'Putin Babo' Beer Supplied to Ukrainian Forces... The Story Behind Its Use as Molotov Cocktail Material [Beer and Politics]

Released Right After the Outbreak of the Ukraine War... Used for Molotov Cocktails
European Beer Production Costs Soar Amid Prolonged Sanctions Against Russia

Editor's NoteWhat if the most popular alcoholic beverage, beer, carried a political message? In Western countries, new beers with political messages are often released whenever there are significant shifts in the political landscape. This article explores the background of these 'special edition' beers with political messages and the related changes in international affairs.

Beer named 'Putin Hulio' made by Ukrainian beer company Pravda Brewery. Pravda Brewery website

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, one controversial beer in Ukraine and Russia has been 'Putin Hulio.' This beer, released by a Ukrainian brewery just before the war began, gained worldwide popularity due to its logo depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin naked. Early in the war, when Ukraine's military faced a shortage of weapons, this beer was even used to produce Molotov cocktails and was sold rapidly in the US and Western countries as part of support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian Brewery Releases 'Putin Fool' Beer After War Breaks Out

Prouda Brewery Homepage

According to the Ukrainian local media outlet Kyiv Independent, Pravda Brewery, located in Lviv in western Ukraine, released a beer named 'Putin Hulio' in early February 2022, just before the outbreak of the Ukraine war. The word 'Hulio' means 'fool.' The name itself carries a blunt criticism directed at President Putin, who invaded Ukraine.

The logo engraved on the beer bottle also features a caricature satirizing Russia's war crimes. At the center of the logo is a naked President Putin sitting on a throne, holding a nuclear weapon in one hand and clutching Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a close aide, in the other. This emphasizes that the responsibility for the Ukraine war lies with President Putin, who ordered the invasion.

Along with the beer release, Pravda Brewery warned that it would not sell beer to Russian and Belarusian nationals. Through Instagram, Pravda stated, "You must present ID when purchasing beer. We will never sell to Russian and Belarusian citizens," and added, "We will provide free tea and coffee to the Ukrainian military and police."

Molotov Cocktails Made from Putin Beer... "A Very Special Bottle"

The Molotov cocktail made by Prauda Brewery. Facebook

The Putin Hulio beer became even more internationally notable when it was used to make Molotov cocktails for the Ukrainian military, which was short of weapons early in the war. Pravda posted on Instagram at the time, "We are currently making special bottles, and the beer will be made later," adding, "We already went through a lot when Russia invaded Crimea in 2014."

According to Euronews, Pravda Brewery began producing Molotov cocktails four days after the war started on February 28, 2022, and delivered them to Ukrainian military and police in key frontline areas. At that time, the Ukrainian government temporarily halted alcohol production at various breweries and ordered the production of Molotov cocktails to slow the advance of Russian forces. Many breweries produced Molotov cocktails, and for over a month before Western weapon support arrived, Ukrainian soldiers, police, and civilians fought with Molotov cocktails in hand.

The beer label design released in June 2022 by the American brewery Beale's. It became a hot topic for featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin dressed as a clown. Beale's official website

As this news spread, other overseas breweries supporting the Putin Hulio beer also released beers featuring President Putin's image. In June 2022, the American beer company Beale's launched a beer inspired by Putin Hulio, also featuring President Putin's image, which gained popularity in the US. All proceeds from this beer were donated to Pravda Brewery.

Side Effects of Prolonged Sanctions on Russia... Difficulties in Carbon Dioxide Imports

A brewery in the Hessen region of Germany. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News.

Although beers imbued with anti-Russian sentiment sold rapidly after the Ukraine war, European breweries faced pressure from rising production costs due to prolonged sanctions on Russia. This was mainly because the price of carbon dioxide, primarily imported from Russia, surged due to the sanctions.

According to the UK's Guardian, at the outbreak of the Ukraine war in February 2022, major German breweries temporarily experienced difficulties importing carbon dioxide due to supply shortages. The price of liquefied carbon dioxide used in beer and other carbonated beverages skyrocketed from 100 euros per ton to 3,500 euros, causing some breweries to halt production.

Liquefied carbon dioxide is mainly produced by capturing carbon dioxide generated during natural gas or chemical fertilizer production. Before the Ukraine war, Europe primarily sourced carbon dioxide from Russia, the world's largest natural gas and fertilizer producer. European breweries and beverage companies were dependent on Russia.

However, due to sanctions on Russia, supply was temporarily blocked, and alternative imports mainly through the US caused carbon dioxide prices in the US to rise as well. In the US, the price of liquefied carbon dioxide per ton rose from $131 in the second quarter of 2022 to $303 in the second quarter of 2023, more than doubling in one year.