AN INDEPENDENT panel has upheld six complaints about products made by Newport's popular Tiny Rebel brewery.

Industry organisation The Portman Group said it had received complaints about eight Tiny Rebel products, including allegations some of the products' packaging or promotion had "particular appeal" to under-18s.

It said those complaints had been lodged by the Metropolitan Police, Alcohol Focus Scotland and a member of public.

Five of Tiny Rebel's beers were found by the Portman Group to breach rules on packaging or promotions that had particular appeal to people below the legal drinking age; and its Original Nuttah beer was also judged to breach rules on causing "offence".

The Portman Group's Independent Complaints Panel said it considered ‘nutter’ was "a derogatory term referring to those who suffered from mental illness".

It also "considered that the name of the product was derogatory and demeaning and was likely to cause serious offence to some consumers".

Another product, Bump 'n' Grind, was found by the panel to have "strong sexual connotations"; and Cherry Bomb "did not clearly identify the contents as alcoholic" and "could be seen as reminiscent of a soft drink when considered together", the panel said.

Tiny Rebel had voluntarily discontinued those three products, as well as another, No Capes, prior to the panel's judgements, the Portman Group said.

Additionally, No Capes, four-packs of Clwb Tropica, and Double 99 were found to breach rules on appealing to under-18s; and Double 99 was also found to break rules on "immoderate consumption".

The panel did not uphold complaints made against Cali Pale and single cans of Clwb Tropica.

“Tiny Rebel’s product range has had problems across a range of areas, but in particular with designs that have a particular appeal to under-18s although this has not been its intention," Nicola Williams, who chairs the complaints panel, said. "It is essential that alcoholic products are aimed squarely at adults and clearly communicate their alcoholic nature.

"Equally importantly is the need to avoid widespread offence, particularly around mental health. We therefore welcome Tiny Rebel’s commitment to work to change the marketing, and to remove problematic products from the market. I very much hope that they will ensure future products adhere to the Code.”

Tiny Rebel said: "We take all consumer complaints very seriously, as well as our wider social responsibility. We build in continuous quality at all levels which includes branding and promoting our beers. We’ll continue to work closely with the Portman Group and are committed to following their guidance."

  • This article originally appeared on our sister site The National.