DB Breweries is proposing to close its Monteith’s small-batch brewing operation in Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island.
Monteith's
Monteith's unveils fruity new combination cider
Hello bandwagon, meet Monteith’s. I have no idea why it was included in a consumer release, except that these things seem to matter to ‘brand activation managers’ but I am sure Brews News readers will be pleased to know that in addition to now having more choice in the rapidly crowding cider market, this new… Read more →
Trouble brewing for cyclists beer in trademark row
Background to this week’s Radler trade mark decision. This article first appeared on The Punch on 31 July 2009 when the trademarking issue first raised its head.
SOBA Disappointed at Radler Registration Outcome
After deliberating the arguments and counter arguments for the last few weeks the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) has decided to uphold the registration of the term ‘Radler’ by DB Breweries. This is extremely disappointing for SOBA and represents a step backward for the New Zealand economy, setting as it does, a precedent… Read more →
Monteiths: A single source of bastardry
DB Breweries’ trade mark of the term ‘Radler’ in 2003 has been upheld by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. If you’re new to the issue, there is great TV coverage of the story here. I also covered the story a few years back, with some of that coverage below including responses from DB’s… Read more →
A single source of hype
Public relations would seem to necessarily involve hype, particularly in the beer industry where publicists need to try and differentiate between near identical lagers in order to make them seem special. This is even more so when you are one of the last on to a band wagon and need to make a me-too beer… Read more →
A win….or maybe a draw
Thanks to Geoff Griggs for just updating me on the latest in the Monteith’s trademark saga. DB Breweries has cancelled the registration of its saison trademark, but not radler. The full media release is below, but it comes down to ‘we’re not using saison so will relinquish it, but we’re using radler and so we… Read more →