Uh…. Sam Adams, Man, You Forgot Something!

Beer-maker Samuel Adams forgot something in its Fourth of July commercial—and now, they’re taking a big hit over on their Facebook page.

In the ad, a bartender cites the Declaration of Independence, but deliberately omits any reference to God.  It goes like this:

The bartender asks, “Why name a beer after Samuel Adams?”  He goes on to explain that “…Samuel Adams signed the Declaration of Independence.  He believed there was a better way to live.”

The bartender then recites the Declaration of Independence—but leaves out the words “by their Creator.”  According to the Sam Adams version,

“All men are created equal.  They are endowed with certain unalienable rights:  Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The commercial ends: 

“Smooth flavorful.  We bow to no kings.  Samuel Adams Boston Lager, declare your independence.”

Asked on Fox & Friends why they omitted the Creator from their ad, the beer-maker explained that they adhere to the Beer Institute Advertising Code, which stipulates that beer advertising and marketing materials should not include religion or religious themes.  According to their written statement:

“While we do understand your objection to the omission of the phrase ‘by our creator’ in other circumstances (after all, they occur in the Declaration of Independence which Samuel Adams signed and helped author) we believe it would be outside our industry guidelines to invoke those religious words in a beer commercial.”

The thing is, the Declaration of Independence which Samuel Adams signed made clear reference to the Creator.

Over on the beer company’s Facebook page, public opinion weighs pretty heavily against them.  As for me—well, guys, it looks like you made a mistake.

Next time I shop for beer, I might forget your name, too.  I’ll ask for Heineken.

http://youtu.be/2ECrOs5GcPI