Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub Responds to NorthGate Brewing's Allegations

Already, there are more developments in the case of NorthGate Brewing vs. Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub. Northbound has responded to NorthGate's allegations on its Facebook page, disputing NorthGate's version of events.

In Northbound's Facebook statement, written by co-owners Bryce Strickler, Amy Johnson, and Jamie Robinson, the Longfellow brewpub denies many of NorthGate's contentions.

First, the dates for filing the name: "We filed our name Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub with the Secretary of State on December 1, 2011, not February 23, 2012 as Northgate Brewing stated. We filed with the Trademark Office on February 23, 2012."

Second, that verbal agreement in June: "We did contact them in June, and again in August regarding documented cases of confusion between our names. [Sjogren] acknowledged the confusion and therefore offered to not sell their beer in South Minneapolis for one year after they opened, which we declined. There was never any agreement between Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub and Northgate Brewing."

And third, a new allegation that NorthGate still hasn't registered its name with the Trademark Office.

The statement ends, "Unfortunately, with the rate that new breweries are opening and launching new craft beers every year, great names are in short supply. We have an obligation to protect our trademark, otherwise we'd lose it. We have only asked that the owners of the yet-to-be-opened Northgate Brewing tweak their name to reduce the number of instances of confusion that have already happened."

· Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub Tells NorthGate Brewing to Cease and Desist over Naming Controversy [Eater]
· Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub Facebook page