Craft Beer Drinkers Filed A Complaint Against Walmart For Its 'Craft' Beer

Walmart is known for its low prices on anything from kitchenware to groceries, but one of its products is getting some backlash from the craft beer community.

On Feb. 10, a class of beer drinkers filed a complaint in Ohio against the retailer, claiming its "craft" beer is actually mass-produced and not craft beer at all, Courthouse News reported.

The class action lawsuit claimed that Walmart was "fraudulent, unlawful, deceptive and unfair" through its manufacturing, marketing, and selling of its Cat's Away IPA, After Party Pale Ale, Round Midnight Belgian White, and Red Flag Amber beer since they hit the shelves in 2016.

According to the Brewers Association, "craft beer" is defined as produced by small, independent, and traditional breweries, making 6 million barrels of beer or less, with less than 25 percent of the brewery owned or controlled by an industry member other than the brewer.

The complaint states that Walmart works with "Trouble Brewing" for its "craft" beer, but claims the company doesn't exist.

"The applicant listed on filings with the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is 'Winery Exchange Inc.', which has since turned into WX Brands."

The lawsuit, led by plaintiff Matthew Adam, seeks punitive and compensatory damages, as well as injunctive relief from "deceptive misconduct with regards to the advertising, packaging and labeling of Craft Beer."