E-Malt.com News article: USA, OH & AZ: Thirsty Dog Brewing sues Sleepy Dog Brewery over naming rights

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. might want to consider naming a beer Legal Beagle. It would fit with the theme of the Akron brewer and would come at an appropriate time, considering current litigation over naming rights, Cleveland.com reported on April 24.

Thirsty Dog of Akron has sued Sleepy Dog Brewery in Tempe, Ariz., Thirsty Dog owner John Najeway said. At issue is similarly named ales: Thirsty Dog makes Old Leghumper, a porter. Sleepy Dog was brewing Leg Humper Hefeweizen.

As of April 24, Najeway was optimistic a solution is forthcoming.

"I think we're going to see a resolution," he said. "They have rebranded. Our lawyers and their owners will be hammering a settlement out."

On the same day, Sleepy Dog's website touted a Hefeweizen – but with no specific name.

The Akron brewery, which has been around since 1997, often assigns various dog breeds to specific styles of beer on its labels - Labrador Lager, Whippet Wheat and Irish Setter Red, to name a few. Sleepy Dog makes Red Rover Irish Ale, Wet Snout Milk Stout and Tail Chaser IPA, among others.

Lawsuits between brewers over naming rights are frequent. Last year, Great Lakes Brewing Co. had to change the name of its Alchemy Hour over a dispute with Widmer Brothers Brewing. Chillwave is the new name for the Cleveland brewer's double India Pale Ale.


25 April, 2014