David and Goliath

Last week, California-based craft beer-maker Stone Brewing, which has a brewery here in Richmond, filed a lawsuit against MillerCoors. Yes, that MillerCoors. According to Stone’s news release, the suit alleges that the world’s largest beer conglomerate has re-branded its Keystone beer as just “Stone.”   

In the news release, Stone Brewing’s chief executive says Keystone’s re-branding is no accident.

“MillerCoors tried to register our name years ago and was rejected.  Now its marketing team is making 30-pack boxes stacked high with nothing but the word ‘Stone’ visible. Same for Keystone’s social media, which almost uniformly has dropped the ‘Key,'” he says. “We will not stand for this kind of overtly and aggressively deceptive advertising. Frankly, MillerCoors should be ashamed.”

Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch stated on Twitter that it’s “best we focus on brewing great beer,” and thus won’t be responding to questions about the lawsuit. MillerCoors did not respond to a request for comment.

Looking ahead

Remember last week when we mentioned that Don’t Look Back will open a new location on Forest Hill Avenue this summer? Well when it rains it pours, because the taco spot with a cult following just posted a photo of the old bar sign of the defunct Triple bar in Scott’s Addition. And yes, that means exactly what you hope it means — according to the restaurant’s website, the Triple location will open this spring.

Movin’ on up

Last week, the Answer Brewpub announced on Facebook that its head brewer Brandon Tolbert will soon venture out on his own to open (surprise!) a new brewery. We don’t know much about the forthcoming Safety Team Brewing Co. at this point, but we’ll keep you posted.   

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