A brewing company has failed in its bid to secure a trademark for the term ‘shandy’.
The Moutere Brewing Co made its application after being frustrated at the decision to grant one of its rivals a trademark for the term ‘radler’, reports the Nelson Mail.
Radler is the traditional German name for shandy – an alcoholic drink made by mixing together beer and lemonade.
David Watson and Andrew Cole, owners of the Moutere Brewing Co, told the news provider that they had expected the decision, and in actual fact, agreed with it.
Mr. Watson argued that companies should not be allowed to trademark styles of beers, meaning the applications for both ‘radler’ and ‘shandy’ should have been turned down.
“My concern is that if trademarking of little-known beer styles continues, it will harm the brewing industry in the long run,” he added.
“It you went back, under that logic 20 or 30 years ago, someone could have trademarked Pinot Noir.”