Brewdog scraps plans for 'pro Trump' beer giveaway

The Scottish brewer, known for its numerous publicity stunts, was about to embark on ‘Scofflaw week at Brewdog’, with the US brewer’s owners coming to UK for a meet the brewer and tap takeover at its Brewdog bars.

The first was due to take place on 29 September at Brewdog Shoreditch, followed by events in Soho, Shepherds Bush, Tower Hill, Manchester and Leeds where Scofflaw beer would be served for free - but only to Trump supporters.

In a press release, Scofflaw, which describes itself as the ‘self confessed trailer trash brewery’, says it intends to get the UK “beered up redneck style completely free of charge. But there is a hook...you have to be a Trump supporter.”

However, in what appears to be a response to outrage at the Brewdog’s tie-up with Scofflaw, Brewdog has said that the event will no longer happen. In a reply to tweets on the subject, including from one from Eater London editor Adam Coghlan, the brewer wrote: “we did not know anything about this. We are cancelling the events and are sending all of the beer back – Scofflaw beer won’t be available in our bars.”

Hi Adam, we did not know anything about this. We are cancelling the events and are sending all of the beer back – Scofflaw beer won't be available in our bars.

— BrewDog (@BrewDog) September 27, 2018

In a further tweet the brewer said: "The Scofflaw release was announced without our knowledge or consent. We are in no way aligned with their position and we will of course be cancelling all the events and sending all of the beer back. We care about beer and people. Not hate."

The Aberdeen-based brewer has previously collaborated with Scofflaw on its Double A beer - ‘a kick-ass 9.5% abv Double IPA’ - which was launched in May this year.