Europeans angry at Kiwi brewery

Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) Inc.

European consumers angered by Kiwi brewery’s ownership of beer styles

Beer consumer groups in two European countries are up in arms over DBs hijacking of European beer style names.

In Austria and Belgium members of the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU), which represents more than 100,000 beer drinkers across Europe, have come out in support of New Zealands Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) in its action against DBs ownership of the beer style names Radler and Saison.

In Austria, one of the homes of Radler beers, the consumer group BierIG was quick to oppose DBs trademark of Radler. BierIG spokesman and vice president Markus Walcher said this sort of brand protecting could become usual, not only in New Zealand, so should be prohibited. Citing the fact that Radler is defined in both the English and German versions of Wikipedia, Mr Welcher added, So far as I understand DB brewery is applying for the brand Radler in NZ. Well, we are not experts on NZ law, but common sense says that this should not be possible, as Radler is now, since more than one century, a well known sort of beer in the German speaking countries, and obviously also in English speaking countries.

In Belgium, where saisons originated, the local consumer group, Zythos, has already written to both DB and its Dutch parent, Heineken, protesting against the trademarking of saison. Zythos has also reported the issue to the Confederation of Belgian Brewers and to the 13 traditional saison brewers in the country, encouraging them to make their thoughts known, both to Heineken and DB.

In its letter to DB, Zythos described the Kiwi brewers trademarking of saison as, an insult to all these Belgian brewers who are continuing to produce this traditional Belgian style and making it popular, not just in our country but far across our borders, apparently even in New Zealand!

The trademarking of beer style names only came to light at then end of last year when DB forced the Dunedin-based organic microbrewery, Green Man, to re-label its entire production run of Radler, or face costly legal action. Subsequent investigation revealed that DB had also trademarked Saison.

SOBA is a growing consumer organisation which seeks to encourage the broader availability and appreciation of high quality beers through education and a sensible approach to drinking.

ENDS

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