Flying Dog Cares About The First Ammendment and Are Not Afraid To Go To Court About It

Frederick, Maryland's Flying Dog Brewery is none to happy with the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission's action of banning Raging Bitch in The Great Lakes State. Teaming up with Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise to overturn Michigan Liquor Control Commission's act of banning Raging Bitch in Michigan. When Flying Dog applied for a license in September of 2009 for Raging Bitch. The label of Flying Bitch is adorned with the artwork of the legendary Ralph Steadman. The Michgian State Liquor Commission stated that the label on Raging Bitch is "detrimental to the public health,safety, and welfare". The attorney representing Flying Dog, Alan Gura of Washington DC's Gura and Possesskky,PLLC's response to the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission, “Regrettably, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and its members have taken it upon themselves to control not merely alcoholic beverages, but speech as well,”. Gura further states “The defendants arbitrarily imposed their personal tastes in banning Raging Bitch, clearly violating Flying Dog’s First Amendment right to free expression.” Gura and Flying Dog CEO Jim Caruso announced their legality actions at a craft beer bar Crunchy's in Lansing, Michigan near Michgian University's Campus.

Flying Dog created Raging Bitch, a Belgian Style India Pale ale to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their brewery in 2010. The beer became a smash hit. Raging Bitch is now Flying Dog's number one selling beer.

Upon learning of the lawsuit Steadman, known most notably for his work with Hunter S. Thompson. replied “Freedom of speech and artistic expression is as fundamental to our being as the alphabet itself. I thought censorship went out with D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ about 50 years ago! So if you are feeling a strong itch to drink Raging Bitch, just do it and get on with life.”


Flying Dog is seeking lost revenue as a result of the band and to have the beer sold in Michigan. Caruso further elaborates “We believe in free choice,” he said. “We do not believe that Michigan citizens deserve government regulators arbitrarily deciding what their beer should be called.”


Caruso and the rest of the wonderful people at Flying Dog are trying to protect the First Amendment and allow everyone to enjoy their beers. In addition to Raging Bitch, the rest of their beers are fantastic. Drink up. Support them, contact them and tell them you care.

Here is a link to their web page