The Alchemist Pub And Brewery

My Dear Alchemist faithful,

I don’t know if you are aware of the bullshit one of my fellow brewers is going through, but you must have a look at this. The following is a letter I received from my professional associate Jeff Baker.  Please take the time to read it, and

PLEASE

do your part to never buy another Monster product again.  (it’ll only make you fat anyway),

AND

send this to as many of your friends as you can (especially
if they drink that crap).

To whom it may concern:

I am writing you today to bring your attention to the legal action pending between Hansen’s Natural of Corona, CA, and Rock Art Brewery of Morrisville, VT. I am also writing to ask for your company’s assistance.

Hansen’s has issued Rock Art a “cease and desist” order regarding their barley-wine ale “The Vermonster.” The order claims that use of this term is in violation of national trademarks held by Monster Energy, a subsidiary of
Hansen. Their lawyer has stated that continued use of this term will “undoubtedly create a likelihood of confusion and/or dilute the distinctive quality of Hansen’s Monster marks.” Rock Art has responded with an offer to stay out of the energy drink business if Monster will allow him to continue in the beer business. Their lawyer responded claiming that
Hansen is not concerned with Rock Art entering the non-alcoholic business, but rather that her client has plans to start business in the alcoholic beverage category.

Rock Art Brewery has consulted with 5 trademark lawyers thus far, and all have quickly agreed there is no trademark infringement and have dubbed this a “nuisance suit.” Rock Art will most likely win any legal battle, but will be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, something the brewery claims they can’t afford. Matt Nadeau, owner of Rock Art Brewery, says that although this is not a do-or-die situation for the brewery since he can change the name of the beer, he is standing up for his legal rights. His company is undoubtedly clear of any legal wrong-doing, yet since Rock Art grosses less than Hansen annually, he will most likely have to concede to their whims. When a publicly-traded corporation which grosses more than $600 million annually takes frivolous legal action against a family-owned company with less than 10 employees it can only be described as bullying.

To show support for a fellow Vermont independent company many businesses have removed Hansen/Monster products,
signage, displays and advertisements from their stores and restaurants.

This list includes Beverage Warehouse (retail, Winooski), Pearl Street Beverage (retail, Burlington) and Val’s Wild Tomato (restaurant, Winooski) while many others statewide are considering doing the same.

Here’s where you come in:

I am calling on all Vermont breweries to stand united with Rock Art. When one Vermont craft brewer is attacked by a corporate giant it is an attack on all Vermont craft brewers. I urge you to show your support by issuing a Press Release that your brewery is standing united with Rock Art. You can also contact Hansen/Monster (see below) and remove Hansen/Monster products from your workplace. Please consider notifying your staff and employees of the situation so that they can also show their support. Lastly, please consider calling Rock Art and let them know you’re on their side. They need all the help they can get right now. Their contact info is below.

If we stand together as Vermonters we can help protect small, independent Vermont companies from being run out of business by outside mega-corporations.

Thank you for your consideration and I hope you and your company will show your support soon!
Sincerely,
Jeff Baker
Burlington, VT

Here are important links that have both some more background and contact information. Do your part, post comments across the web, join groups, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Thank you for taking the time to support the little guy.

-John

Facebook Group Against Monster

Beer Advocate Forum

National News Coverage

More National News

Kick Monster In The Teeth (send ‘em an e-mail!)

Rock Art Brewery Support Page

and I’ve saved the best for last, a fantastic video interview with Matt:

You know those plants that I have growing up the side of The Alchemist?  There is, right now,

A LIMITED SUPPLY OF FREE HOPS RHIZOMES AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO PICK-UP AND PLANT!  ONE PER CUSTOMER PLEASE! So…

The hops on the side of our building have been dug up, moved and replanted.  What a pain in the ass.  The reason I had to move them is because over the last 6 years, they have slowly crept ever closer to the base of our foundation.  It’s not so much that I’m concerned about the foundation (it’s built of massive granite blocks), it’s that the hops were too close to the building and there was insufficient air circulation.  The yield might be a lot less next year, but we’ll see.  Some of the main roots were as big around as my wrist and looked like underground grape vines. With that said,

This offer is on a first come first served basis, so just swing on by The Alchemist and talk to us.  But hurry, as they are kinda perishable, no…really perishable.

There is no telling what you are getting.  Could be Cascade, Chinook, Fuggles or Willamette; or anything else I have planted but forgotten.  There are 14 bags of very healthy, and very generous cuttings.  Each bag will give you a very vigorous vine next spring.  They should be kept in your refrigerator and planted IMMEDIATELY.  I recommend putting them in front of a brick wall as I have.  The spring sun heats up the brick during the day and gives them an amazing head start.  I’ve had nothing but great success with this location.  If this isn’t possible, I’ve seen cool things done with old tractor tires filled with dirt.  The black rubber does similar things in the spring. Sunny sides of barns as well.  And don’t forget SUN, SUN, SUN.  If you need any more information than that, search online.

Come and get’em!

John