Sam Adams sucks.
If you’re a serious beer-drinker not from Portland, this statement may seem about as obvious as “the Pope is Catholic,” or “bacon is delicious.” There are surely a few die-hard believers out there who think some of Boston Beer Company Inc‘s lesser known beers are worthy, but until one of them hooks me up with a bottle of Millenium or Utopias to try for myself, I will remain skeptical. However, if you reside in Portland, that statement is likely to get you into a heated political debate. This is because most Portlanders are much more likely to know of Sam Adams the city commissioner and mayoral candidate than they are to actually consume Sam Adams beer. And Portlanders are generally just as opinionated about their politics as they are about their beer.
So, you’re running for Mayor of Portland and happen to have the same name as a Founding Father of the United States, statesman, and brewer, Samuel Adams. Normally, this would not be an issue, except the statesman’s name has already been appropriated by a huge, publicly traded corporation. In this case, you get a letter from said corporation that states that Boston Beer Company owns the trademarks to Sam Adams and Samuel Adams (your name), and demands that you turn over the web addresses www.samadamsformayor.com and www.mayorsamadams.com. Sam Adams (the still-living one) responded, “They say they’ve been using this trademark since 1984. I’ve been using it since 1963.”
As noted in the Oregonian, Boston Beer Company Inc has made a magnanimous offer:
Bornemann said she’s willing to discuss Adams’ use of the Web sites “probably for the length of the time the election is being held.”
Oh, how generous. You mean they’ll let him use his own name?!?! There’s a boycott being organized, but since hopefully no one around here drinks that piss to begin with, I doubt it will accomplish much (not that modern boycotts really do). However, on the off chance it ever occurred to you to consume a bottle (or pint) of this swill, please don’t; not only because protection of “intellectual property” has gotten wildly out of control (though clearly it has), but rather because no one should do that to their taste buds.
Oh, and my opening referred to Sam Adams the beer, not Sam Adams the man (either current or historical). I actually rather like Sam.
Nate Currie
BS Brewing Political Correspondent
(h/t BlueOregon)
