Craft Beer Brewers Ska Brewing Co. and DuClaw Brewing Co. Battle it out over the Word ‘Euphoria’

Beer is delicious, it's a fact. Even more delicious is craft beer made by small breweries in smaller batches. What isn't delicious is when two craft brewers battle it out over naming rights. Right now that is happening over one word, 'Euphoria', the contenders are Colorado's Ska Brewing and Maryland's DuClaw.

The fight over the word 'euphoria' all began when Ska Brewing Company in Durango, Colorado received a cease-and-desist letter from DuClaw Brewing Company in Maryland. In response to the letter Ska Brewing Company filed an appeal on Tuesday March 5, 2013 pleading the U.S. Copyright and Trademark Office to act in their favor.

Ska Brewing Company has used the name 'Euphoria Pale Ale' since 2005 and DuClaw filed and received rights to use the word for their 'EuForia Toffee Nut Brown Ale' in 2009. The rights were granted in 2012. Ska Brewing Company says because they made their beer and used the name earlier they should get "common-law" naming rights.

Ska Brewing Company says their Euphoria is:

"This seasonal beer is brewed in the Do It Yourself (DIY) spirit along with our friends from Bayfield at the Venture Snowboard Factory. An India Pale Ale, the Euphoria is crafted with piles and piles of Golding hops to provide a unique spicy finish. Great for after hitting the slopes."

DuClaw Brewing Company says of their EuForia:

"Cmon, Get Happy
This creamy, medium bodied, dark brown pint of liquid bliss combines smooth drinkability with a jubilant swirl of caramel, almond, and toffee flavors to leave you in a state of ecstasy."

Neither brewery will talk now that the case is in court and lawyers are talking for the companies. It looks like Ska Brewing Company could be the clear winner, DuClaw didn't make their beer named EuForia until a year after Ska Brewing.