Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) is preparing for a drawn-out legal battle against Heineken N.V. over what it alleges is the Dutch brewer’s use of the word “Tequila”, a protected name on its Desperados Lager beer when the brew does not contain the spirit.
“We cannot permit someone unscrupulously to affect tequila’s prestige,” said Ramon Gonzalez, CRT Director-General.
“Either they take the word tequila off it, or they put some tequila in”. If they refuse, “we’ll have no choice but to fight this in court,” he said.