂
Consider this scenario,
There is a Gay couple living next door, they seem/are nice ppl, they have a pet dog, they always say hello, and christmas cards are exchanged each year. The world is a happy place and everything seems/is normal. They are just another couple journeying through life best way they can, same as you.
If a Russian mob was to turn up trying to cause conflict we would all be the first to rush in and help defend them yes?
Great,
Now what if they started marching up and down the street with a megaphone telling you how great life is being different every other week, Still rosy?
When your Straight, gay ppl are easy to get on with but some of them, and I believe a small minority, feel the need to continually validate their sexuality and this can be tedious, in fact I think the “market” may be saturated
Isnt this the line being held by the Russians Gov? I`m seeing, being gay is fine, why not keep the noise down a little 🙂
Hope this doesnt offend anyone.
I cant defend removing children from loving homes tho`.. :/
This is advertising by another name – “Social Media” etc . Why is the Voice advertising beer?