Seventh Son Brewing billboard looks familiar to Judge Michael Holbrook
On at least two occasions, Seventh Son Brewing has put up a billboard that looks awfully similar to ones run by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook, who just won reelection.
The billboards are similar in style, design, colors and wording, with a "no-nonsense" tone. While Judge Holbrook's billboard said "experience, fairness & justice," Seventh's Son's reads "fair, balanced, delicious." And instead of "re-elect," Seventh Son's billboard highlights its "decade of public service." (The company will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in April.)
Collin Castore, co-founder of Seventh Son Brewing, said the billboards pay homage to the local candidate billboards that pop up every election season.
Politics: Ohio just voted with unconstitutional maps. What comes next for redistricting?
"They have a particular charm and simplicity that makes them both instantly recognizable and timeless," he said. "Our democracy is a bit bruised up, but it's still the best one we have and deserves to be celebrated, laughed with, participated in and enjoyed — just like beer."
Holbrook said the brewery did the same thing in 2016. He sees the parody as a compliment.
"I think it's funny that they do this," he said. "It's kind of neat."
Instead of Holbrook's image, Castore said the "handsome man" on the billboard is Seventh Son brewmaster Colin Vent's father, Jim Vent.
"The one man with both the gravitas and the good humour to pull it off," said Castore.
Holbrook said he doesn't know any of the Seventh Son owners personally, but doesn't mind the spoof.
"It'd have been nice if my picture was up there instead of the one they got, but that's beside the point," he joked.
Food review:Food review: Local fare meets European flair at Dublin's Getaway Brewing Co.
Many of Judge Holbrook's billboards have been taken down around town, but he says others may still be up.
When Seventh Son's parody went up the first time, Holbrook said he went to the brewery and told a bartender in jest that they owed him a beer for stealing his design. But the bartender didn't know what he was talking about.
He said he's no longer expecting the free beer, especially since he is more of a Guinness drinker.
"They don't have anything close to Guinness," he said. "They've got a couple of chocolate stouts but nothing that really fits me. And IPAs are just too heavy for me."
tmoorman@dispatch.com
@TaijuanNichole
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Seventh Son pokes fun at political ads with Clintonville billboard
