41 replies to this topic

[Hum]

PHILADELPHIA – Beer lovers across the U.S. have accused Anheuser-Busch of watering down its Budweiser, Michelob and other brands, in class-action suits seeking millions in damages.

The suits, filed in Pennsylvania, California and other states, claim consumers have been cheated out of the alcohol content stated on labels. Budweiser and Michelob each boast of being 5 percent alcohol, while some "light" versions are said to be just over 4 percent.

The lawsuits are based on information from former employees at the company's 13 U.S. breweries, some in high-level plant positions, according to lead lawyer Josh Boxer of San Rafael, Calif.

"Our information comes from former employees at Anheuser-Busch, who have informed us that as a matter of corporate practice, all of their products mentioned (in the lawsuit) are watered down," Boxer said. "It's a simple cost-saving measure, and it's very significant."

The excess water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by 3 percent to 8 percent, he said.

Anheuser-Busch InBev called the claims "groundless" and said its beers fully comply with labeling laws.

The suit involves 10 Anheuser-Busch products: Budweiser, Bud Ice, Bud Light Platinum, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Hurricane High Gravity Lager, King Cobra, Busch Ice, Natural Ice and Bud Light Lime.

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[+techbeck]

All that beer is nasty anyway. Maybe they should start drinking good beer instead.

[Charisma]

I don't know about everywhere, but I know a guy whose wife used to work for a brewery in Australia and can confirm that's exactly how they make light beer--brew the regular beer, then add water when bottling. Difference is, light beer is cheaper there because you only pay for the amount of actual beer you're getting. Should at least be the same all 'round, and all the ABV% should be accurate on the label.

[The Laughing Man]

"Anheuser-Busch InBev called the claims "groundless" and said its beers fully comply with labeling laws."

Way to not answer the question.

[spenser.d]

techbeck, on 27 February 2013 - 00:52, said:

All that beer is nasty anyway. Maybe they should start drinking good beer instead.

This.

[Growled]

Of course it's watered down. It's all us poor Americans can handle.

[Hum]

Those damned Belgians

[Xerino]

I expect countersuits and appeals out of this, I work for Sierra Nevada Brewery, and we had to sign a non-disclosure aggreement, that carries on even if the job ends, I am pretty sure the Enheiser-Busch works the same way, remember that episode of king of the hill when peggy got a job at alamo beer?

[n_K]

"and we had to sign a non-disclosure aggreement"
If the company can prove who leaked it yes, if not, then no.

[FloatingFatMan]

Why is this a surprise? I've tried American beer. It's ALL watered down!

[notuptome2004]

FloatingFatMan, on 27 February 2013 - 07:50, said:

Why is this a surprise? I've tried American beer. It's ALL watered down!

That is not American Beer it is American Water


American Brews are great good Craft Beers

[DocM]

spenser.d, on 27 February 2013 - 01:10, said:

This.

This ^2

Gimme a good micro-brew any day.

[Albert Bonici]

It's a club...

[+zhiVago]

This lawsuit doesn't stand a chance because beer consists mostly of water anyway (up to 96%).

[FloatingFatMan]

notuptome2004, on 27 February 2013 - 07:59, said:

American Brews are great good Craft Beers

That's not beer either.