Anheuser-Busch is trying to trademark area codes across the country
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the multinational beer corporation everyone loves to hate, is trying to trademark area codes. Area codes!
The history: A few months ago, A-B InBev bought Goose Island, the Chicago craft brewer that makes a popular beer called 312 Urban Wheat Ale, named for the Windy City's area code. Now A-B InBev is applying for federal trademarks of 15 other area codes, presumably so it can roll out faux-craft beers targeting other markets around the country.
The full list of area codes the beer behemoth wants to trademark even includes 202, which covers the White House and the Capitol. For now -- lucky us? -- the company isn't seeking any area codes in New England.
What's your opinion? Should A-B InBev be allowed to trademark area codes? Would you be interested in drinking a pint of 617 Captured Whitey Ale or 508 Worcester Late Train Porter? Post your thoughts in the comments section.
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About 99 BottlesGary Dzen writes about craft beer here and in the Globe when he's not covering the Celtics for Boston.com. He can be reached at gdzen@boston.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeGaryDzen.
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