"SCOTCH ALE" not allowed?!

[kappyk66]

So I just got an update on a label I have going through COLAs for our scotch and and they said "Scotch Ale is misleading because product is U.S. bottled. Please remove Scotch or change to read "Scottish Style Ale""

Are they joking? I could goto the grocery/liquor store right now and find at least a dozen labels, made by American Brewers, who's labels say "Scotch Ale" or beers that are just straight up called "Scotch Ale"...

I sent an email and called an left a message with the TTB/COLAS for clarification and haven't heard back.

Anyone else have this happen?

[Thirsty_Monk]

The same goes for Vienna Lager.

[Scott M]

It apparently only applies to beer and alcohol since Vienna Finger Cookies and Vienna Sausages, Scotch Tape, and Scotch Peanuts, Scotch Eggs are routinely marketed and are produced in the U.S.

Webster defines it here... http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scotch

Doesn't say anything about being Scottish...

[Bainbridge]

All brewers should get familiar with the idea of the TTB's Class/Type designations. This document is a bit out of date (2001), but to be on the safe side if you're brewing any traditional sort of beer typically associated with a place you should CYA with 'such and such style beer' or 'American Whatever Beer'. For example, as it says in endnote 2: "For Bavarian, Dortmund/Dortmunder, Kulmbacher, Munich/Munchner, Salvator, Wein/Weiner, Wurtzburger produced outside of Germany or Vienna produced outside of Austria, the class and type designation “Bavarian,” “Dortmund,” etc., must include the word “type” or “American” or other adjective or statement, e.g., “Brewed in the U.S.,” indicating the true place of production.

Which is why our Kolsch is a 'Kolsch-Style Ale'.

[Thirsty_Monk]

This does not apply with Pilsner. Pilsner become to be quite generic.

[ChesterBrew]

It's the old situation like where if sparkling wine is produced outside of the Champagne region of France, its not champagne.

Happy New Year, everyone!

[rileysbrewing]

A quick look at Oskar Blues' site shows Old Chub clearly labeled, front and center, SCOTCH ALE. Is it because it says Colorado, USA at the bottom?

It apparently only applies to beer and alcohol since Vienna Finger Cookies and Vienna Sausages, Scotch Tape, and Scotch Peanuts, Scotch Eggs are routinely marketed and are produced in the U.S.

Webster defines it here... http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scotch

Doesn't say anything about being Scottish...

It does farther down the page.

"Simple Definition of Scotch

: of or relating to Scotland or its people

Full Definition of Scotch

1
: scottish"

[Bainbridge]

Arrr the TTB be a fickle mistress indeed...

[kappyk66]

Update

So I was so pissed I just kept calling the customer service number until someone called me back. The guy I talked to said that the specialist who reviewed the label must not have fully understood the regulations. He apologized and said to resubmit with a note to the specialist that I spoke with the supervisor and "scotch ale" is approved language and not misleading. So problem solved.