Canada’s Tusket Falls Brewing Adding “Hanging Oak” Red IPA With Noose On Label

Under the category of “this won’t end well” Nova Scotia’s Tusket Falls Brewing is adding a new canned beer called Hanging Oak.  The beer is a red IPA, but the image on the can is that of an oak tree with a noose hanging from the branch.  I’m not sure who thought this wouldn’t be offensive, even though the beer is named after a local landmark.  Naturally this sparked some objections on social media, and the brewery promised that if “black people in the community are complaining, they will change the packaging”…so stay tuned for a new name.  Regardless of local history and landmarks, this imagery just seems so tone-deaf for someone trying to expand their customer base and grow their new business.