Wye Valley Brewery has been cleared of using "sexually suggestive" labelling for its flagship brand Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout by the
Independent Complaints Panel. The complaint was made by Alcohol Concern to the Portman Group, the brewing industry watchdog.
The stout has won several awards, including one for its labelling. Wye Valley's managing director Vernon Amor said he was surprised by the referral to the Portman Group as the label and pumpclip had been used for more than 15 years. Dorothy Goodbody, an imaginary person, is an old-fashioned voluptuous blonde from yesteryear.
"The image conjures up the spirit of rural Herefordshire in the 1950s," he added.
A spokesman for the Portman Group said the image did not breach its guidelines.
Vernon Amor said if the label had been banned it would have meant that Carry On films and saucy seaside postcards would have been next in line.
