Boston Beer files for Brexit trademark

Why, oh why? An attorney for the U.S. craft brewer Boston Beer on 24 June 2016, the day after Britain voted to leave the European Union, filed a trademark application for the term ‘Brexit’ to be used for a hard cider. The trademark petition was first brought to light on www.tantalizingtrademarks.com.

Boston Beer is the parent of Samuel Adams beer. It also produces Twisted Tea, a line of hard-iced teas and Angry Orchard, a line of hard ciders.

The company regularly trademarks potential names of drinks, said a company representative.

“It’s not unusual that we’d trademark so that we’d have the opportunity to brew a small batch in Walden, N.Y.,” Director of Public Relations Jessica Paar was quoted as saying. Angry Orchard brews in the Hudson Valley in New York.

What does Boston Beer see in the ‘Brexit’ label? It’s a guess that they see an analogy to their own story. Their brand Samuel Adams is named after one of America’s revolutionary leaders, who fought for independence from Britain.

After the EU referendum results, the Britain’s Nigel Farage, the leader of the UKIP party, likewise proudly proclaimed that 23 June should go down as Britain’s Independence Day.

Boston Beer is not the only one filing to trademark the term ‘Brexit’. According to reports, a Chicago individual also filed to trademark the term for clothing as well as a Colorado company, which wants to use it for dietary and nutritional supplements.

It seems as if Brexit is here to stay – in brands and otherwise.