The Tragically Hip are suing Toronto brewery, Mill Street Brewery, for alleged trademark infringement in the promotion of its 100th Meridian lager.
“Many of you are probably under the impression that we are associated with Mill Street’s 100th Meridian beer — we are not,” the band said on social media.
The band’s lawyers say they want the brewery to avoid promoting that lager in a way, which could include renaming the product, as well as pay more than $500,000 in damages.
“We are disappointed this step has been taken and are confident that the claim is without merit,” said Daryl Miner, Mill Street’s president and general manager.
The Hundredth Meridian was a hit single on the bands 1992 album, Fully Completely, and the band alleges that through the brewery’s social media posts, tried to associate the 100th Meridian Lager with the band.
The group also says it tried to sort things out with Mill Street for months but were unsuccessful.
“They didn’t take us seriously and were frankly disrespectful,” the band said in its statement.
“We have been around for a long time, and have always been able to work things like this out without a lawsuit. Unfortunately, not this time.”
“This is a band that has such a deep connection with its fans across the country…. It’s that connection with their fans that’s so important to them,” said the Hip’s lawyer Paul Banwatt.
“Anything that threatens to harm their fans, to mislead their fans — especially in respect to that connection — is very personal to the band.”