AB InBev Thought They Could Make a Beer Called Patagonia And Now Patagonia Is Suing Them

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Patagonia, outdoor sports clothing designer, is suing beer conglomerate AB InBev over trademark infringement, claiming the beer maker “deliberately has attempted to take advantage of the hard-earned reputation Patagonia has built over the last 40 years as a company dedicated to environmental conservation,” in its lawsuit filing.

The lawsuit centers on one of AB InBev’s beer they’ve called, you guessed it, Patagonia, as well as the marketing and promotion of the beer, which Patagonia argues is confusing the marketplace. Among the examples include Anheuser-Busch setting up booths made of reclaimed wood in Colorado ski resorts, staffed with representatives wearing similarly styled black down jackets with the beer’s logo, while passing out branded products which Patagonia also makes. According to Patagonia, in addition to the misleading name, brand, and in-person promotion, AB InBev’s environmentally conscious marketing strategy also adds to the marketplace confusion.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. The outdoor company has sold a beer through its Patagonia Provisions division since 2016 called Long Root Ale. The beer uses Kernza grain instead of barley, and the company alleges in their suit that an AB InBev representative contacted Patagonia Provisions under the guise of requesting an “interview” about how Kernza is used in their ales.