Strange Brewing Company (SBC) located in Denver, Colo., was notified in September that they would need to cease commercial use of ‘Strange Brewing Company’ because of the trademarked “Strange Brew” owned by a homebrew shop in Marlboro, Mass., operating under the name Strange Brew Beer and Winemaking Supplies.
SBC was notified in a letter, which was published by Denver Westword, stating: “’Strange Brewing Company’ is causing and is likely to continue to cause consumer confusion, deception, damage to my client’s good will, brand name and reputation, and constitutes a direct infringement of my client’s federal trademark rights.”
In an effort to settle the matter out of court, Tim Myers,SBC Head Brewer, suggested a cross-marketing solution between the two stores, through the sale of a beer kit. In Myers response he states: “In the homebrew and craft brew spirit of ‘Collaboration Not Litigation’ we would request a meeting with your client to discuss these options before entering into a protracted legal dispute.” The idea was promptly rejected and the homebrew shop has insisted on formal legal action by the courts.
Although a collaborative effort was not reached by the two litigating companies, camaraderie in the craft brewing industry has stepped up to help the revered SBC. The Rackhouse Pub is hosting S.O.S.! Save Our Strange! – Strange Days Beer Fest on January 27, 2013. In a resounding mutual effort to help the Colorado brewery through its legal litigation, two dozen Colorado breweries have contributed beer and support for owners John Fletcher and Myers.
The festival looks to include a fine sampling of beers to be tapped at this unique beer fest held at The Rackhouse Pub on South Kalamath Street in Denver.
Tickets to the event are selling fast! For more info, to purchase tickets and view the participating breweries list, visit RackhousePub.com/SOS
Andrew Kaczmarek, is the current Craft Beer Program Intern, hop farmer, beer writer for the CU Independent, homebrewer and student at the University of Colorado in his final semester. When not pursuing hoppyness, as a Colorado native, he spends his free time skiing, camping or biking in the Rocky Mountains.
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