Calgary’s Cold Garden handles cease and desist with grace, donates funds to food bank

A Calgary microbrewery has found itself in some hot water after being handed a cease and desist letter, but it’s taking it quite well.

According to a post on social media Thursday, Cold Garden, a bar and brewery in Inglewood, had Sleeman Breweries, which is owned by Sapporo, reach out for apparently infringing on its trademark Colt 45 beer.

In that post, Cold Garden says it was inspired by the legendary beverage and wanted to pay homage over the holidays.

“We were trying to pay tribute to an iconic brand from our past and we miiiiiight have made the branding a little too close to the original,” the post reads.

“We have countless fond memories of this legendary beer and we wanted to pay homage. We understand you have a brand to protect and we are thankful for your kind approach with this cease and desist.”

The microbrewery says it’s honouring the letter and is thankful it wasn’t sued.

In addition, Cold Garden says all profit it has made on the holiday malt will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank.

And to Sleeman Breweries?

“Thanks for the inspiration and hit us up when you want to collab. We think our first crack at malt liquor came out great!” Cold Garden said.