Reno, Nev. (Dec. 1, 2016) — Ibosim BrewHouse microbrewery on the island of Ibiza in Spain has apologized for their Hindu deities—Shiva, Kali, Ganesha and Hanuman—beers.
In a Nov. 29 email to Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism based in Reno, Ibiza Beer Company (Ibosim Craft Beers), wrote: “In any case were our intentions to offend in any way any religious sensitivities and, if that has been the case, we offer our most sincere apologies.”
Zed, who spearheaded the protest against the beer labels, said he welcomed the brewery’s apology, calling it a step in the positive direction. Zed urged the brewery to immediately withdraw from their website the pictures of beers carrying images of Hindu deities Shiva, Kali, Ganesha and Hanuman; which was highly inappropriate.
“Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees,” Zed said.
Lord Shiva, goddess Kali, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman were highly revered in Hinduism and they were meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed, Zed said. Moreover, linking these deities with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled.
“Shiva Session Black IPA”, “Kali Session IPA”, “Ganesha Double IPA” and “Hanuman Coffee IPA” beers carrying the picture of respective Hindu deity were still visible on the website today of Ibosim BrewHouse, which calls itself “The new temple of craft beer in Ibiza”.
Claimed to be first microbrewery on the island of Ibiza, Ibosim BrewHouse produces various craft beers and claims “100 percent natural ingredients, without additives, unfiltered and natural carbonation.” Oscar Enguita and Carlos Guerrero are reportedly the founders.
Ibiza in autonomous Balearic Islands province of Spain, whose history goes back to 654 BCE, is an island in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain. The port in Ibiza Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
