As a testament to the power of The Simpsons, Duff Beer has become just as much a household name as actual beers like Budweiser. But where did the name come from? What was its inspiration?
In his autobiography “It’s So Easy (And Other Lies)” set to hit shelves October 4, ex-Guns ‘N Roses bassist Duff McKagan says it was actually him.
The news about the inspiration behind the brand, which comes in other varieties like Duff Light, Duff Dry, Lady Duff and Tartar Control Duff, came when a 70-page excerpt of the book was made available on the internet last week. On one page, McKagan wrote:
“When Guns N’ Roses began to break into the public consciousness, I was known as a big drinker… In 1988, MTV aired a concert in which Axl introduced me — as usual — as Duff ‘The King of Beers’ McKagan. Soon after a production company working on a new animated series called me to ask if they could use the name ‘Duff’ for a brand of beer in the show.
“I laughed and said of course, no problem… The whole thing sounded like a low-rent art project or something — I mean, who made cartoons for adults? Little did I know that the show would become ‘The Simpsons’ and that within a few years I would start to see Duff Beer glasses and gear everywhere we toured.”
Granted McKagan’s book is half-titled “And Other Lies,” it’s still interesting to consider the origin of such a now-famed cartoon beer. Has Homer Simpson ever expressed his love for Guns ‘N Roses on an episode? If McKagan’s claims are true, we think Homer probably should.
McKagan’s autobiography, which will also talk about his life on the road and the outrageous personalities within the band, actually did write this book himself. Having written articles for Playboy, ESPN and Seattle Weekly, it wasn’t impossible to put his own story to paper.