As reported by The Morning Advertiser (MA) in June 2017, trading standards contacted the brewery after receiving a complaint about the design of the can, which features the word Pint prominently on it.
The exact nature of the complaint is not known, but it is thought that it relates to the fact the beer is named Pint, but is served in a 500ml measure, while an official UK 'imperial' pint is 568ml.
Speaking in June, Marble’s head brewer James Kemp told MA that he hoped the organisation would not pursue the “silly” complaint.
Beer name 'likely to be changed'
However, on 21 December, Marble director Jan Rogers posted a photo of a letter sent to the brewery by the local council. The letter informed the brewery that the trading standards metrology group had unanimously agreed that calling a can 'Pint', which contained only 500ml of beer could be considered misleading.
Additionally, the letter noted that there could be additional offences under the Weights and Measures Act “in respect of misleading net quantity”.
In an email seen by The Morning Advertiser, Rogers said that the brewery had been advised to stop packaging the beer in 500ml can format, and confirmed that its name is likely to be changed to "satisfy bureaucratic needs".
“We are a small company that doesn’t have the time or resources to get involved in a legal battle”, she added.
The brewery also said that trading standards were being "incredibly helpful" and added that it hoped to have a resolution "very soon".
Pint cans 'hard to source'
Talking about the dispute in June, Kemp said: “I did giggle a bit. When we released it in cans we did get a few people on Twitter saying ‘oh it’s not a pint’ and we just sort of laughed it off.
“It’s quite hard to source pint-sized cans for starters, and it depends on your canning machine. So when I heard from trading standards, I just thought ‘this is a bit silly' to be honest.”
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “I understand this issue may appear trivial but the name of the beer could lead to a small misunderstanding.
"I am certain that Marble Breweries in no way intend to deceive, though we did receive a complaint and so contacted them to offer advice. “
In August 2017, Scottish brewery Tempest Brewing Co renamed its popular Bomber IPA beer after a trademark dispute with an unnamed "regional English brewery", thought to be Marston’s.