Tribune Freeport Reporter
Photo courtesy of Larry Myhre - Flickr
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company's owner, James Sands, announced that the controversial lighthouse image on the label of his newly launched beer will be withdrawn and replaced with a new symbol.
When Mr Sands produced and released a second beer called "High Rock" at his brewery in Freeport, he never expected it would cause a stir among some residents there.
The lighthouse in High Rock, which was built by a local pastor, was used as a symbol by the brewery in its label design.
Two weeks ago, Rev Cecil Kemp, pastor of the Lighthouse Chapel in High Rock, and his lawyer Constance McDonald, demanded a public apology from the brewery for using the image of the lighthouse without his permission. Rev Kemp stated that the lighthouse was built as a symbol of a spiritual inspiration in the High Rock community. Mrs McDonald sent a letter to the brewery indicating her client's concerns that the lighthouse symbol on the beer was damaging to the reputation of Rev Kemp and the chapel, which was dedicated to God.
During a press conference held at the Brewery on Wednesday, Mr Sands, accompanied his lawyer Fred Smith, apologised to Mr Kemp.
"When we produced High Rock I never dreamed I would cause any ruckus in the community. Regrettably it has...and I truly apologise to Mr Kemp for putting the lighthouse on the label of the High Rock beer."
"I want to let everyone know it was not my intention of offending anyone in doing so, but we always thought the lighthouse was a landmark of High Rock," he explained.
Constance McDonald accepted Mr Sands' apology on behalf of her client.
Mr Smith said that Mr Sands felt it was the right thing do. He noted that there was no monetary settlement involved in the matter.
"The brewery was prepared to defend this because we did not consider it was libel.
"We are a brewing beer industry in the community and it is Mr Sands' desire to work with the community, and we really did not wish to cause offence, and since it is not that much big of a deal to us, it was a big deal for Mr Kemp and he is part of the community so a decision was made to withdraw the symbol - that's the story," he said.
"No damages were involved, an apology was requested and I think it is fair. We are right now looking at what the new label should be," said Mr Smith.
"I believe we will find something nautical or island-like that will continue to represent the beer produced from pure Bahamian spring water of Grand Bahama."
He also indicated the High Rock beer with the lighthouse label could be considered a collector's item. Mr Sands reported that sales for the new beer are doing well.
"It is a fine quality beer and it is doing very well considering it is only sold in Grand Bahama," he said.
"I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed, but we will adjust and move on," said the brewery owner. The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company, $15 million investment, opened in December 2007 when it released its first beer, "Sands."
The company launched "A Name that Beer" competition to get residents involved. Sands was the winning name for the first of two beers.
In June 2006, the name "High Rock" beer was the second winning name selected. Ethel Bethel and Garnell Frith shared the cash prize $3,000 for coming up with the winning name.
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