A major Brazilian beer brand is the target of criticism following the recent launch of an ad for its new beer-flavored ice cream (http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2013/03/ambev-warned-over-skol-ice-cream-advert/), which opponents say could negatively affect children and adolescents.
Skol, the most popular beer in Brazil, has released the dessert for a limited time only to select bars in Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo (http://secure.skol.com.br/praiaskol/). Although it contains no alcohol, AFP reported that the ice cream comes packaged in containers designed to look like beer cans (http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130326/brazil-brewer-warned-over-ad-beer-flavored-ice-cream) and can only be sold to individuals over the age of 18, Brazil's legal drinking age.
Ambev, a subsidiary of AB InBev that produces Skol, is promoting the ice cream on Skol's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151537771767958&set=a.342308882957.153927.132584057957&type=1&theater) with the tagline, "Shall we go to the bar to have an ice cream?"
In response to the ad campaign, Brazil's National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (Conar) -- which doesn't have any legal authority -- has ruled that the ice cream promotion could negatively influence children because the Facebook content is not protected with age-limit controls, AFP reported.
In an email to The Huffington Post, an Ambev representative said the company is not commenting on the Conar ruling.
Despite the furor in Brazil, beer-flavored ice cream has been cropping up across the U.S. in recent years -- although the producers are typically smaller companies.
Frozen Pints (http://www.frozenpints.com/), for one, sells ice creams with names like "Cinnamon Espresso Stout," "Pumpkin Ale" and "Honey IPA" at select retailers in the Atlanta area. Steve's Ice Cream (http://stevesicecream.com/) also serves up ice cream with an alcoholic twist, including "Scotch Chocolate," "Bklyn Blackout" and "Small Batch Bourbon Vanilla." The flavors are available in several states.
Via: HuffingtonPost