Beer wholesaler Frederick P. Winner, Ltd., sued Pabst Brewing Co. over Pabst’s termination of the beer distribution rights the brewer had granted to the wholesaler. The termination came after a change in Pabst’s ownership. The beer distributor claimed the termination violated its rights under the Maryland Beer Franchise Fair Dealing Act. The trial court granted the beer maker summary judgment finding that the change in corporate structure at the grandparent level  (see the chart below) following the purchase of the beer company that led to the termination made the current Pabst Brewing Company, a “successor beer manufacturer” for the… Continue Reading Maryland court rejects control test in interpreting whether a company is a “successor brewer” under beer franchise fair dealing act allowing termination of distribution agreement.