A new beer to be released from Burnside Brewing in Portland, OR has evoked some distress among Hindus. A new imperial wheaten ale with spices dubbed “Kali-Ma” is set to be released in bottles on Tuesday May 15. According to Burnside, the beer “is inspired by the Hindu goddess and her tribute in the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The name Kali comes from k?la, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali-Ma the beer is an Imperial wheat ale or wheat wine made with toasted cardamom, fenugreek, and cumin spices added in addition to almost 400 pounds of apricot. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast harvested from Upright Brewing. We then dry hop it with 8 pounds of scotch bonnet and native India dandicut peppers.”
Rajan Zed, an Indo-American and Hindu statesman, President of Universal Society of Hinduism and Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, released an official press release denouncing Burnside’s thematic limited release. The release outlined negative connotations and impacts associated with the beer, deeming it as “inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.” Such controversy might potentially lead to a reaction by Burnside, but will likely result in more attention for the brewery and their beer, potentially making the beer even more coveted by some. Here’s an official press release sent today by Zed: Read More…
Posted under beer news, beer releases
This post was written by Angelo on May 11, 2012

























