'Kali-ma' beer sparks fury, American brewery apologises

US, May 16: An

brewery company has apologised over naming a beer after

goddess 'Kali' and said that it would soon rename the product.

"In response to pleas from the Hindu community, we have decided to postpone the limited release of "Kali-ma" our imperial wheat ale flavoured with Indian spices and Scotch-Bonnet peppers," said the company Burnside Brewing Co in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

"It is NEVER our intention at Burnside to offend or alienate any race, creed, religion or sexual orientation. The inspiration for the beer label simply came from a favourite childhood movie in the "Indiana Jones" series and we were unaware that it could be offensive to anyone," it said.

"We are currently scrambling to rename the beer and intend to release it soon afterwards. To those who have been patiently waiting, we humbly ask that you wait just a little longer and to anyone we have offended we sincerely apologise," said Burnside Brewing Co.

The beer Kali-ma which was to be launched on Tuesday, will now be launched after the company finds another name for the beverage.

Kali-ma was announced as a spiced wheat ale involving fenugreek, cardamom, cumin, peppers etc, and also had a picture of Goddess Kali.

"Summon US Ambassador to India ... and make him apologise for this," said Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP, who raised the issue during zero hour.

"The advertisement for the beer read 'Come worship the black one Kali as the ultimate reality or Brahman' ... with a picture of the Goddess. Earlier also a picture of Goddess Laxmi was displayed in a toilet...picture of God was put on bra...Lord Ganesha was displayed as a sex object in a talk show," he said.

The issue was first brought to light by Rajan Zed, Nevada-based Hindu activist, who welcomed the move.

OneIndia News