Boss Brewing is a craft brewery in Swansea, South Wales, founded in 2014[1] by husband and wife Sarah and Roy Allkin.[2] In May 2015 the brewery received a Society of Independent Brewers Gold Award[3] and was awarded CAMRA's Champion Beer of Wales award for its stout in 2019.[4]

Boss Brewing
Founded2014 (2014)
Headquarters,
United Kingdom

In August 2019, after applying to trademark its brand name, the brewery received a cease and desist letter from fashion company Hugo Boss[1] and incurred costs of almost £10,000 defending itself in the legal battle.[5] Boss Brewing had to change the name of two of its beers: Boss Black, a stout, became Boss Brewing Black, and Boss Boss, a double IPA, is now Boss Bossy.[6] The rebranding process cost more than £20,000.[7]

In March 2020 comedian Joe Lycett briefly changed his name by deed poll to Hugo Boss in order to support the Welsh brewery.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Welsh brewery changes name of beers after trademark battle with Hugo Boss". thedrinksbusiness.com. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Boss Brewing". Master of Malt. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Swansea-based Boss Brewing Win the Champion Stout of Wales Crown". Business News Wales. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Champion Beer of Wales". CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Welsh brewery spends nearly £10,000 in battle with clothing giant over name". ITV News. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. ^ Dalling, Robert (10 August 2019). "Fashion giant Hugo Boss sets lawyers on small Welsh brewing company". walesonline. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  7. ^ Campbell, Lucy (2 March 2020). "Comedian Joe Lycett changes name to Hugo Boss in swipe at fashion house". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Comedian Joe Lycett changes name to Hugo Boss to support Welsh brewery after legal fight". ITV News. Retrieved 2 March 2020.