The Topic- Lagunitas and Sierra: a proven way to get media attention?
Ken Carman is a BJCP judge; homebrewer since 1979, club member at Escambia Bay, Salt City and Music City Homebrewers, who has been interviewing professional brewers all over the east coast for over 10 years.
Written by Ken Carman
You’re kidding.
AGAIN???
Look, this has even less cred than that stupid West 6th/Magic Hat logo nonsense. If you remember my column on that garbage lawsuit, Magic Hat sued because their logos were too similar. And I pointed out all the differences and basically stated, “Similar my…”
Now they think they can own: trademark, the use of the name of a style of beer, IPA? I’m waiting for lawsuits over the use of Specialty, Lager, American Stout, spice/herb/vegetable beer. Will Brussels sue over exclusive use of Brussels Sprout Beer if someone dares brew it? Hmm… I’m guessing someone already has. Many of us brewers are experimental, for sure.
Ah, but, like the previous feltergarb, I’m guessing this is just an attempt to get attention. Hey, free press, name recognition and you settle 
out of court, money passes back and forth: some under, some over, the table to satisfy legal obligations and, what a bonanza for lawyers!
Really? Do some craft brewers think so little of their product they have to use tactics they’d mock Miller/Coors for using?
One of my fav bloggers: Bartcop, once said: to paraphrase, make a mistake that makes money and you can be sure they will make that mistake again. This is a variation: “create a bogus claim that gets a buzz on in the media, and online, and there will be more bogus claims.
I believe this so much I am considering calling my next IPA I Brewed a Palate Challenging Beverage.
No, I’m not. I’m calling it “IPA.” And if I ever go pro I will label it “IPA.”
Go suck on your own ethically challenged, attention getting, lawsuit suds, guys.
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Brew Biz: Werts and All, is a column dedicated to reviewing, discussing and commenting on all things beer including, but not limited to: marketing, homebrewing and homebrew/beer related events, how society perceives all things beer. Also: reviews of beer related businesses, opinions about trends in the beer business, and all the various homebrew, judging and organizations related to beer. Essentially, all things “beer.”