Woodbridge Brewery Apologizes for Using Gandhi on Beer Label

A Woodbridge, Connecticut brewery is apologizing to Indians who are offended that the company is using Mohandas Gandhi's name and likeness on one of its beers.

New England Brewing Co., which is based in Woodbridge, apologized over the weekend on its Facebook page for the India pale ale it calls Gandhi-Bot.

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"Our intent is not to offend anyone but rather pay homage and celebrate a man who we respect greatly," the company said.

Critics in the U.S. and India have complained about the commercial use of Gandhi, revered for leading India to independence through nonviolence.

Proloy K. Das, a Hartford lawyer, tweeted that Connecticut "should be ashamed to be home" to New England Brewing. He did not immediately return a call or email from the Associated Press seeking comment.

New England Brewing referred questions to its Facebook posting.