Photo by Adrian Castro
Audio By Carbonatix
Earlier this year, MIA Beer Company‘s Alejandro Masferrer swiped a figurine of the Rock, a pro wrestling character played by Dwayne Johnson, from Union Beer Store and tattooed the brewery’s logo on the figurine.
The practice of brewery and brewpub employees swiping memorabilia and trinkets from competitors is actually common in the close-knit community. This time, however, the prank would escalate.
During Lincoln’s Beard Brewing’s annual PB&J-eating contest, Union Beer retaliated by filming a mock assault on MIA’s Tony Hernandez, who was a participant at the event.
The dispute continued at Sprung Beer Festival when Union’s employees stole back the action figure, which was on display in MIA Beer’s tent, and then tore the doll to pieces.
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Finally, the two Miami craft beer companies have decided to put the feud to rest during an event called the Peace Treaty Party. This Thursday, May 24, Union Beer Store will host a mock funeral for the Rock action figure, complete with an open-casket viewing beginning at 8 p.m.
During the event, Union will screen a film that documents the rivalry between the two companies. To round out the festivites, MIA Beer will sponsor a tap takeover that evening.
The controversy and the party are all in good fun, Union’s David Rodriguez says. “It’s just a doll.”
Peace Treaty Party. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at Union Beer Store, 1547 SW Eighth St., Miami; 786-313-3919; unionbeerstore.com.
