Imported Lagers

Federal regulators have changed course and approved a businessman’s bid to include the Pledge of Allegiance on a beer can.

The controversial label initially was denied by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Don Sessions, a Los Angeles businessman originally from Ripley, Okla., said recent media attention for his Ol’ Glory beer can design embarrassed regulators because the design clearly was protected by the First Amendment.

“It’s freedom of speech,” said Sessions, 75. “They can’t stop me from using the pledge.”

The bureau’s initial denial said the pledge violated a federal statute prohibiting labels with images and statements relating to the American flag.

The approval dated Wednesday does not dispute the use of the pledge.