Small Brewer Wins a Round Against Bud

A small craft brewer from Kansas City’s southern fringe has taken the first round in a legal battle with national brewing giant Anheuser Busch, one of the largest employers in St. Louis.

According to Bloomberg news, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s has filed a federal application to register the phrase “Brewed the Hard Way,” for its marketing efforts. That phrase made its way into the company’s Super Bowl commercial, ostensibly suggesting that boutique brewers took an easier path to final fermentation.

Upon further review, however, trademark office sent a letter informing Anheuser-Busch officials that it was suspending the big brewer’s application. Reason? Martin City has a pending application for its signature Hard Way IPA.