A Belgian brewery has apologised to people offended over its choice to name a beer "Māori Tears".
The Brussels Beer Project had brewed 800 bottles of the pale ale in 2015, but kept the advertising on its website until it was discovered on Tuesday (NZ time).
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It was accused of ignorance for using the name and marketing copy which said the beer would "encapsulate those tears to capture their sacred nature".
Commentator Karaitiana Taiuru said it was a classic example of a brewery causing offense and could clearly have been avoided with basic research.
"The only excuse for cultural appropriation is ignorance," he told Newshub.
"Technology such as the internet and social media removes the distance and your geographical isolation to New Zealand and provides a wealth of knowledge of cultural appropriation examples."
A spokesperson for the brewery told Newshub it was sad people were offended.
"We apologise to those who felt offended with our Māori Tears beer," the spokesperson said.
"The term "tears" was used to highlight the subtlety of this pale ale brewed with New Zealand hops aged in barrels.
"It was brewed one-time in 2015 in 800 bottles. There was no intention to offend the Māori culture, on the contrary. "
The web page listing the beer has now been withdrawn.
Newshub.
