Lagunitas Drops IPA Trademark Lawsuit Against Sierra Nevada After Customer Backlash

CHICO (CBS13) — The makers of two Northern California craft brews are clashing over the design of their labels with the makings of a bar room brawl.

Two beer companies, two labels, a threatened trademark lawsuit and public backlash.

The talk at the Capitol Bar and Tap Room where craft beer lovers converge was about the sour dose of litigation infused into their hoppy happiness.

Craft brewer Lagunitas filed against craft brewer Sierra Nevada. Lagunitas quickly dropped the suit, citing public backlash. They claimed Sierra Nevada's new IPA label was too much like theirs.

Sacramento trademark attorney John Costello says the beer lawsuit is baseless.

"Beer drinkers know their beer and therefore it's hard to think that they would confuse Lagunitas with Sierra Nevada," he said.