Carlsbad-based brewery Fezziwig’s Brewing Company posted on their Facebook page yesterday that they will soon be changing their name due to a complaint by Boston Beer Company, which produces Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale.
“We here personally disagree that anyone could realistically confuse the two,” said a statement both on Facebook and on the Fezziwig’s website, “but the tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees it would cost to battle out the b/s in court means they win.”
Fezziwig’s won’t stop producing beer, however. “What it does mean is that we have to spend a bunch of time and money rebranding that we’d have much rather spent making delicious craft beer for you all to enjoy.”
Fezziwig’s plans to host a ‘Grand Renaming Party’ in May (UPDATE: Party dates are 5/31 and 6/1), and they’ll be taking suggestions for names — ones that aren’t already in use — for the next two weeks.
Wes says
B Parker is obviously a troll. Any confusion between a single beer and an entire brewery in two different states on opposite coasts is ridiculous. Shame on Boston Beer Company. And shame on Jim Koch in particular. He should be doing everything he claims to do to help the industry and reigning in his lawyers with regard to this would be a great move.
B Parker says
What were they thinking naming their company Fezziwig? Personally, I don’t blame BBC for sticking up for the name and brand.
Jolie M says
Sam Adams should be honored to have their beer confused with Fezziwig’s beers.
Hans Wangbichler says
It’s crazy to let the big guys push around the craftsmen. Ask the Alström Brothers for some help by publicizing this. They’re even in Boston! Nothing like local bad press. What about the people over at Harpoon? I’m curious if they’re saying anything bad about their neighbor. Will anything be mentioned at the Craft Beer Fest?
Charles Dickens came up with the name, not Boston Beer Company (who names their beer after a freedom fighter)
Jessica Rice says
Wow, that really sucks. That’s gonna be a ton of money down the drain.
birdie says
they should rename the brewery samadams out of spite
Kiki says
interesting how scrooge-like those sam adams’s fellas are being.