BrewDog drops case against Portman Group

BrewDog has scrapped plans to sue industry watchdog, the Portman Group, over comments made in its ruling banning the company's beer Speedball, it revealed today.

In January, the Portman Group ordered the beer should be taken off the shelf, after upholding complaints the drink was associated with the cocktail of drugs that killed Hollywood stars John Belushi and River Phoenix.

In his ruling, chief executive of the Portman Group David Poley said the company was "profiteering from the scourge of illegal drugs, mocking the misery caused by misuse".

Yesterday it emerged the company had hired Pitmans, a London law firm, to take legal action against the watchdog. But today James Watt, managing director of BrewDog confirmed they were no longer planning to sue.

"I think that taking legal action would have been quite detrimental to us because it would have been very time consuming. It could have gone on for months and we just want to get on with things now," he said.

However, he added the company continued to be outraged over the comments.

"I think it is a ridiculous allegation to make. To say we are profiteering from drugs is just insane. We make edgy, innovative beer that is completely legal."

The Portman Group welcomed BrewDog's decision to drop the case and stood by the comments made in the ruling.

Poley said: "BrewDog has dropped its threat of legal action. They've informed us that they want to draw a line under this dispute.

"Marketing alcohol on the theme with illegal drugs is completely indefensible. Therefore, any legal action by them would have been hotly contested by us. We're pleased that the company has decided to concentrate on selling responsibly marketed products."