First, they sued Morrisville’s Rock Art Brewery. Now, the makers of Monster Energy drinks find themselves on the other side of the gavel.

While weathering a lawsuit involving the death of a teenager whose family alleges she perished after drinking two of the caffeine-laced drinks, California-based Monster Beverage Corporation is also being sued by a Maryland teenager on the grounds that it hooks teenagers on its drinks through misleading marketing and free samples.

Claiming trademark infringement, the beverage giant famously sued tiny Rock Art Brewery in 2009 over owner Matt Nadeau’s use of the name “Vermonster” for one of his beers. The case garnered national press, but Nadeau says it was mediated after he had a one-on-one phone call with company CEO Rodney Sacks.

Will Monster’s current legal troubles prove more lasting?

This article appears in Mar 6-12, 2013.

Got something to say?

Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!

Corin Hirsch was a Seven Days food writer 2011 through 2016. She was also a dining critic and drinks columnist at Newsday from 2017 to 2022, and contributes to The Guardian, Wine Enthusiast and other publications. She’s spoken often on colonial era...