The brewery was warned more than a year ago by DB it owned the trade mark, registered in 2003, to radler.
So, Green Man stuck "cyclist" over "radler" on the label. ("Radler" in German means "cyclist" and in Europe is usually a low-alcohol shandy, although Monteith's is a full-strength 5%.)DB's claim was challenged by the Society of Beer Advocates, but the IPONZ decision this month confirms no-one else can sell "radler" beer in New Zealand.
Green Man manager Jeremy Seaman says a lot of people are now aware of the "cyclist" label for its 2.4% shandy, so it will stay with the name.
However, instead of retaining the "cyclist" sticker, it will produce a new label for summer featuring the historic Ophir bridge near the Central Otago rail trail, which is popular with cyclists.
He believes that since DB has the right to Radler for a shandy, Green Man would be successful if it were to seek a trade mark for Cyclist. But he says the brewery would be as anticompetitive as DB if it did so.
New drinks
Green Man has released two new labels, a Dark and a cider.
Not all lagers are pale, but this Dark (4.5%) is perhaps more visually appealing while nights still set in early.
It imparts just a touch of chocolate and coffee flavour with restrained hop bitterness.
The cider (5.5%) is made from Central Otago apples - refreshing, dry to medium, with nice apple flavours.
New label
Independent Liquor - maker of NZ Pure, Haagen and Ranfurly - is about to launch a new range of beer under the label of Boundary Road.
The range will include an ale, pilsner and ginger beer and will be available from August 1.
Independent Liquor, established on Boundary Rd, south of Auckland, in 1987 by the late Michael Irceg, is now controlled by a multinational company and also produces, under licence, Carlsberg, Kingfisher and Tuborg beer.
New twist
Tui has introduced a new bottle (called vortex) for its Blond lager with a spiral moulded into the inside of the neck, which DB claims releases more of the beers aroma and flavour and delivers a larger head.
The bottle was introduced a year ago by brewer Miller in the United States, where beer writers dismissed the better taste claim as "inane".
The new bottle did produce a bigger head in a test pouring of new and old bottles and the aroma and taste seemed better (although the old bottle from the cupboard was nearing the end of its "best before" date).
Available
Steinlager in a white can, produced to celebrate the Rugby World Cup, is available in packs on retail shelves, contrary to the advice of the previous column. However, the commemorative black bottle is available only across the bar.
