Monster Energy Drinks who's owned by Hansen Beverage Co. wants a small micro brewery in Vermont to stop using the name Vermonster on their barleywine because they claim it violates Monster's trademark.The beer in question is made at Rock Art Brewing Co. in a small warehouse brewery in Morrisville, Vermont which employs seven people, and is sold in 22-ounce bombers.
Matt Nadeau, who owns the brewery with his wife, Renee, says hes been told by five trademark attorneys that the law is probably on his side, but that proving it through lengthy litigation could bankrupt him.
Despite the fact that the lawsuit is complete baseless, there is little that Matt can do simply because of financial limitations. We, the craft beer community of Utah, must do whatever we can to stop this bullshit from going any further.
Even though we can't get Rock Art's Beer here in Utah, we need to support our brother on the east coast. If we allow this to happen to Matt what is to say it won't happen to one of our local guys.
I know what your saying, "Why not just change the name"? He shouldn't have too? This is obviously a power play on the part of Hansen Beverage Co. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that they're looking at getting into the malt beverages game in the near future.
I'm going to ask that if you buy Monster or any of Hansen's products that you stop and buy from some of their competitors instead. I've been buying their coffee drink "Mean Bean" for a while now, but no more. Let these corporate hacks know how you how you feel.
Here's a video please watch it when you have the time and help a brother out.
Cheers!
