Beer removed from pub over ‘outdated’ and ‘nasty’ pump clip row

29-Aug-2018 - Last updated on 31-Aug-2018 at 08:40 GMT

Taken down: the Horsham pub has removed the beer from its drinks offer (image credit: Richard Rogerson)

A West Sussex pub has withdrawn a beer from its bar after a dispute about the brew’s branding, which featured a woman on the pump clip.

Beer Goggles from Elgood’s Brewery shows an old woman on the clip but when it is turned upside down, it has a younger looking woman.

The Kings Arms in Horsham had been serving the beer but recently confirmed on Twitter that it had been removed.

Twitter account WikiSussexPubs posted images of the pump clip and said: “Elgood’s Brewery’s ‘Beer Goggles’. A great pint and just the best pump clip I have seen in ages!”

Amethyst Heels replied with: “It took me a while to understand this and now I really wish I hadn’t bothered. Nasty, sexist and not at all funny.”

Another user claimed the pump clip “belongs in the '70s alongside the likes of Benny Hill”.

Caused upset

It took me a while to understand this and now I really wish I hadn’t bothered. Nasty, sexist and not at all funny
— Amethyst Heels (@amethyst_heels) August 25, 2018

The pub issued a statement on Twitter, which said: “Official Kings Arms comment… we notice that a pump clip on show in our pub seems to have caused upset.

“Our interests lie in selling good beer to all with cheer, as long as your (sic) between 18 and 118, you’re welcome. This pump clip or beer will not feature on our bar again!”

Official Kings Arms comment...we notice that a pump clip on show in our pub seems to have caused upset. Our interests lie in selling Good Beer to all with cheer, as long as your between 18 and 118 you're Welcome. This pump clip or beer will not feature on our bar again! https://t.co/nU97kFozH0
— King’s Arms, Horsham (@kingsarmsRH12) August 27, 2018

The Morning Advertiser contacted the Kings Arms for a further comment but had not received it at the time of publication.

However, the pub’s followers responded to the statement on social media in support of the beer’s branding. Steve Large said: “Perhaps you should just exclude the easily offended?"

Old, traditional image

Another user, Chad, said: “Sell outs, theirs (sic) nothing wrong with it!”

Perhaps you should just exclude the easily offended?
— steve large (@SteveinSL) August 28, 2018

Sell outs, theirs nothing wrong with it !
— Chad (@03wilsonc) August 29, 2018

Elgood’s Brewery sales director Marcus Beecher said: “A note regarding Beer Goggles. This is a beer, and pump clip, that we have sold nationwide in 2017 and 2018 and it has been well received in the trade.

“The pump clip and name is based on an old, traditional image (somewhat older than the 1970s) and is meant to be, and is generally accepted as, a little bit of fun.

“We are a very old family brewery, owned and run by three sisters and would not seek to intentionally offend people although it is always possible to do so inadvertently.”