Pabst says MillerCoors is trying to put it out of business

Associated Press ^ | November 11, 2018 | Ivan Moreno

[Olog-hai]

Pabst Brewing Company and MillerCoors are going to trial, with hipster favorite Pabst contending that MillerCoors wants to put it out of business by ending a longstanding partnership through which it brews Pabst’s beers.

The case has high stakes for Pabst, whose lawyers argue that the company’s very existence relies on the partnership with Chicago-based MillerCoors, which produces, packages and ships nearly all its products, which include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Milwaukee, Natty Boh and Lone Star.

MillerCoors, meanwhile, says it’s not obligated to continue brewing for Pabst and that Pabst doesn’t want to pay enough to justify doing so.

The trial in Milwaukee County Circuit Court begins Monday and is scheduled through Nov. 30.

Pabst’s attorneys have said in court documents and hearings that MillerCoors LLC is lying about its brewing capacity to break away from Pabst and capture its share of the cheap beer market by disrupting Pabst’s ability to compete.

At a March hearing in which MillerCoors tried to have the lawsuit dismissed, Pabst attorney Adam Paris said “stunning documents” obtained from MillerCoors show that it went as far as hiring a consultant to “figure out ways to get rid of us.”

MillerCoors has called that a mischaracterization of the consultant’s work. …

[BradyLS]

I’m sorry. I’m not a lawyer nor following particularly closely. My light skim of the situation gave me the impression that Pabst’s case was slim. You’ve made me aware that the situation is much more complex and I appreciate it.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Yes, Pabst Blue Ribbon was one of the beers I enjoyed and nothing beats a cold Coke every so often.

These days I have to control carbs — to almost zero, so that puts a cramp in some of these products. OH well, I had my time with them, and they were good times.

[Fledermaus]

Other than I don’t like many European beers, I agree. Anytime I can get a 16 oz can of Pabst for $2 I take it.

[Rebelbase]

“Just as all mergers must just Justice Department approval, a business move such as this is anti-competitive and could be a “trust” violation.”

Pabst initiated being anti-competitive when they contracted with their competitor to brew their trademark product.

Contract is a contract.

[Rebelbase]

“I see a lot of craft beer on supermarket shelves these days”

Around here the newer grocery stores have more craft brew shelving than does the macro beer.

[Redwood71]

“Pabst stopped brewing its own beer and contracted with Millers/Coors to brew their beer for them.”

PBR has breweries in a few countries that they took over. And their “piece of the action” on so many names is crating their wealth for them. A lot of companies do this and it sometimes get sticky when the used group wants to go out on their own or back into business as is the case with Miller/Coors. Coors has never stopped the work so they aren’t the issue. Factually with their aggressive advertising campaign, they are now in the top five in sales through the US. And it wasn’t until 1986 they were able to go country wide. A lot of their beer is brewed in Canada.

rwood