SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane's No-Li Brewhouse is suing Redhook Brewery over their 'Big Juicy' beer.
No-Li says Redhook, which was founded in Seattle, is infringing on their trademark of the beer.
On the Redhook brewery's homepage, an image of 'The newest member of the big Ballard Family,' shows an image of their newest beer, the 'Big Juicy Ballard.'
No-Li told KREM 2 that Redhook allegedly bought kegs of the No-Li 'Big Juicy' beer and were promoting it on their social media.
After seeing the social media post, No-Li owners, John and Cindy Bryant went to visit a Redhook location. According to Cindy, the couple went into the brewhouse and asked for a "No-Li Big Juicy," to which an employee told them that they don't carry it. Cindy said the employee told Josh that the brewery has "a better Big Juicy. It's our Big Juicy."
"You wanna feel like a quick hit of pain, you feel that" John said.
This isn't the first time No-Li has had trouble with something like this. Back in 2019, a Chicago brewery had named one of their beers 'Born and Raised,' like No-Li's.
This was different because both companies owned some rights to the name.
This time, No-Li's owners says this new 'Big Juicy Ballard' beer infringes on their trademark name, because they have the name fully trade marked. Cindy and John filed for it back in 2015.
In 2023, the U.S. Trademark office gave them the incontestable trademark for the brand.
"Rules are rules and laws are laws" said John. "That's why we file trademarks."
John told KREM 2 he doesn't want customers to be confused, since they've spent so long building this brand. Owners say they don't want customers buying Redhook 'Big Juicy Ballard' thinking they are supporting No-Li.
"Those monies go to an International Cannabis Company, based in Canada or New York City in Manhattan" said John. "They don't fuel small town America, big City of Spokane to be stronger."
To John, this is more than just a trademark.
"This is about building a local beer culture in the city that creates jobs for a lot of breweries" said John.
A culture that is widely recognized in Spokane and one that John hopes Redhook brewery will respect.
"We should all play by the letter of the law and if you violate it, you should fix it" said John.
KREM 2 has reached out to Redhook Brewing, we haven't heard back.
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