Brewdog to take legal action against Portman Group

In a recent press release, which called for retailers to stop stocking Speedball, Poley said: “BrewDog is profiteering from the scourge of illegal drugs, mocking the misery caused by the issue.”

Law firm Pitmans has taken up the case on behalf of BrewDog, claiming Poley’s comments are defamatory and damaging to business – especially because the area where the company is based, Fraserburgh, has been known as a problem area for drug use.

The company is seeking a public apology, a removal of the comments, legal costs and a donation made to an alcohol abuse charity of BrewDog’s choice.

Pitmans dispute resolution consultant Oliver Smith said: “The allegations that our clients profit from illegal drugs and mock the misery caused by the misuse (or use) of illegal drugs are untrue and factually inaccurate.

“Our clients sell legal beers and take the issue of illegal drug use seriously. Mr Poley appears to seek to justify his statement on the basis that ‘the blurring of alcohol and illicit drugs fosters unhealthy attitudes to drinking and trivialises drug misuses’.

“This is not a justification for, or legal defence to, these serious allegations against our client – which have and will continue to cause them distress and damage their personal and business reputations.”

The brewer won the public backing of Top Gear star James May on the BBC’s Oz and James Drink to Britain at the end of January.

Managing director James Watt added: “It’s one thing for us to portray ourselves as a couple of fun-loving guys with a company reaching out past the traditional beer drinker. It’s another – and completely beyond the pale – to portray us as profiteering from the scourge of drugs.

“The Portman Group has been fighting with us for nine months now over labelling and marketing – only to drop three of its complaints just before Christmas. Now the complaints may have been dropped but the damage was done in terms of negative publicity and reputation before Portman dropped them.”

However, Poley today hit back at the brewer’s action. “BrewDog is trying to gag us from criticising this grossly irresponsible product. Most people will be appalled at its crass attempt to market a drink using the theme of illegal drugs,” he said.

“Instead of wasting time on futile legal action, the  company should concentrate on promoting those drinks we’ve not banned.”

BrewDog was founded in April 2007. Key to its strategy has been to promote its brand in a “fun, stylish way”, with names like Speedball, Tokyo, Paradox, Rip Tide, Trashy Blonde, Punk IPA.

Popular Articles