British ‘beer ban’ in favour of Heineken at Olympics sparks fury amongst MPs

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London, July 7: British parliamentarians have slammed Olympics chiefs for choosing Dutch lager brand Heineken as the official beer for the London Olympics 2012.

Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland, the leader of a parliamentary campaign to save British pubs, said a British ale would have been more appropriate.

“A British brewed beer would be far more appropriate than a Dutch beer for the London Olympic Games,” Channel 4 News quoted Mulholland, as saying.

He claimed that the choice was made “purely on the size of Heineken’s cheque book”.

According to The Sun, Heineken, which will be the only beer sold under its brand name at Games venues, will cost 4.20 pounds for a 330ml bottle, equivalent to 7.23 pounds for a pint.

Heineken-owned John Smith’s bitter and Strongbow cider are made in the UK while the former is imported from the Netherlands.

However, John Smith’s and Strongbow will be labeled as “English ale” and “English cider” during their sale.

Mulholland claimed the decision was “at odds with the strong emphasis on British identity at the heart of the Games”. (ANI)