Boss Brewing Explained

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]

In August 2019, after applying to trademark its brand name, the brewery received a cease and desist letter from fashion company Hugo Boss 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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Welsh brewery changes name of beers after trademark battle with Hugo Boss . thedrinksbusiness.com . 12 August 2019 . en-US . 2020-03-02.
2. Web site: Boss Brewing . Master of Malt . en . 2020-03-02.
3. Web site: Swansea-based Boss Brewing Win the Champion Stout of Wales Crown . 2017-10-03 . Business News Wales . 2020-03-02.
4. Web site: Champion Beer of Wales . CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale . en-GB . 2020-03-02.
5. Web site: Welsh brewery spends nearly £10,000 in battle with clothing giant over name . ITV News . en . 2020-03-02.
6. Web site: Fashion giant Hugo Boss sets lawyers on small Welsh brewing company . Dalling . Robert . 2019-08-10 . walesonline . 2020-03-02.
7. Web site: Comedian Joe Lycett changes name to Hugo Boss in swipe at fashion house . Campbell . Lucy . 2020-03-02 . The Guardian . en-GB . 2020-03-02.
8. Web site: Comedian Joe Lycett changes name to Hugo Boss to support Welsh brewery after legal fight . ITV News . en . 2020-03-02.