Beyonce's Beer: A Refreshing Take On Her Favorite Beverage

Was Beyoncé drinking beer? Well, the short answer is no, but that didn't stop a Brooklyn-based brewery from creating a beer inspired by the star. In 2017, Lineup Brewing released Bieryoncé, a German-style pilsner with branding that paid homage to Beyoncé's iconic album art and aesthetic. The beer was short-lived, however, as it was swiftly shut down by the singer herself, who issued a cease and desist letter to the brewery.

A beer named after Beyoncé

In 2016, a beer called "Bïeryoncé" was briefly sold by a Brooklyn brewery called Lineup. The beer was inspired by and named after Beyoncé, with the can art based on the singer's 2013 album art.

The beer

"Bïeryoncé" was a German-style pilsner. The beer was amber in colour and had a warming malt finish.

The inspiration

Katarina Martinez, the head brewer and co-owner of Lineup, was inspired to create the beer after she missed out on tickets to a Beyoncé concert. She told Pitchfork:

> "As a Hispanic, female-run business, I am very inspired by her so I thought I'd pay homage."

The shutdown

Not long after its release on 30 November 2017, Lineup received a cease and desist letter from Beyoncé's lawyers, and production of "Bïeryoncé" was shut down.

The reaction

Although the beer's production was short-lived, it garnered a positive reaction from Beyoncé fans on Twitter:

> "I just want everyone to know that I may never, ever be more happy than I am right now."

>

> "Brooklyn's female-run microbrewery @lineupbrewing has named a beer after the Queen Bey herself called #Biëryoncé and I am heeeere for iiiiiiit!"

A cease and desist letter sent by Beyoncé

I am writing on behalf of my client, Beyoncé, regarding your product “Bïeryoncé”.

As you are no doubt aware, my client is the owner of various trademarks relating to her name, image, and associated branding. It has come to our attention that your company, Lineup Brewing, has been producing and selling a beer called “Bïeryoncé”.

The branding of this product appears to be based on the cover of my client’s fifth studio album and features a matte black background with tall pink letters, clearly referencing Beyoncé’s iconic aesthetic. This is a blatant infringement of my client’s intellectual property rights and has caused significant confusion among consumers, who may mistakenly believe that your product is endorsed by or affiliated with Beyoncé.

Furthermore, the name “Bïeryoncé” is an obvious play on my client’s name and stage persona. This constitutes trademark infringement and is likely to deceive consumers about the origin of the product.

My client has also made it clear that she does not endorse alcohol products and wishes to distance herself from any association with your beer.

In light of the above, we hereby demand that you immediately and permanently cease and desist from any further production, marketing, and sale of “Bïeryoncé” beer or any other products that infringe upon my client’s trademarks. This includes all online and offline channels, including social media and your company website.

Failure to comply with this demand may result in legal action being taken against your company. We trust that you will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and await your written confirmation that you will comply with our requests.

Yours sincerely,

[Lawyer’s name]

[Law firm name]

Attorneys for Beyoncé

Fan speculation about Beyoncé drinking while breastfeeding

Some people were concerned about the potential impact on her babies, with one person commenting, "But how can you drink if you breastfeed? Let's hope it's iced tea." Another person wrote, "If she is nursing the babies, wine ain't good." However, other fans defended Beyoncé, saying that she may have pumped before going out or that the amount of alcohol that passes through breast milk is very low.

The conversation around drinking while breastfeeding is a complex one. While drinking during pregnancy is widely discouraged, the recommendations around drinking while nursing are less clear-cut. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is best for women to avoid habitual alcohol use while breastfeeding, as there are concerns about the long-term effects of repeated exposure to alcohol via breast milk. However, the actual amount of alcohol that passes through breast milk is very low, and occasional drinking is not known to adversely affect infants.

Overall, the speculation around Beyoncé's drinking habits while breastfeeding highlights the conflicting information and strong opinions surrounding this topic. While it is understandable that people are curious about the health and well-being of Beyoncé's children, it also raises questions about the boundaries of privacy and what is considered acceptable public behaviour for new mothers.

The song 'Drunk in Love'

"Drunk in Love" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé, featuring her husband, American rapper Jay-Z. The song was written by Beyoncé, Detail, and Jay-Z, with production handled by Boots, Beyoncé, and Detail. It was released as one of the two lead singles from Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album in 2013.

The song is dominated by trap beats, bass, and elements of hip-hop music. The lyrics, sung by Beyoncé in a sensual and confident manner, explore female sexuality and depict "unbridled lust" and love-making with a committed lover. Many music critics considered the song a follow-up to Beyoncé's and Jay-Z's 2003 song "Crazy in Love".

"Drunk in Love" received universal acclaim and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, spending eight weeks in the top ten. It also reached number one in South Africa and charted within the top ten in several other countries, including France, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The song won several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song in 2015.

The music video for "Drunk in Love" was directed by Hype Williams and shot in black-and-white in Golden Beach, Florida. It features Beyoncé and Jay-Z singing and dancing together on a beach, capturing the feeling of being "drunk in love". The video received nominations and won awards at various award shows, including the MTV Video Music Awards and the BET Awards.

The song sparked some controversy due to Jay-Z's lyrics referencing domestic violence, alluding to Tina Turner's abusive relationship with her former husband, Ike Turner. Despite this, "Drunk in Love" became one of Beyoncé's most successful and acclaimed singles, with numerous remixes and cover versions by other artists.

A beer inspired by Beyoncé's album art

Beyoncé's influence extends far beyond music, and one craft brewery has taken inspiration from the singer's iconic album art. The result? A unique beer that pays homage to Beyoncé's creativity and cultural impact.

The brewery, located in Brooklyn, New York, created a special-edition beer, aptly named "Beyoncé Beer." The beverage is an artistic tribute to Beyoncé's self-titled visual album, which revolutionized the music industry with its unexpected release strategy and captivating visuals. Each beer label showcases different album covers, featuring striking images of Beyoncé herself.

The beer is a blonde ale, a style chosen to reflect the singer's golden voice and radiant personality. It's described as a "crisp and refreshing" brew, with a subtle hint of honey to add a touch of sweetness, a nod to Beyoncé's Texas roots and her beloved lemonade. The beer's golden hue mirrors the warm, sunny tones often associated with Beyoncé's aesthetic, creating a cohesive visual experience that extends from the album art to the beverage itself.

But it's not just the beer's appearance and flavor that pay tribute to Beyoncé. The brewery also incorporated her empowering message of female strength and diversity. The beer's release was accompanied by a series of events and collaborations celebrating women in the craft beer industry, with a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting and mentoring women in brewing.

This unique beer is a testament to the impact Beyoncé has had on popular culture and the creative ways her influence continues to shape and inspire unique projects across industries. It blends together art, music, and beverage in a way that only Beyoncé could inspire, offering fans a unique way to celebrate and toast to one of the most iconic figures in modern music.

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