Beer Battle Over IPA Label Between Lagunitas And Sierra Nevada Fizzles Out
PETALUMA (CBS SF) – After threatening to sue Chico-based Sierra Nevada Brewing Company over the styling of the IPA in the company's Hop Hunter beer, Petaluma-based Lagunitas Brewing Company has done an about-face.
In a series of messages on Twitter Tuesday night, Lagunitas founder and owner Tony Magee said he is dropping the infringement suit, after hearing from "the court of public opinion."
At issue was the similarity between Lagunitas' India Pale Ale beer and Sierra Nevada's new Hop Hunter IPA. In a statement on its website, Lagunitas said "This is not about IPA. There are thousands of IPAs in the country that use the letters IPA and remain truly unique in flavor, and branding. This is about design. This is about symbols and archetypes and memes."
Lagunitas said they tried talking to Sierra Nevada and dealing with issue privately, but felt that "their core was challenged and we need to respond."
On Twitter, Magee said "January 13th has been the worst day ever in 23 years of growing my brewery." He added that he was "seriously schooled and I heard you well."
