Independent Craft Beer Gets a Seal

On June 28^th, the Brewer’s Association (BA), the primary national association for craft breweries, announced that it would be introducing a new seal that independent craft brands would be allowed to affix to their labeling.  While several prior votes among the BA board for such a mark had failed, the Association decided that it could no longer ignore the growing trend of craft beer brands being purchased by large macro-breweries or otherwise receiving large investments by them. For those unfamiliar, such brands  include: Elysian, Devils Backbone, Breckenridge, Lagunitas, and Wicked Weed. In an effort to promote their members’ brands with customers by distinguishing them as being “truly” independent, the BA has developed the following seal, which a brewery can use under three conditions:

1. It has a valid license from the TTB (Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau)
2. It meets the Brewers Association definition of an independent brewery
3. Signs a license agreement with the BA to use the mark  

Any brew