SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against several breweries and related companies for allegedly misleading buyers into thinking that certain beer brands are brewed in Hawaii.
Sara Cilloni and Simone Zimmer filed a complaint, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated on Feb. 28, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Craft Brew Alliance Inc., Kona Brewing Co. and others involved in the distribution of Kona seasonal beers. The complaint alleges that the defendants obtained profit through unfair or deceptive trade or commerce and misrepresented information about the beer.
The complaint alleges that Cilloni, Zimmer and other consumers have been deceived and have suffered economic injury after they purchased Kona Brewing Co. beer. The plaintiffs thought that the defendants' products originated from Hawaii, based on defendants' advertising and labeling, the complaint said.
The plaintiffs hold Craft Brew Alliance Inc. and other defendants liable because they allegedly introduced a deceptive product into the market, caused consumers to pay a premium price for what they thought was beer brewed in Hawaii and mislabeled their products to obtain profit.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury, seek judgment against defendant and ask the court to certify the class action and appoint a representative and counsel. They also seek declaratory relief, injunctive and other equitable relief, expenses and attorney fees, interest and any further relief that the court may deem just. They are represented by Aubry Wand of The Wand Law Firm in Culver City.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Case number 17-cv-01027