Portman Group bans beer for promoting lethal drug mix

The drinks body’s Independent Complaints Panel upheld a complaint from Alcohol Focus Scotland that Speedball beer’s marketing was associated with illegal drugs.

The drink had been marketed by its producer as a “class A ale” containing “a vicious cocktail of ingredients” which created a “happy-sad” effect.

Davis Poley, Portman Group chief executive, said: “The blurring of alcohol and illicit drugs fosters unhealthy attitudes to drinking and trivialises drug misuse.

“BrewDog is profiteering from the scourge of illegal drugs, mocking the misery caused by misuse. The company is seriously misguided in its claim to be educating and preventing people for misusing drugs.”

BrewDog was unavailable to comment.

BrewDog’s case will be highlighted in tonight’s episode of Oz and James Drink to Britain, which will be screened on BBC2 at 8pm.

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