The Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement has been accused of censorship by beer distributor, Shelton Brothers, for barring them from selling a new beer with a label that depicts Santa holding a pint of brew. I’m thinking the fact that the beer is called Santa’s Butt might have something to do with it too, although that doesn’t seem to be part of the complaint.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit contending the state’s actions violate the First Amendment by censoring artistic expression. The state says the label might appeal to children and an MCLU staff attorney says “There is no good reason for the state to censor art, even art found on a beer label.”

The label illustration for the English-made Santa’s Butt Winter Porter was painted by Massachusetts artist, Gary A. Lippincott and depicts a rear view of a beer-drinking Santa sitting on a barrel. The beer’s name refers not only to Santa’s ample posterior, but also to the barrel he’s sitting on. In merry old England, the barrel that brewers used to store beer was once referred to as a ‘butt’.

As most of you know by now, I have a hard time supporting any censorship of free speech, and although in this case I’m not sure I want to try explaining to my kids why someone appears to be making fun of Santa’s butt or why he’s drinking beer, I think the state’s case is ridiculous. It seems to me they’re saying that a beer label depicting Santa drinking beer will make kids want to drink beer. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it also stand to reason that seeing ‘dad’ drinking a beer might make our kids want to drink beer, too?

Somehow I think I have a stronger influence on my kids than Santa does, and just like anything else, it’s my responsibility as a parent to teach my children that there are some things that adults are allowed to do that they aren’t.

On a side note, I’d have to say that I’m not too sure I’d be interested in drinking a beer called Santa’s Butt anyway.

Source: Associated Press

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