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beer stories: news
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BEER NEWS - February 2011
Battle of the Buds
The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice has advised that the court rule against the attempt of Anheuser-Busch (maker of US Budweiser beer) to invalidate Czech rival Budvar's
concurrent trade mark for the 'Budweiser' name. Both companies were given permission by the Court of Appeal to simultaneously register the 'Budweiser' trade mark in 2000, given their long-standing
history of honest co-existence in the UK market. However, in 2005, Anheuser-Busch started legal action to invalidate Budvar's 'Budweiser' mark on the grounds that their application for the
registration of the mark in the UK (1976) predates Budvar's application (1989). The Advocate General's opinion on questions referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) by the Court of
Appeal regarding the case sides with Budvar, affirms that there is no room for Anheuser-Busch's argument in European law. The final judgment - on which the AG opinion is non-binding -
is expected at a later date. Marks & Clerk Solicitors LLP acted for the Czech brewers. Kirsten Gilbert, Partner, commented: "We are pleased with the favourable tenor of the AG's opinion.
The two brands have co-existed in the UK for decades, differing in image, taste, price, and target market. The identical nature of the 'Budweiser' marks is an honest, historical co-incidence,
and causes no significant confusion amongst UK consumers. We now await the ECJ's final ruling, in the hope that it will concur with the AG's opinion."
Coors gobbles Sharp's
Molson Coors (UK) announced on February 2nd the acquisition of the award-winning Sharp's Brewery Ltd, including the popular Doom Bar brand. Founded in 1994, Sharp's Brewery is a modern
brewer of cask conditioned beer based at Rock in Cornwall and has grown rapidly in recent years. Doom Bar, already the number one selling cask brand in the South West and Wales and, apparently,
the fastest growing cask brand in Greater London, represents "a tremendous opportunity for growth in volume and distribution." Mark Hunter, Chief Executive, Molson Coors (UK & Ireland) said:
"The Doom Bar brand has a loyal following and excellent reputation amongst consumers and customers alike and has the potential to become a truly extraordinary
brand. We have a wealth of experience with this type of venture and an excellent track record of building brands across all markets. The team at Sharp's have a passion for brewing beer of the
highest quality with the finest natural ingredients available making this a great marriage of two businesses with similar values. This is a new chapter for Sharp's Brewery." Nick Baker,
Managing Director Sharp's Brewery commented, "We have worked exceptionally well with Molson Coors for many years and they have played an important part in the growth of Sharp's Brewery.
We recognised that they have the capabilities, comprehensive routes to market and the culture to build on and accelerate the progress the business is making which is why we are delighted
to have done this deal."
Oval balls
Greene King IPA is delighted to announce that its sponsorship of the RFU, together with its 'Official Beer of England Rugby' title, has been extended until the end of the 2011/12 season, which
will take the partnership into its sixth year. When the Suffolk brewers first agreed the sponsorship, they immediately introduced cask ale to Twickenham, the Home of England Rugby, and
Greene King IPA has since been an integral part of the live matchday experience at the stadium. Demand has grown to the extent that at Twickenham's famous Rose and Crown pub marquee,
Greene King IPA outsells lager by more than 20%. The Rose and Crown will open again on 12 February as England entertain Italy in the RBS 6 Nations.
Dom South, marketing director for Greene King Brewing Company, said "Cask ale has a rich tradition within rugby and we're thrilled to have extended Greene King IPA's successful
relationship with the game. When it became Official Beer, supporters welcomed the opportunity to buy a 'proper pint' as part of the matchday experience."
Cask ale on the menu
It's the backbone of the British pub cellar - but half of Brits admit to never having tried a pint of classic Cask Ale.
A hefty 48 per cent of those questioned hadn't ever sampled the national drink, despite the reported surge in popularity over recent years, so national pub group Ember has launched a 'Cask Ale Menu'
to aid curious drinkers. And, to reach the younger age groups of 18-24 and 25-34 year olds - ranking as the least savvy-suppers of Cask - Ember has launched a Cask Calculator facebook
tab to generate suggestions for these younger drinkers. The West Midlands and North East regions come out on top as Cask drinkers, with 57 per cent in both regions having sampled Cask Ale.
Only one in three of those in Northern Ireland - traditionally stout drinkers - have tried Cask, while Londoners are also behind the times.
Andre Johnstone, senior marketing manager at Ember, said: "As the national drink, it's pretty shocking that half of British pub-goes haven't ever tried Cask Ale. With varieties now spanning
from dark and rich through to lighter, easy drinking brews, there really is a pint for everyone and every occasion."
Britons Backing Beer
Celebrity chef Mark Hix is behind a new initiative called 'Britons Backing Beer' that aims to unite hop farmers, barley farmers, brewers, publicans, politicians, chefs, catering schools and
celebrities in promoting beer. Restaurateur and food writer Hix (left of picture) and 'beer guru' Rupert Ponsonby (right of picture) launched "a movement to grow awareness of the brilliance
of beer and its many styles." They intend that their initiative will forge closer links between those involved in growing, retailing, serving or legislating on beer in the UK, as well as boosting
the service of beer at tax-payer funder events. Comments Ponsonby: "Beer massively underplays its strengths. It so often adopts the meekness and humility of the Trappist monk, rather than the
voluble style of the opera diva, as practiced so effectively by wine. Beer is often left to speak for itself. It won't, unless we work more closely together to encourage all Britons to
embrace our National Drink." Some of the movements recommendations are that hop and barley farmers invite local politicians to see their work, that every restaurant should stock at least five
'distinctive beers' and that catering schools should teach their students about beer and food matching, and not just wine and food.
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