The standoff with Brauerei Clemens Härle in the southern German town of Leutkirch began when a Berlin consumer protection group protested at use of the German word “bekömmlich”, carries connotations of health as well as of tastiness.

The German court said “bekömmlich”, which does not have a direct English translation but would be something akin to “wholesome”, described more than the taste of the beer.

“The term ‘bekömmlich’ is understood by the relevant public to mean ‘healthy’, ‘beneficial’, and ‘digestible’,” the court said.

When used to describe food, it means that the product is easily absorbed and tolerated by the digestive system even alongside long-term consumption, the court said, adding that beer sometimes did cause health problems.

Once the world’s largest beer consumer and famed for its annual Oktoberfest beer festival, Germany’s consumption has dropped 17% since 1993, but brewers hope the World Cup which starts next month could drive a return to growth.

The European Union’s highest court ruled in 2012 that the same word could not be used to market wine.