Thunder Road Brewery Pacific Ale wins battle with Byron Bay brewer over beer branding

THE SIGNATURE ale of a microbrewery in Melbourne’s inner north will be flowing freely again after the company won a “battle for the little guy” over branding.

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BRUNSWICK’S Thunder Road Brewery Pacific Ale will be flowing generously again after the company won a “battle for the little guy” legal fight over beer branding.

The stoush began in 2015 when Byron Bay’s Stone & Wood claimed Thunder Road had infringed its registered trademark by naming one of their beers ‘Pacific Ale’.

Stone & Wood’s took their case to the Federal Court where it was dismissed in 2016.

They appealed but that a panel of three senior judges dismissed that appeal on March 9, all but putting an end to the drawn out saga.

Thunder Road CEO Philip Withers said the victory was “vindication” for his company.

“We’re delighted, this is a win for the little guy, big guys can’t be pushing little guys around,” Mr Withers said.

“The business has been held back enormously, we’re out of pocket but we’ll be working hard to recoup those losses.”

Mr Withers said Thunder Road had been “gearing up to sell millions and millions” of litres of Pacific Ale but scrapped plans after pubs and retailers were hesitant to take the product while the matter was at court.

He hopes now to get “any support” he can to put the product back into local bars and shops.

“The more we can sell means the more we can manufacture which means more local jobs,” Mr Withers said.

In the meantime, Thunder Road will “strongly consider” countersuing Stone & Wood after the Federal Court also ruled the latter’s action was a “groundless threat”.

“It was a complete falsehood, why would a Brunswick brewer want to identify like a Byron Bay brewer,” Mr Withers said.

“And why would a Brunswick beer drinker want to be associated with Byron Bay.”

Stone & Wood Managing Director Ben Summons said the judgement was “closure” for his company.

“It wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about making a stand on behalf of our community,” he said.

“We also understand it’s a cluttered market and occasionally we, as an industry, unknowingly step on each other’s toes.

“Our stance is about trying to maintain a respectful industry.”