to-MAY-to / to-MAH-to

After ceasing production of the “Zotten” beer due to trademark rights of Brugse Zot, a beer produced by De Halve Maan, Weyerbacher has released the beer’s new name after “checking very carefully (for obvious reasons) to see that its OK to use” (Weyerbacher press release).  So drum roll please…. it’s the Verboten, another way of saying “forbidden.”  Obviously, they aren’t scared of those big corporate lawyers from that tiny little InBev corporation.  Because VerboTen bears a striking resemblance to Hoegaarden VerboDen Vrucht (Forbidden Fruit), a Belgian strong dark ale.  Perhaps Weyerbacher should go with Verbatim, as in word for word, because they keep seeming to pick the wrong word to name their beer.