Beer wars: Two Volusia County breweries fight over similarities
A craft beer fight is brewing in Volusia County.
Arriving first on the scene, Ormond Brewery Co. became the county’s first established brewery in 2013. A mile away, Ormond Garage Brew began serving suds nine months ago on the main drag in a historic garage that once held race cars from the early 1900s.
Both breweries feature vintage car themes, a nod to Ormond Beach’s history where early racers christened the area the Birthplace of Speed.
It’s led to a legal fight that’s dragged on for years and is now in federal civil court.
Last month, Ormond Brewery sued Ormond Garage for unspecified damages, arguing the two establishments’ similarities confuse the public. Ormond Brewery accused its competitor of trademark infringement and copying its ambiance, all of which Ormond Garage vehemently denies, said their attorney Adrienne Love.
Love argued that early race cars are a symbol of the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach area. Even the city of Ormond Beach itself has a vintage car in the logo, she said. She blames Ormond Brewery for any confusion about the two businesses.
As things stand, Ormond Garage vendors deliver supplies and send bills to Ormond Brewery by mistake. Beer enthusiasts call to inquire about they wrongly think is Ormond Brewery’s second location.
Ormond Garage’s similarities cause “actual confusion in the marketplace, harm Ormond Brewery’s business reputation and goodwill, and damage Ormond Brewery’s business relations with consumers and prospective consumers,” the lawsuit states.
Ormond Brewery and its attorney did not comment.
The feud between the two breweries dates back even longer, according to Love.
In 2016, as he prepared to open Ormond Garage, owner Kevin Wakefield proposed a business proposition with Ormond Brewing to sell its beer at his establishment, according to Love.
Ormond Brewery
declined the deal and then after that added the word “garage” on its advertising for the first time, Love said.
Ormond Brewery kept using the word “garage” in advertising, confusing vendors and customers, she said. Ormond Garage responded by sending a cease-and-desist letter to Ormond Brewery in 2018.
Ormond Brewery then filed its opposition to Ormond Garage’s federal trademark application last year.
Ormond Brewery opened its brewery and restaurant in a large automobile garage with black-and-white photographs of early 20th century cars and vintage car parts decorating the walls. The logo that ap