Charlotte brewery fined $1,000, or suspension, over ‘obscene’ beer label

Sycamore Brewing Co. in Charlotte could pay a $1,000 fine for releasing a Christmas ale wrapped in a label “depicting obscene images.”

The compromise ratified Wednesday during North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission’s meeting requires the brewery to make the penalty payment by July 2 or take a 10-day suspension, which would begin July 9. There were a total of 55 hearing cases that resulted in penalties in excess of $66,000.

According to the report, a Dec. 4 tip about Sycamore’s malt beverage “depicting obscene images” to the ABC Commission, which governs state alcohol sales, led to the investigation by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement.

At issue was the brewery’s limited release Nov. 23 of its Christmas Cookie Winter Ale with what ALE agents said was an unapproved label of Sycamore’s trademark leaf surrounded by reindeer in “various sexual positions,” according to the report.

ALE agents on Dec. 5 told co-owner Justin Brigham at the brewery’s office and cannery at 401 W. 24th St. that all labels must be submitted to the ABC Commission for approval before products can be sold, according to the ALE report. The agent also said labels with “any statement, design, device or representation which is obscene or indecent” on malt beverage labels is prohibited.

Brigham told the ALE agent he uses a Florida company to help with design and another group to submit labels. He said he didn’t realize the label had not been approved.

Four cans were taken as evidence, according to the report.

Brigham recalled cans from wholesalers to relabel them with the previously approved label that included a background of Fraser fir trees, according to the report.

Sycamore Brewing was opened in 2014 by Brigham and his wife, Sarah. The taproom is at 2161 Hawkins St.

Sarah Brigham said Thursday the label has since been approved by the ABC Commission. She said they have not decided if they’ll use it again.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Charlotte brewery fined $1,000, or suspension, over ‘obscene’ beer label."