SanTan Brewing Co. finds a new name
By Noah Davis • Feb 4th, 2010 • Category: Beer News, featured
In January, SanTan Brewing Co. found itself in a legal dispute with Arizona State University. See, the brewery called one of its offerings Sun Devil Ale and the school — nickname the Sun Devils — objected.
According to a story from KGUN News:
ASU has historically allowed businesses to use the mascot’s name and image on a selective basis, but it takes into consideration whether the firms’ products and services would harm the university’s image. School officials say one category they never allow is alcoholic beverages because it sends the wrong message to their undergraduates who are mostly under 21 years old.
After receiving a cease and desist letter from ASU, owner Anthony Canecchia protested the university’s choice but ultimately relented. Henceforth, Sun Devil Ale will be known simply as Devil’s Ale. You have to think that whatever Sun Tan lost in branding, it more than made up for in free publicity.
Except it seems like their name is San Tan, not Sun Tan.
Let’s see if I got this straight:
Weapons parts = OK (http://www.sundevilmfg.com/products.php)
Nudist club = OK (http://www.diablosundevils.com/)
Comic book = OK (http://www.newkadia.com/?Sun_Devils_Comic-Books=3670)
Tanning parlour = OK (http://sundeviltan.com/)
Beer = bad
Neo-prohibitionist bullies, I say!
Of course, this is where it gets really interesting: http://www.yelp.com/biz/sun-devil-liquors-mesa … the next target of a cease and desist, perhaps?