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Last Call: Spirits Lead Seltzer/RTD Label Approvals, Says BW166; July 4 Weekend Brings Out 53% of Consumers, CGA Reports

Last Call: Spirits Lead Seltzer/RTD Label Approvals, Says BW166; July 4 Weekend Brings Out 53% of Consumers, CGA Reports

Consulting firm BW166 reported that label approvals for seltzer and seltzer-like products are accelerating, with approvals trending at 334 per month compared to the 228 per month in 2020. More than half (53%) of on-premise visitors went to a bar or restaurant during the July 4 weekend, according to CGA, an on-premise market research firm.

Jack’s Abby Signs with Sheehan Family Companies for Statewide Massachusetts Distribution Following Breakup with Atlantic

Jack’s Abby Signs with Sheehan Family Companies for Statewide Massachusetts Distribution Following Breakup with Atlantic

Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers and sister brand Springdale Beer Company have signed with Sheehan Family Companies to distribute its offerings statewide in Massachusetts, the company announced today. Sheehan subsidiaries Craft Massachusetts (Boston, central and western Massachusetts), L. Knife & Son (southeastern Massachusetts), and Seaboard Products (northeastern Massachusetts) will begin distributing Jack’s Abby products starting today.

Legal Roundup: Sierra Nevada Counter Sues Matagrano; Grupo Modelo-Constellation Brands Lawsuit Continues

Legal Roundup: Sierra Nevada Counter Sues Matagrano; Grupo Modelo-Constellation Brands Lawsuit Continues

Sierra Nevada has filed a counter lawsuit against Matagrano, Inc., the Chico-headquartered craft brewery’s former South San Francisco-based wholesaler, in the Superior Court of the state of California, County of San Mateo. The trademark lawsuit between Constellation Brands and Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Grupo Modelo over the former’s ability to produce and sell Corona Hard Seltzer will continue, despite Constellation’s motion to dismiss, a federal judge ruled this week.

Sheehan Family Lawsuit: Beer Wholesaler Patriarch Seeks Dismissal of Son’s Lawsuit

Sheehan Family Lawsuit: Beer Wholesaler Patriarch Seeks Dismissal of Son’s Lawsuit

The Sheehan family civil lawsuit continues to play out in Massachusetts’ Suffolk Superior Court. In the latest development, the defendants, Gerald “Jerry” and Maureen Sheehan, along with several of the family businesses, have asked the court to dismiss all counts against them, according to a February 18 filing that hit the docket last week.

Heineken Strikes 2 Sports Sponsorship Deals, While Lawsuit with Biscayne Bay Brewing Continues

Heineken Strikes 2 Sports Sponsorship Deals, While Lawsuit with Biscayne Bay Brewing Continues

Heineken USA today announced a pair of sports sponsorships — including the company’s first National Football League partnership — signaling the company’s ongoing interest in building its business with professional sports leagues, teams and arenas. However, the company remains embroiled in what started as a trademark infringement lawsuit and has evolved into a trade practice dispute between the Duch beer giant and Miami-based Biscayne Bay Brewing centered around the latter’s now terminated sponsorship with the Inter Miami MLS team.

Suzie’s Brewery and Anheuser-Busch InBev Settle Organic Hard Seltzer Lawsuit

Suzie’s Brewery and Anheuser-Busch InBev Settle Organic Hard Seltzer Lawsuit

Suzie’s Brewery, maker of Suzie’s Organic Hard Seltzer, and Anheuser-Busch InBev agreed earlier this week to settle the Oregon company’s lawsuit against the world’s largest beer manufacturer for allegedly engaging in deceptive advertising practices for its Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer brand.

Matagrano Files Breach of Contract Lawsuit Against Sierra Nevada, Following Termination

Matagrano Files Breach of Contract Lawsuit Against Sierra Nevada, Following Termination

Matagrano, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. alleging the Chico-headquartered craft brewery breached the companies’ contract when it terminated its relationship with the South San Francisco-based wholesaler on April 2. In a lawsuit filed in Superior Court of the state of California on April 23, 20 years to the day after Sierra Nevada signed on with Matagrano for distribution, the wholesaler alleged that “as a result of defendant’s breach of the distributorship agreement, Matagrano has been damaged in an amount not yet ascertained, but which exceeds $8 million.”

Mark Anthony Brands Seeks Injunction Against Bang Energy’s MIXX Hard Seltzer

Mark Anthony Brands Seeks Injunction Against Bang Energy’s MIXX Hard Seltzer

White Claw Hard Seltzer and Mike’s Hard Lemonade maker Mark Anthony Brands has filed a lawsuit against Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bang Energy LLC alleging copyright infringement in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York. In the lawsuit filed April 26, Mark Anthony argues that the defendants’ MIXX flavored malt beverages infringe on its MXD Cocktail Company flavored malt beverages and may cause consumer confusion.