“We were hopeful that both sides of this issue would be able to come to an agreement that would allow everyone, regardless of orientation, to participate in the parade.”
A statement released Friday by the Boston Beer Company, brewer of Samuel Adams, announced that it would not participate in Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade this year.
The announcement comes a day after a South End bar announced on Facebook that it would boycott Sam Adams beer until the brewery or the parade organizers aligned themselves with the LGBT members of the local community.
"We have been participating in the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade for nearly a decade and have also supported the St. Patrick's Day breakfast year after year. We've done so because of the rich history of the event and to support veterans who have done so much for this country.
We were hopeful that both sides of this issue would be able to come to an agreement that would allow everyone, regardless of orientation, to participate in the parade. But given the current status of the negotiations, we realize this may not be possible.
We share these sentiments with Mayor Walsh, Congressman Lynch and others and therefore we will not participate in this year's parade. We will continue to support Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and her St. Patrick's Day breakfast. We wish her all the best in her historic stewardship of this tradition."
Comments from consumers are already pouring in on the Sam Adams Facebook page, with users almost completely split down the middle over the decision.
