India Post News Service
Olde Salem Brewing Company in Salem has apologized after strong protests from a large group of Indian Americans over its beer carrying the name of Lord Hanuman.
Owner Sean Turk, in a company email to Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, wrote: “…When naming our Spanish milk stout ‘Hanuman, we were unaware of the Hindu deity Hanuman. This name was purely a musical reference and had no other intent. We are reviewing options to address the situation… We apologize if this inadvertent association has offended anyone in anyway”.
Zed, who led the protest, thanked Olde Salem Brewing Company and Turk for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community which thought associating Lord Hanuman with such a product was highly insensitive.
“Lord Hanuman is highly revered in Hinduism and is worshipped in temples and home shrines and is not meant to be used in selling beer for mercantile intent,” he said.
Hanuman is known for incredible strength and was a perfect grammarian. Moksh (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism. There are about three million Hindus in the US.
The goal of Olde Salem Brewing Company, located at the heart of Salem’s Historic Main Street District, is “to make thoughtfully crafted beer worth sharing and enjoying with others”. It claims to craft “every beer in house with full-flavored and innovative tastes”. Kevin Campbell is the brewmaster.
“Hanuman” (6 per cent ABV, 32 IBU), listed under “Dark Side (Dark and Dangerous)” category of its “beers on tap”, was priced from $2.50 (4oz) to $18.00 (Growler). It used a variety of roasted malts combined with lactose, and added vanilla, cinnamon, and dried peppers.
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