Horsetooth brewing up a new name

November 1, 7:54 AMColorado Springs Craft Beer ExaminerEli Shayotovich

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A horse is a horse, of course, of course... And no one can talk to a horse of course... That is, of course, unless... it's not a horse. Such is the case with the as yet-to-open (or even yet-to-find-a-location) Horsetooth Brewing Company in Northern Colorado. 

The legal wrangling involved in picking a name for a new product -- or in this case brewery -- isn't as easy one might think.  Just look at the debacle Rock Art Brewery in Vermont recently went through with Hansen Beverage Company over the name of their "Vermonster" beer (see Clash of the Monsters).

Though purely unintentional, Horsetooth's name directly conflicts with a beer from another brewery... in Colorado of all places. CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing (located in Ft. Collins, CO) has been brewing Horsetooth Stout for nearly 20 years now. The two sides met, chatted (probably over a few great craft beers), and in the end came to an amicable agreement - because that's how the brewing brotherhood is.  So, Horsetooth is changing it's name and they're giving the beer imbibing public the opportunity to pick the name!

The "See Your Name in Beer" contest starts today!  All you need to do is submit your best suggestion by Saturday, November 7, 2009, and you could win a prize package that includes a 1/2 gallon growler fill of the very first beer and then a fill once a month for the first year the brewery is open; a VIP invite to the Grand Opening Celebration (date to be determined); and a t-shirt featuring your winning company name!

The Rules:

• Please submit all suggested names to LocalBrew@horsetoothbrewing.com. Names sent to any other email address will not be valid for the contest.
• Two names per email address allowed.
• The names given will be posted nightly during the contest which means that there may be some overlap in names. In this case, the first person to email the name will be given the chance to win and the other will be sent an email that the name had already been chosen.
• If you choose a name that has already been chosen, it will not count as one of your two suggested names and you may choose another name.
• The names should be of local landmarks or local inspiration to Northern Colorado.
• Names that may not be used include: Horsetooth, Poudre, Rawah, Red Feather, or Mountain Avenue.
• A winner will be announced Monday, November 16, 2009.
• Horsetooth Brewing Company reserves the right to not pick a winner and if your name is chosen you give up all rights of ownership to that name to Horsetooth Brewing Company, LLC. and/or future entities of the name.
•  You must be 21 years or older to participate.
• All prizes will be redeemable upon the opening of the brewery (date to be determined).

The brewery will have three flagship beers: Old Town Kolsch Style Ale (a lightly hopped Kolsch), Cache la Porter (a English porter with a chocolate character), and Stimulator Pale Ale (a rye pale ale).  These names will not change.  Be sure to check out their website for more details.

Good luck!