Students who have been jonesing for an official LSU libation received bad news last week.
After the University’s tug-of-war with the LSU System over licensing an official University beer, administrators announced Jan. 11 that the University will no longer seek the license.
Chancellor Michael Martin said the plan’s demise stemmed from a difference of opinion between him and the LSU Board of Supervisors.
“It’s not worth the fight,” he said.
Charles Zewe, vice president of communications & external affairs for the LSU System, said the beer idea wasn’t approved because the University didn’t follow appropriate procedure.
According to the bylaws of the Board of Supervisors, “All communications to the Board, or to any committee thereof, from persons having official relations with the University System shall be filed in writing with the President and duly transmitted by him to the Board.”
“There was no dispute,” Zewe said. “The campus simply did not ever submit anything in writing as is required by our bylaws.”
Martin could not be reached for comment regarding the bylaw issue.
The decision to put the brakes on the proposal came after the prospect of an LSU beer caught the attention of the national media in commentary that painted the University as having an alcohol-friendly culture where a Tiger-branded ale would have prospered.
“Year in and year out, regardless of how well their team is playing, LSU supporters make other college tailgating crews look like Baptist choirs,” wrote Ben Cohen in a Wall Street Journal article titled “You Can’t Spell ‘Lush’ Without L-S-U” before the BCS title game.
Other universities noticed as well.
“Since LSU cannot sell alcohol inside the stadium, the chancellor wants to profit from alcohol outside the stadium,” wrote Roger Groves, law professor at Florida Coastal School of Law, in a Forbes editorial.
Martin called the idea for licensing beer an opportunity for learning and revenue.
The University had planned to license through the Collegiate Licensing Company, which would have allowed local beer producer Tin Roof Brewing Company to produce an LSU-themed beer, named “Bandit Blonde.”
 
—-
Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]