‘Water down’ beer? Anheuser-Busch responds to lawsuit

A made-for-media class action accuses the beer maker of ‘watering down’ its product. Headline writers rejoice; the brewer says it’s groundless.

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The made-for-media suit attempts to create a class-action case for consumers allegedly being cheated out of alcohol content in their Budweisers and Michelobs. The case is said to be based on information garnered from former employees at the company’s U.S. breweries.

Beer giant Anheuser-Busch is taking the right initial course in this sensational lawsuit. The company offered a simple statement, calling the claims “groundless” and “completely false” and relying on its history of brewing and its millions of devoted customers.

“Our beers are in full compliance with all alcohol labeling laws,” Peter Kraemer, vice president of brewing and supply, said in a statement to the media. “We proudly adhere to the highest standards in brewing our beers, which have made them the best-selling in the U.S. and the world.”

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

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