Skull Splitter headache relieved

Skull Splitter is named after the seventh Viking earl of Orkney

The future of Orkney's Skull Splitter ale has been secured after the drinks industry watchdog decided the brew did not have to be withdrawn.

A report for the Portman Group said its Viking logo was an aggressive theme.

The controversy saw a House of Commons motion being tabled, aimed at protecting Skull Splitter, and the ale has now been cleared for sale.

Norman Sinclair, managing director of the ale's Sinclair Breweries Ltd, said: "I'm absolutely delighted."

He said he was "very relieved that Skull Splitter can continue to be enjoyed here in the UK".

I would observe in passing that the Portman Group's adjudication refers to "an aggressive-looking Viking". History would suggest that there were not really any other sort of Vikings Alistair Carmichael Orkney and Shetland MP

Skullsplitter, an 8.5% ale created more than 20 years ago, is sold internationally.

The brewery said the ale was in fact named after Thorfinn Hausakluif, the seventh Viking earl of Orkney, nicknamed "Skull Splitter".

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael had said losing the name would be a serious setback, and had called for the complaint to be rejected in his Commons motion.

Mr Carmichael said the name would be inappropriate if it were a low-priced drink aimed at youngsters.

But he said it was an award-winning beer which was bought by "discerning drinkers who appreciate its quality and who drink it responsibly".

'Great lengths'

Mr Carmichael said: "I am delighted that the brand of Skull Splitter will be preserved.

"I remain highly dubious of the process that brought it into doubt in the first place.

"I would observe in passing that the Portman Group's adjudication refers to 'an aggressive-looking Viking'. History would suggest that there were not really any other sort of Vikings."

Portman Group chief executive David Poley said: "We have gone to great lengths to be certain that the industry's house is in order."

It also cleared Riptide, Punk IPA and Hop Rocker, all from Fraserburgh's BrewDog.