Simpsons Writer Debunks Duff McKagan’s Claims About Duff Beer

You might have heard the theory that Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan inspired The Simpsons‘ beer, “Duff.” Recently, this theory was debunked by the show’s writer, Jay Kogen.

In an interview with TMZ, Kogen clarified that McKagan had little to no influence on the name Duff Beer. He explained the real reason behind the name:

“We named it Duff because it’s a synonym for butt, tushy, booty, and so on. Duff is a beer for people who sat on their fat ass all day.”

McKagan Firmly Believes Duff Beer Was Named After Him

Despite this, McKagan has long believed that Duff Beer was named after him. The claims have persisted since Duff Beer first appeared on The Simpsons. While the show’s writers have consistently denied McKagan’s story, the bassist remains convinced of his version of events.

In an earlier interview, McKagan recounted how the cartoon’s creators reached out to the band’s management:

“So I was Duff, the King of Beers. But this is 1988, 1989, and our management, I remember they called me and said some arthouse-like cartoon wants to use your name as the beer, like a college arthouse cartoon. There weren’t any adult cartoons at this point.”

He added:

“I didn’t know about branding or anything like that, but that show took off. And then they started selling merch and stuff. I never went after them, but I’m like, ‘Hey, motherf*ckers,’ you know?”

Despite numerous interviews where McKagan has reiterated his belief, the creators of The Simpsons continue to refute his claims. While McKagan’s version of the story adds a rock ‘n’ roll twist to the show’s history, Kogen’s explanation is clear: the name Duff was chosen for its humorous connotation, not as a nod to the Guns N’ Roses bassist.