‘Osama Bin Lager’ beer goes viral

A controversial beer that was named after terrorist Osama Bin Laden has sold out after going viral on social media. 

The beer is sold as part of Mitchell Brewing Co’s ‘dictator series’ which also includes Kim Jong Ale and Putin Porter.

Some on social media couldn’t believe the beer tap was real, and such was the debate about whether it was faked that popular internet fact-checking site Snopes looked into the issue.

But it was subsequently verified by the brewery itself on Facebook.

It also retweeted the original viral post on X (formerly Twitter) stating:

Our Osama bin lager spotted in the wilds of twitter (the reason we had to join twitter!) This was actually our second brew in our dictator series, but the first lager, it was only meant to be temporary but over a year later is still going strong! https://t.co/UuCdAEjPvb

— Mitchell Brewing (@BrewingMit39361) May 20, 2024

The Lincolnshire-based company told the BBC that the beer names were “all tongue-in-cheek” and it aimed to present “a nicer outlook on some horrible dictators”.

When quizzed on whether the names were offensive, co-owner of the brand Luke Mitchell, who runs the brewery and a pub with wife Catherine, said “no-one’s been offended, but I’m sure there is someone out there”.

Catherine Mitchell added: “”I think there’s always a risk of somebody being offended.”

Social media users were torn on the idea of the beer.

One posted that it was the “sort of thing you’d see, chuckle, and then immediately choose not to order.”

Another pointed to Jeremy Clarkson and said it would “give your Hawkstone a run for its money!”

But others were shocked at the branding and “lost for words”.