Brewery Name Backlash In Galt

GALT (CBS13) – Ed Mason is brewing up some beer backlash in Galt. The center of it is his brewery's name and logo: Special Ed's Brewery.

"It just seems to roll off the tongue," Mason said.

Some have taken to social media, calling the logo insensitive to special needs children.

Inspired by his wife, Mason says his buddies gave him the controversial nickname.

"And she said he's just so special to me and another guy said aren't we special little Ed. And then it went to special Ed and it just followed me my whole construction career," Mason said.

But Andrew Rigopoulos of the local non-profit chapter Lay the Smack Down on Autism doesn't think the name is cute or clever.

"I understand the guy's name is Ed. Special Ed, the name's catchy," Rigopoulos said. "[But] the way that he's marketing it is not the way to do it."

Rigopoulos calls it down right offensive. He shares with us a few disturbing beer labels he says Mason created on his Facebook page.

"That says 'Tard tested, Tard approved,'" Rigopoulos said.

Mason admits his family came up with the offensive beer labels.

The brewery is also selling t-shirts with the phrase "ride the short bus to special beer."

"Hey it might be funny to him, but it's not funny to us that advocate for special needs, whether it's down syndrome, autism, mental retardation whatever it is, we're not going to stand for it," Rigopoulos said.

Mason says one person called threatening to burn down his business and harm his family.

But despite the public outcry, it's hard to let go of the name.

"Well the name has a certain sentiment to it. So yeah I would like to keep it, but if people really think it's that hurtful I'd be open to change it. I'd be open for suggestions," Mason said.

Galt leaders said, in part, the city does not have the legal ability to regulate the name of a business. They also said they cannot control the manner in which a business chooses to market its products and services.