At least we’re not the only ones suffering from alcohol control bureaucrats that make no sense. Canada’s got it too.

From the National Post:

Ontario’s alcohol regulator has moved to ban an Austrian beer favoured by connoisseurs because its name, Samichlaus, means St. Nicholas in Swiss-German.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has decided the beer’s label contravenes rules against advertising to children. It features the name of the beer, Samichlaus, a Swiss-German nickname for the saint behind the Santa Claus legend, and a small black-and-white bearded figure.

Vlado Pavicic, co-owner of Burlington-based Roland and Russell Importers, called the decision “insulting to the average Canadian.”

Samichlaus (Canada label)

I mean, come on. What kid is going to look at that beer label and pester their parents to buy it? Are they going to see it in the fridge and think it’s a holiday soda? And this whole “marketed to children” thing is bunk. Have you seen an ad for it in anything but a beer magazine? The kids would have to be in the beer store in the first place. Ugh. If their reasoning is to make it less attractive to teenagers, do you really think Santa is going to attract them? The 14% ABV might, but the price certainly won’t. It just doesn’t make any sense. All it does is inconvenience grown-ups.

Jay Brooks will have has something insightful to say, of course.

This just in: The Washington State liquor board thinks that by limiting beer advertising it will reduce the amount of under age drinking. So they’re making bars and retailers remove signage. But not the major sports stadiums.