Monster vs. Monster

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time, but a Vermont brewery will have to stop selling a beer called "The Vermonster," after lawyers for Monster Energy Drinks got involved. Hansen Beverage Co., wants tiny Rock Art Brewery to stop using the name "Vermonster" on the beer and pay its lawyers' fees. Matt Nadeau and his wife Renee own the brewery; he says he's been told by several trademark attorneys that the law is probably on his side, but proving it could be expensive enough to put him out of business. The beer is made by the seven employees at Rock Art's small brewery in Morrisville. Hansen is based in California - it sold over $1 billion worth of Monster energy drinks last year. Nadeau has taken the issue worldwide on his website, and he's got his share of supporters. Customers have posted their intention to boycott Hansen drinks, and one store in Vermont will no longer sell them.