Bourbon Street ‘Huge Ass Beer’ Seller Asserts Trademark Claims

A Bourbon Street restaurateur known for selling Huge Ass Beers alleged that a competitor infringes its trademarks by selling Giant Ass Beers.

The competitor started selling Giant Ass Beers to retaliate for a property dispute, the restaurateur said in a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Feb. 26.

Nicholas S. Karno #1 Inc. owns three restaurants on Bourbon Street in New Orleans: Steak Pit, Cornet, and Prohibition. The restaurants have been selling “Huge Ass Beers” and “Half Ass Beers” since 1996, and “Big Ass Beers” since 2013, it says. NSK owns trademark registrations for Huge Ass Beers and Half Ass Beers.

Four competing Bourbon Street restaurants owned by Guy W. Olano and Pamela J. Olano—Beerfest, Voodoo Vibes, Sing Sing, and Stilletto’s—allegedly infringe the marks by selling “Giant Ass Beers.”

NSK says that it had a longstanding business relationship with the Olanos that soured, noting an unfair competition lawsuit they filed against an NSK director related to a property dispute. NSK asserts the Olanos began selling Giant Ass Beers as retaliation.

NSK asserted claims of trade dress infringement, unfair competition, injury to business reputation, trademark dilution, and unfair trade practices.

Intellectual Property Consulting LLC represents NSK.

Silver Bourbon Inc. didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Silver Bourbon owns Beerfest and was founded by Guy W. Olano, the complaint says.

The case is Nicholas S. Karno #1, Inc. v. Silver Bourbon, Inc., E.D. La., No. 2:19-cv-01745, complaint filed 2/26/19.