Thread: Beer's outlaw image leaves bad taste in critics' mouths

Beer's outlaw image leaves bad taste in critics' mouths

By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY
A new beer named after the patron saint of drug traffickers is brewing up controversy in Mexico, where the government is locked in an increasingly bloody battle against drug gangs.

Malverde Beer is named after Jesús Malverde, a Robin Hood-style figure from 19th-century Mexican folklore who is revered by drug smugglers in the western state of Sinaloa. The beer debuted in April and has spread to bars around western Mexico. Its maker plans to sell it in the USA.

The beer has appeared as Mexico reels from a spike in drug-related murders and the Bush administration prepares to pour about $465 million into Mexican anti-drug efforts. Civic groups in Sinaloa have criticized the beer, and Wal-Mart of Mexico has refused to stock it.

"When a product exalts something illegal, that's wrong," said Paul Velázquez, president of the Los Mochis Area Business Owners' Association in Sinaloa.

The new brew is part of the so-called "narco-culture" that continues to fascinate Mexicans despite the violence that has swept the country in recent years, Velázquez said

Songs about drug smugglers, known as narcocorridos, remain a staple of Mexican music. Newsstands sell pocket-size comic books starring smugglers and hit men, and Mexican movies such as the upcoming El Cartel and Partes Usados revolve around the country's underworld. One of the hot books of the summer is The Queen of the Pacific and other Narco Women, about alleged drug trafficker Sandra Ã

"When a product exalts something illegal, that's wrong," said Paul Velázquez, president of the Los Mochis Area Business Owners' Association in Sinaloa.

Well with the attitude of the Camber of Commerce of the USA and with all the morons to boots . That beer is going to be a big hit . Anything for a dam dollar and the "Bottom Line".

"I think it's very dangerous," he said. "You're legitimizing something that shouldn't be legitimized."

You mean like some in our country who want to legitimize illegal aliens? Neither one should be legitimized, but I don't care what mexico wants to do with their country; just stay the hell out of mine!

Originally Posted by miguelina

"I think it's very dangerous," he said. "You're legitimizing something that shouldn't be legitimized."

You mean like some in our country who want to legitimize illegal aliens? Neither one should be legitimized, but I don't care what mexico wants to do with their country; just stay the hell out of mine!

Ditto! You can drink or call your beer whatever you want in mexico! Just keep it and your citizens on your side of the border.

Mexican Robin Hood becomes drug dealers' patron saint . . .

Feb 8, 2008 . . . Malverde is widely considered the patron saint of drug dealers, law enforcement officials and experts on Mexican culture say . . .

www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/08/america/saint.php