Czech brewer Budweiser Budvar has won an epic battle with US
The appeal court's decision paves the way for a novel sharing arrangement. "This ruling creates a unique trademark situation in which both companies retain the rights to use the "Bud" and "Budweiser" names in the UK", said John Slater, managing partner of Marks & Clerk, one of the Czech brewer's legal representatives. John Harley, chief executive officer of Budweiser Budvar UK, said the ruling could result in the introduction of Bud Superstrong a 7.2% abv lager brewed in the Czech Republic, which is lagered for not less than 200 days, compared with Budvar 90-day fermentation period. Harley said: "Of course, it would only be seasonal and with a very restricted market". * * * * * A bitter war of words has erupted in the wake of brewer John Eastwood leaving Elland, West Yorkshire brewery Eastwood and Sanders just over six months since the company was set up, and which uses his name. The brewery was set up last April from the merger of the Barge & Barrel and West Yorkshire Beers and is headed by managing director Tim Drake, who formerly headed White Rose Inns until it was acquired by Punch. The 10-barrel capacity brewery takes its name from Eastwood and fellow brewer David Sanders. Eastwood claimed that he was dismissed on 1 November because he refused to disclose to the company "my own personal recipes which I have been using for the company's benefit since 1998 and which are not, and never have been, the property of either the Barge & Barrel Company or the newly-formed Eastwood and Sanders". In a statement, the company said: "As the names implies, Eastwood and Sanders is not just about one individual. It was always intended to be a partnership where brewing knowledge and experience was shared for the benefit of everyone involved in the organisation. Regretfully, it was a reluctance by John to embrace such principles that has led to him leaving the brewery." The company said there are no plans to change its trading name and that customers will still be "offered the same range of quality beers". In an unrelated move, licensed trade representative Bob Baume has joined Eastwood and Sanders after leaving the Black Sheep Brewery in North Yorkshire. Baume helped build sales for Black Sheep's beers over the past eight years and joins the fledgling Elland company to do a similar job. Brews emanating from Eastwood and Sanders include Nettlethrasher, Beyond the Pale, and Best Bitter. * * * * * Harviestoun Brewery's Bitter & Twisted has been voted Camra's champion beer of Scotland. It beat off Orkney Brewery's Dark Island and Red MacGregor, which took silver and bronze respectively. Camra describes 3.8% abv Bitter & Twisted as a "refreshingly hoppy beer with fruit throughout" and having "a bitter-sweet taste with a long dry, bitter finish a golden session beer". It was also won the same accolade in 1999. Colin Valentine, Camra's national executive, congratulated Harviestoun on the award and added: "It's been a great year for Scottish brewing with Caledonian Deuchars IPA winning the champion beer of Britain award in August. Scottish brewers are leading the way with distinctive flavoursome beers brewed using the finest, often local ingredients." * * * * * Oranjeboom, the Dutch pilsener, is introducing new branded glass that it hopes will encourage people to think metric. The glasses will bear the legend "The 568 Euro pint glass" a reference to the fact that 568ml equals one pint. Brand development manager Charlie Holland said: "We're encouraging our customers to ask for a 568 of Oranjeboom' instead of a pint." A scratchcard campaign will accompany the promotion offering customers the chance of winning a glass. Drinkers will be asked to say whether a questions about European Commission legislation are true or false, such as are carrots classified as a fruit under an EC directive. Holland added: "We're taking a gentle dig at some of the more offbeat examples of European legislation, which fits neatly with our recent marketing campaign positioning Oranjeboom as "quirkily continental'." Oranjeboom is brewed under licence in the UK by Shepherd Neame. * * * * * Newcastle Brown is embarking on what is claimed to be the UK's largest-ever taxi advertising campaign. Under a £500,000 deal, 80 of Newcastle's black cabs will bear the Newcastle Brown logo and famous Blue Star together with one of three banners "America's favourite", "Australia's favourite" or "China's favourite". Tip seats in the cabs will carry messages, such as "Tens of thousands of pints were drunk in China last year." Marketing manager Sharon Annette said the taxis "will be seen by 96% of all adults (in Tyneside) more than 500 times over the next year, positioning Newcastle Brown at the heart of a great night out for locals and visitors alike".
