'Osama Bin Lager' beer craze hits UK, brewery temporarily closes online sales due to excess demand

A beer named after terrorist Osama Bin Laden has caused a stir in the UK, with the brewery behind it temporarily shutting down its website due to overwhelming demand. The beer, named Osama Bin Lager, is part of a collection by Mitchell Brewing Co., which also includes Kim Jong Ale and Putin Porter, all featuring tongue-in-cheek names related to dictators.

"We've woken up the last couple of mornings with thousands and thousands and thousands of notifications," co-owner Mitchell said, highlighting the viral nature of the beer's popularity.

The beer's label, featuring a cartoon caricature of Bin Laden, has garnered significant attention on social media, with millions of views. Despite the controversial nature of naming a beer after a terrorist, Mitchell Brewing Co. has not received widespread criticism.


"They're all tongue-in-cheek names – a nicer outlook on some horrible dictators," Mitchell told BBC, defending the naming choice.

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Discussing the potential for offense, Mitchell acknowledged the risk but noted, "As far as I'm aware, no one's been offended, but I'm sure there is someone out there." His wife, Catherine Mitchell, also a co-owner, added, "I think there's always a risk of somebody being offended."

The beer, described as a "light refreshing lager with a hint of citrus taste," has been labeled by the company as their "most popular production." Each barrel of Osama Bin Lager contributes 10 euros to a charity supporting the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The brewery's decision to donate a portion of the profits to charity aims to balance the light-hearted nature of the naming with a commitment to acknowledging the serious impact of terrorism.

The Mitchell Brewing Co.'s unique approach to naming its beers has sparked a conversation about the boundaries of humor and offense, highlighting the complexities of addressing sensitive topics in consumer products.