America’s #1 rated brewery?

I’m passing this along because even though it’s not exactly new I hadn’t seen it until the other day and it strikes me as too silly not to point out.

The headline in Madison, Wis., reads: “Feud brews between Capital, Bud.”

Capital Brewery outside of Madison wants to trademark the phrase “America’s #1 Rated Brewery.”

Anheuser-Busch objects, and the legal challenge consists of documents totaling more than 150 pages.

Capital’s trademark application is based on an award from the 1998 World Beer Championships, which are held by the Beverage Tasting Institute. Capital ended the year ranked seventh overall with an average score of 90.6. The six top brewers were all from Europe, hence the phrase “America’s #1 Rated Brewer.”

I’ve rambled on enough here (and of course will again) about the folly of assigning numbers to beer. And although the BTI often gives high scores to beers I really like I wouldn’t base a decision to buy a beer based on their scores or tasting notes.

But now I’m thinking, 150 pages of legal documents . . . A-B seems to be taking this seriously. Maybe I should as well.

On second thought, it’s still nothing but silly.

7 thoughts on “America’s #1 rated brewery?”

  1. There’s been much thrown around about BTI and their practices, whether or not they take “donations” to stay in business and all, but I’ll defer to Mr. Bryson on this debate: it’s all about the beer — what’s in the glass.

    Having sampled both products numerous times over the years, I think it’s obvious to me who should be rated the #1 Brewery between these 2 breweries — at least if we’re talking quality.

    Now — to that final paragraph of the article, what’s up there? We can’t have 2 brothers fighting over something as silly as a simple name, can we?

  2. Now — to that final paragraph of the article, what’s up there? We can’t have 2 brothers fighting over something as silly as a simple name, can we?

    Sure you can, and have many times. That’s why Collaboration Not Litigation is such a breath of fresh air.

  4. “That’s why Collaboration Not Litigation is such a breath of fresh air.”

    Yeah — now THAT’s the way to get along! Win-win.

    I don’t think I can pick sides between Capital and SN. Any news on how that turned out?

  5. Any news on how that turned out?

    I’m guessing Cap lost or backed down considering, as I completely forgot, Capital’s Summer seasonal is called simply “Fest.” I can’t recall the time it was called Summerfest, then again – there’s much I can’t recall.

  6. Yes, these bodies seeking to rank world beers are pointless.

    We should be more focussed on nurturing, preserving (where appropriate) and developing local beer cultures, not pitting brews against each other in global showdowns.

  7. I don’t want to choose sides but I’m not sure AB is out of line here. After all Sam Adams was not allowed to trademark their “Best beer in America” slogan. And I’ve also heard the same thing that Steveh has heard about BTI and the possibility that their rankings or awards may be bought and sold and are considered meaningless among craft brewers. I’d rather drink any Capital brew but I’m not sure I think they have the right to trademark that slogan.

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