Makers of Sam Adams pull their support of St. Patrick's Day Parade

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The makers of Samuel Adams have pulled their support for South Boston's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade after organizers refused to allow a gay rights group participate in the event.

Boston Beer Company announced via press release Friday that they would not participate in the parade.

"We have been participating in the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade for nearly a decade and have also supported the St. Patrick's Day breakfast year after year," reads the statement in-part. "We've done so because of the rich history of the event and to support veterans who have done so much for this country."

The statement goes on to say they were hopeful that organizers and MassEquality could come to an agreement, but they now realize that may not be possible.

"We will continue to support Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and her St. Patrick's Day breakfast. We wish her all the best in her historic stewardship of this tradition," reads the statement.

Boston Beer Company's decision to back out of the parade comes after Club Cafe Boston announced via Facebook that they would not sell Sam Adams until parade organizers changed their position or the beer company removed its support of the event.

Parade organizers initially came up with a tentative deal to allow the group to march, but later denied their application amid claims that only one member of the 20-person group was a veteran.

Cox Media Group