For a company that prides itself on political awareness, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream sure doesn't know much about research. The manufacturer of the gourmet desserts introduced a new flavor named after a bar drink, but failed to reckon with Irish memories:

Ben & Jerry's, the socially aware ice-cream maker, has apologised to Irish consumers for launching a new flavour evoking the worst days of British military oppression.

Tubs of Black and Tan ice-cream have gone on sale this month and prompted complaints that the phrase is not just the name for mixing stout with pale ale.

Black and Tans, irate customers explained, was the term for an irregular force of British ex-servicemen recruited during the Irish war of independence and renowned for their brutality, including the 1920 massacre of 12 people at a Dublin football match. The new flavour is only available in the US at present.

Back when I could eat ice cream, I loved Ben & Jerry's, despite the politics. They proved very inventive in their flavors and made it fun. When Ben & Jerry actually owned the company, it was a cutting-edge outfit. Now it looks like no one there knows how to Google.

Addendum: Obviously Ben & Jerry's meant no ill will and probably never heard of the Black and Tans before this controversy erupted, but for heaven's sake, isn't that what a Marketing department is supposed to find out?

UPDATE and bumped down: On further review .... this was pretty lame. I agree with the commenters. As Emily Litella says, "Never mind." And pass the Berried Treasure Sorbet!

So why not just delete the post? Too much like rewriting history for my taste. When I post a stinker, I just have to live with it. Berried Treasure Sorbet takes the edge off, of course ...

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