Beer mats made of pulp are not to be regarded as "printed matter," according to a decision of the Board of United States General Appraisers. The mats in question were imported at St. Louis by Wilfred Schade Co., and were returned for duty by the Surveyor at the rate of 35 per cent. ad valorem under Paragraph 447, Tariff act of 1909.
The New York Times, February 16, 1914
A GUINNESS beer mat bearing two green feet marked with the letters "L" and "R" has been reported to the Commission for Racial Equality.
Regulars at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, claim the St Patrick's Day promotion amounts to a racist slur.
Michael Forde, the centre's chairman, who has made the complaint, said: "This quite clearly panders to the 'thick Paddy' image we thought we had escaped decades ago. It implies that Irish people don't know their left from their right."
Guinness claims the beer mats provide guidance on how to perform a jig, rather than direct people to the bar. It has received only one complaint - from Mr Forde.
The Telegraph, March 4, 2002
Beer mats that tell drinkers if their lager or gin has been spiked with a 'date rape' drug are to be distributed in pubs over the next few weeks.
The trial is part of an ambitious plan to use biotechnology to halt soaring numbers of drug rape cases in Britain. Last year, 2,000 women reported that they had been sexually assaulted after their drinks had been spiked, a rise of 60 per cent on the previous year.
The mats will also show if a person has been given amphetamines, cocaine or ecstasy. If successful, the scheme will be introduced throughout Britain.The mats will also show if a person has been given amphetamines, cocaine or ecstasy. If successful, the scheme will be introduced throughout Britain.
The Observer, June 2, 2002
JD Wetherspoon, the fast growing jukebox-free pub chain, is to mix propaganda with its pint by urging its 1m drinkers to fight the euro.
Wetherspoon's maverick millionaire chairman Tim Martin has decided to open his 525 pubs to beer mats, posters and magazines warning that the euro will wreck the economy. It is a rare example of a publicly quoted company openly mixing business with politics.
The Guardian, September June 7, 2001
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