US brewery to remove ‘Gandhi-Bot’ label, rename beer

A US brewery will no longer use the name and likeness of Mohandas K Gandhi on one of its beers following complaints that the marketing was offensive, a state lawmaker said.

The label on New England Brewing Co's Gandhi-Bot India pale ale has a cartoon image depicting a robot version of the Mahatma, who favoured prohibition.

The Connecticut-based company apologised earlier this month to anyone who found the label insensitive.

In a statement, the brewery said it decided to rebrand the beer following meetings with Indian-American business owners, temple leaders and state officials, including state representative Prasad Srinivasan.

The statement was posted on Srinivasan's website.

''After careful consideration we feel that renaming Gandhi-Bot is the right move,'' the brewery said in the statement.

''Taking these steps will allow us to express our support for the Indian-American community while also limiting any economic losses.''

Srinivasan, who is from India, said he is glad the brewery heard the concerns of the Indian-American community.

''Our sensitivity on this important issue has been addressed and I am looking forward to the early release of their renamed and rebranded product,'' he said.

In a travesty of the Mahatma's message and values, the Gandhi-Bot beer, which had been distributed for about five years, was promoted on the brewery's website as ''fully vegetarian'' and ''an ideal aid for self-purification and the seeking of truth and love.''