British beer ‘ban’ at the Olympics leaves a bad taste for MP
An MP condemns curbs on local beer at the London 2012 Olympics claiming it is “totally at odds” with the Games’ emphasis on British character.
The only branded beer on sale at venues for the Games will be produced by the Dutch brewer Heineken, which Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland said was a “wholly inappropriate decision”.
Two of the brands that the brewing giant will sell at the Olympics – John Smith’s bitter and Strongbow cider – are made in the UK. But the lager brand Heineken is imported from the Netherlands.
Mr Mulholland, the leader of a parliamentary campaign to save British pubs, said: “A British brewed beer would be far more appropriate than a Dutch beer for the London Olympic Games.”
Spectators at Olympic venues, including Wembley and Lords Cricket Ground, will pay £4.20 for a 330ml bottle of the lager.
A Commons motion tabled by the Leeds North West MP said: “This House expresses its disappointment that Heineken lager, a mass produced non-British beer, has been chosen as the official beer of the London 2012 Olympics, despite beer being the UK’s national drink and with the UK being one of the world’s leading brewing nations.”
Logistical challenge
The motion said it was a “wholly inappropriate decision based purely on the size of Heineken’s cheque book, and totally at odds with the strong emphasis on British character and identity at the heart of both the original bid and the preparations for the forthcoming London Games”.
A Heineken spokesman said: “As the UK’s leading beer and cider business, Heineken is proud to have been chosen as an official supplier and partner to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, building on an association that goes back 20 years.”
Heineken employs 2,500 people in the UK, many of whom previously worked for Scottish and Newcastle, which the brewing giant has taken over.
The Dutch brewery added that its scale allows it to meet the logistical challenge of supplying the 45 licensed venues that will host the 2012 London Games.
“We are unequivocally committed to the responsible marketing of our beers and ciders and our long track record of sponsoring international sporting events like the Heineken Cup, Uefa Champions League and the Rugby World Cup bears testimony to this,” the spokesman added.