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Australian lager firm VB releases ‘English Bitter’ after Ashes controversy

07 July 2023 By James Evison

A limited edition ‘English Bitter’ has been sent directly to the England cricket squad by Asahi-owned brewer Victoria Bitter, following the Ashes’ stumping controversy.

The controversy revolves around a stumping of English cricketer Jonny Bairstow at the end of an over during this summer’s second Ashes test, when it wasn’t clear if the ball was in play or not. The debate has raged since on both sides of the world as to whether the ruling was in the “spirit of the game”.

It has caused ire in Australia and its national press, after former controversies involving the England team where they benefited from debatable decisions, and resulted in numerous images and memes of England cricketers as crying babies.

That’s definitely not me, since when did I bowl with the new ball https://t.co/24wI5GzohD

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 3, 2023

According to Victoria Bitter, the beer being sent will be a “new Big Warm Beer for our old English foes”, and Australian fans will also be able to pick-up ‘English Bitter’ tee-shirts at Headingley during the current third Ashes test.

A note with the beers reads: “You can get it not protecting your stumps, you can get it ignoring the umps – Victoria Bitter for the English.”

It follows England head coach and New Zealander Brendon McCullum – the creator of the infamous ‘Bazball’ aggressive-stroke-playing method of cricket – stating he was so upset by the Australian team’s decision to not reverse the Bairstow stumping that he said he wouldn’t share the traditional beers with the Australian team at the end of the test.

Speaking about the move, VB marketing manager, Marc Lord, said: “We know the English are bitter about the Lord’s Test, but when they’re feeling less bitter we’ve got a beer to shout them… our fresh new England Bitter.”

“England Bitter has got their name on it and we’re sending a few slabs to the English Cricket Team to enjoy once they’ve cooled off.

“We raise our glass to the whole Australian team for securing a famous win in the second test and wish them the best of luck in winning the series.”

The brand has even re-recorded its famous jingle to include the ‘English Bitter’ line.

You can get it getting stumped.

You can get it complaining to the umps.

You can get it throwing away your wicket

You can get it invoking the spirit of cricket

You get it if your Ben Stokes You can get it if you’re the coach./i>

Yes our beer may be bitter. But our cricket team isn’t

So England, we’ve got a beer with your name on it.

For when you change your mind.

And that beer is England. England Bitter.