Craft Brew News
02/14/20
(Courtesy of Brewbound – www.brewbound.com)

Future Proof Sues Molson Coors for Trademark Infringement

The parent company of Brizzy Seltzer Cocktails has filed a lawsuit against Molson Coors Beverage Company, alleging that the second largest U.S. beer manufacturer’s Vizzy Hard Seltzer name “is nearly identical to Brizzy in sight, sound and appearance” and infringes upon its trademark.

Austin, Texas-based Future Proof, which makes Brizzy, is seeking a jury trial, and asking the court to stop Molson Coors from using the Vizzy trademark to sell, market and distribute alcoholic beverages. The company is also seeking three times the damages outlined in the complaint plus court costs and legal fees.

Future Proof filed a trademark application for Brizzy on November, 30 2018. Brizzy launched in September 2019 in three flavors. Within 90 days of its release, Brizzy gained placements in more than 1,000 retail locations in four states: Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Michigan. Future Proof has sold more than 10,000 cases since Brizzy’s launch.

Molson Coors plans to release Vizzy in late March. The company touts it as “the first hard seltzer made with acerola cherry, the super fruit high in the antioxidant vitamin C,” according to its Behind the Beer blog. Vizzy was first announced during the company’s Q3 2019 earnings call.

The lawsuit alleges that Molson Coors executives were aware of Brizzy’s name and branding and proceeded with Vizzy despite the similarities.

Coronavirus Affects Beer Sales and Production in China

Bars, restaurants and nightclubs across China are shutting down amid panic over the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 30,000 people worldwide and resulted in more than 600 deaths, according to the Associated Press.

The closures are resulting in decreased beer sales and other disruptions to the global beer industry, according to Fortune. Anheuser-Busch InBev suspended operations at its brewery in Wuhan, the province where the outbreak began.

Danish brewer Carlsberg has reported that its on-premise sales in China have been “significantly impacted,” according to Fortune. Dutch brewer Heineken announced it was restricting employee travel to China as a precaution, according to Just Drinks.

Brooklyn Brewery Opens Tokyo Taproom

Brooklyn Brewery is continuing its international expansion, with the opening of B at K5, a tasting room in the Nihonbashi neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan.

The New York beer company called Tokyo its “first international market,” dating back to 1989 when Brooklyn Lager was imported into the city. The opening is just in time for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

International expansion is nothing new for Brooklyn, which operates several joint ventures around the globe. Brooklyn’s ties to Japan go even deeper; Japanese beer maker Kirin owns 24.5% of the company following a 2016 transaction.

Boston Beer Strikes Truly Sponsorship with Florida Panthers

Truly Hard Seltzer maker the Boston Beer Company has struck a multi-year sponsorship deal with the NHL’s Florida Panthers to make the brand the “official hard seltzer” of the team.

In a press release, the club announced that Truly “can now be found in select clubs, concession areas and bars throughout the BB&T Center.”

Boston Beer inked a five-year deal in September making Truly the “official hard seltzer” of the National Hockey League.

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