Philadelphians are buying more craft beer than ever, but the region’s brewmasters are bracing for the biggest name in beer to move into town.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the maker of Budweiser products and the world’s largest brewer, trademarked the name “215” in the spring of 2011, along with the area codes for 14 other U.S. cities.
The filing is the first public step toward creating a new beer by the same name.
“We’re being attacked,” said Bill Covaleski, brewmaster, and president of Victory Brewing Co., a craft brewery in Downingtown. “Philadelphia’s craft brewers are going to be forced to defend our status, but I’d rather be in this position than be the attacker.”
Anheuser-Busch declined to comment on the filing, but Covaleski said he expected to see a regionalized “215” beer on tap in six to eight months.
In the end, Big Beer backed off this truly awful Idea. Do you know what a good idea is? Taking a beer brewing class.