PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – An Oregon brewery says Anheuser-Busch’s claims that its new organic hard seltzer is unique are false and are intended to squeeze competitors out of that market.
Suzie’s Brewery Company, one of those smaller companies, filed a lawsuit Feb. 2 in Oregon federal court under the Lanham Act. The company has produced Suzie’s Organic Hard Seltzer since June 2020.
Anheuser-Busch recently introduced Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer and advertised it during NFL playoff games in January.
“Anheuser-Busch’s statements regarding ULTRA Seltzer, and in particular its statements that it is the ‘first’ and ‘only’ USDA organic certified hard seltzer are false,” the lawsuit says.
“Suzie’s Seltzer, also has a national USDA organic certification, and was available on the market well before ULTRA Seltzer. In addition, there are several other hard seltzer brands on the market that have USDA organic certification.”
Suzie’s is represented by Daniel Peterson of Cosgrave Vergeer. It recently won a temporary restraining order against the Michelob ULTRA ads.