Stateside Brands Dropped Lawsuit Against Anheuser-Busch

A federal judge dismissed the trademark dispute between the two companies with prejudice.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Beer

Bold vector editorial illustration of two beverage cans side by side, representing the resolution of a design trademark dispute. — Stateside Brands has permanently withdrawn its trademark lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch, ending the dispute over hard tea packaging designs in Pennsylvania. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Stateside Brands has officially withdrawn its trademark lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch regarding alleged packaging design similarities. The case was dismissed with prejudice in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Why it matters

The lawsuit centered on claims that Anheuser-Busch's Skimmers hard iced tea packaging copied the design of the popular Surfside vodka tea line. By dropping the case and waiving all appeal rights, the companies have brought the litigation to a permanent conclusion.

Stateside released its Surfside product line in 2022, while Anheuser-Busch launched its Skimmers hard iced tea in the spring of 2025. Both beverage products feature striped can designs adorned with sun logos.

The players

Stateside Brands

This is a beverage company known for its Surfside product line which represents 90 percent of its revenue growth.

Anheuser-Busch

This is a multinational brewing and beverage company that produces the Skimmers hard iced tea brand.

The details

Stateside Brands, which is ranked No. 185 on the Inc. 5000, alleged that the Skimmers branding infringed on its design identity. Both parties have agreed to bear their own legal costs and attorneys' fees as part of the resolution.

Stateside released its product line in 2022.
Anheuser-Busch launched Skimmers hard iced tea in 2025.
The lawsuit was dismissed by the federal court in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The legal battle reflects the intensifying competition within the beverage industry as companies fight to secure market share in the rapidly expanding vodka-based tea segment. This resolution underscores a broader trend of brands aggressively defending their visual identity against new market entrants.

This legal outcome ensures that the current packaging for both Surfside and Skimmers products will remain on shelves in Pennsylvania without further disruption. Consumers can expect no changes to product availability or branding as a result of this closed court case.

The takeaway

Trademark disputes are common in the highly competitive beverage sector where visual branding is essential for consumer recognition. Brands should prioritize distinct design elements early in development to avoid potential legal friction when entering crowded market spaces.