This may seem uncomfortably close to advertising for some sensibilities, but here goes:
I have been a huge Rock Art fan since hitting VT in 2002. Their beers are very good to excellent imo.
(crossposted from Green Mountain Daily)
The Vermonster was something I bought for the first time when I came up here from Fall River, MA to interview for the position I now hold.
See that on the label where it says "Ridge Runner's Big Brother"?
Ridge Runner is one of my three or four favorite beers on the planet. Up there with Smuttynose IPA, and Rock Art's Belvedere Big IPA...not to mention that Vermonster.
And now? The makers of Monster Energy Drink are threatening legal action against Morrisville's Rock Art brewery, owned by Matt and Renee Nadeau.
Their claim?
People might confuse an energy drink in a can with a beer in a bottle.
As ridiculous as this is, I've got more on the jump.
Matt Nadeau is vowing to fight on:
Matt Nadeau said Rock Art plans to fight even though his attorney said costs might start to mount.
"Just don’t forget, it could get nasty," Nadeau said his attorney advised. He received a reply Friday from Monster’s attorney. Nadeau said he couldn’t discuss the letter in detail, but dismissed it as "a ridiculous reply."
and I support him 100%.
I will never again drink Monster Energy Drink. This is ridiculous indeed; a classic example of a corporate entity bullying a small business.
If you are one of my facebook friends, you've probably received my invitation to join this group. If you'd like to read more about this Good Fight, a huge linkdump is here.
This isn't just about one small brewery. It's about a family owned business whose very nature reflects the unique character of our state.
Yes, I'm pissed about this. And I hope you are too.
Rock Art Brewery was born in the mountains of Vermont, inspired by the spirit of Kokopelli and guided by the beers of the world. The brewery name symbolizes ancient petroglyphs, images that were etched in rock, therefore "Rock Art". Kokopelli is one of those images and some believed him to be a wandering flute player that brought music and good times to the people that he visited.
Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with a huge phallus and feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by some Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music.[1]
In September, 2009, Hansen Natural brand Monster Energy sent a 'cease and desist' letter to Rock Art Brewery about its Vermonster series of microbrew beers, saying "VERMONSTER in connection with beer will undoubtedly create a likelihood and/or dilute the distinctive quality of Hansen's MONSTER marks." Hansen Beverage Co. has sought reimbursement for legal expenses and asked Rock Art to abandon a trademark application. Hansen has trademarks for "Monster" and "Monster Energy." [1] [2] Ironically, Brooklyn Brewery has been using the name Monster since the late 90's, prior to the creation of Monster Energy drinks.
Emphasis mine.
Let's hope this trickster god comes through for Matt and Renee and turns things around so the joke ends up being on Hansen Natural Beverage.
Note: Rock Art is the official microbrew of the Catamount Tavern. Really. It is.
The name Catamount Tavern came about when Grantees from New Hampshire posted a stuffed catamount on the tavern's signpost to repel the New Yorkers who claimed their land. The Catamount served as headquarters for the Green Mountain Boys while making their plans against the New Yorkers and the British. Ethan Allen planned the capture of Fort Ticonderoga here and John Stark planned British General Burgoynes defeat here which turned out to be successful in the famous Battle of Bennington. The Catamount was also the meeting place of Vermont's only form of government then, the Vermont Council of Safety.