2 beer sellers are are creating a bit of confusion with their labels. Calvinus beers puts “Genève” in the label while the beer is brewed by Brauerei Locher in Appenzell. La Meltingpote beers adds “GE” in the label while the beer is brewed by Dr. Gabs in Puidox, Vaud.
Better to quote the journalists: Very Genevan labels, but beers brewed elsewhere: why Calvinus and La Meltingpote are upsetting local brewers. Article in French.
Except that in its 26 years of existence, Calvinus has never brewed a single liter of beer under its own name. Le Temps has confirmed that the brewery is not registered as a beer producer with the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security (FOCB). This public registry operates on the basis of self-declarations and lists all brewers in the country who produce and sell their beer, from the very first liter sold. In other words, Calvinus has never taken the necessary steps nor paid a single cent on its production.
The company “has never been registered as a tax-paying brewery,” confirmed the OFDF (French Office for the Development of Breweries), when contacted by Le Temps. The current manager explained that it was “a mistake” and that the matter is being rectified. “I was so focused on other aspects of opening the brewery. It’s not easy to get a business like this up and running.”
Pay attention to those labels at migros and coop, they take the supplier’s words at face value:
