An American brewery company has apologised for naming a beer after Hindu goddess ‘Kali’ and said it is currently scrambling to rename the product amidst protests in the Indian parliament.

The ‘Kali-Ma’ beer which was scheduled for launch yesterday has now been postponed until the Portland-based Burnside Brewing Co finds a new name to replace it, Press Trust of India reported.

“In response to pleas from the Hindu community we have decided to postpone the limited release of ‘Kali-Ma’, our imperial wheat ale flavoured with Indian spices and Scotch-Bonnet peppers,” the company said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

“It is never our intention at Burnside to offend or alienate any race, creed, religion or sexual orientation. The inspiration for the beer label simply came from a favourite childhood movie in the ‘Indiana Jones’ series and we were unaware that it could be offensive to anyone,” it said.

“We are currently scrambling to re-name the beer and intend to release it soon afterwards. To those who have been patiently waiting, we humbly ask that you wait just a little longer and to anyone we have offended we sincerely apologise,” said Burnside Brewing Co.

‘Kali-Ma’ beer was earlier announced as spiced wheat ale that included cardamom, fenugreek, cumin and India dandicut peppers and showed a picture of the goddess with four arms and three severed heads.

A demand was made in the upper house of the Indian parliament yesterday asking for the US ambassador to India to be summoned to make an apology.

- Bernama