Finland: Brewery launches NATO-themed beer with country on brink of joining bloc

A Finland-based brewery has launched a NATO-med beer. Dubbed "Otan", which is French for "North Atlantic Treaty Organization," brand features a white-coloured cartoon figure wearing a metal armour suit, inscribed with NATO flag's compass symbol on beer's blue bottle. manufacturer of NATO-med beer is Olaf Brewing, a small brewery based in Savonlinna. 

Notably, NATO-branded beer has been launched at a time when Finland is alrey seeking to become a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a move that is being supported by majority of Finns. As per reports, beer company h been considering launching a NATO-med beer for some time, and it finally executed its idea when Finland officially announced its bid to become a part of military alliance. 

While speaking to national brocaster Yle, company's CEO, Petteri Vanttinen, said, "In past, we haven't taken much of a stand in political affairs. Now, however, majority of Finns are behind NATO decision." Citing reports indicate support of people for Finnish government's decision to become a member of alliance, Vanttinen said, "That's why we dared to take such a step, and it didn't really require a lot of daring; we just decided to do it."

NATO-med beer 

According to reports, newly launched beer is getting a positive response from shopkeepers and restaurants. " phone has been ringing all morning and people have been asking, 'When can you deliver?'," Vanttinen explained.

Notably, location of beer brand also has an important role to play in NATO's membership. As it was during World War II, Savonlinna's souast town was bombarded by Russian planes. Meanwhile, Riikka-Maria Lemminki, he of Marketing Finland, said she has never heard of any or Nato-branded marketing campaigns, but she said new beer brand will appeal to majority of people. " majority of people are pro-NATO, so I think marketers will stick to it," she said. However, beer's name, "Otan", could possibly attract some legal action due to Finland's strict policies on marketing of alcohol.

Image: AP