Aussie beer favourite facing backlash

South Australia’s iconic Coopers brewery is facing backlash over a video starring two Liberal MPs and three bottles of beer.

MPs Andrew Hastie and Tim Wilson feature in the video filmed by The Bible Society where they debate gay marriage on a balcony at Parliament House.

The Bible Society is a Christian group that has been running in Australia for over 200 years.

Matt Andrews hosts the debate which sees the men claim they’re “keeping it light on a heavy topic” as they sip the Coopers light brew.

Coopers has come out saying they had nothing to do with the ad, despite a number of close up shots of the label, and said The Bible Society acted on its own.

The Bible Society backed this claim this morning, with CEO Greg Clarke telling ABC News Breakfast: “It’s true that they didn’t sponsor the video, no money changed hands, they weren’t consulted, that was entirely the Bible Society’s work.”

However, it appears the damage has already been done for many former fans of the drink.

It appears many were unaware of the brand’s strong Christian ties and links to the Liberal Party, to which it has donated $86,000 since 2009.

A video has surfaced online showing staff members at a gay bar throwing bottles of Coopers beer in the bin, while others took to social media to vent their frustrations at the brand’s involvement in the video.

https://twitter.com/rodcub/status/841150202476027904

Coopers isn’t the only one copping backlash either, with the two politicians involved facing possible retribution for breaking political advertising rules.

Federal laws prohibit “political party advertising or election campaigns; satire or ridicule; or commercial sponsorship or commercial advertising”.

https://twitter.com/biblesocietyoz/status/839729739547856897

Do you think people are overreacting? Or should someone face consequences here?