Anheuser to Stop Selling Alcoholic Energy Drinks

Wall Street Journal ^ | June 27, 2008 | Ilan Brat and Suzanne Vranica

[Zakeet]

Anheuser-Busch Cos. will stop making and selling caffeinated alcoholic drinks as part of a settlement with 11 state attorneys general, the attorneys general said Thursday.

The states' top lawyers began an investigation of the U.S.'s largest brewer by sales a year ago. They alleged that the St. Louis company had failed to adequately disclose negative health effects of its Tilt and Bud Extra drinks on their labels, made false or misleading marketing claims that they help users stay up late for partying, and illegally targeted minors with its advertising.

"Quite simply, alcohol mixed with high amounts of caffeine is a recipe for disaster, particularly in the hands of young people," said Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe during a conference call.

Anheuser said in a statement that it will reformulate Tilt and Bud Extra, removing caffeine and other stimulants. The company said it may take several weeks for the caffeinated versions to sell out on store shelves.

[Snip]

Drinks that combine alcohol with caffeine have become increasingly popular with younger drinkers, including those under the legal drinking age. Consumer advocacy groups have criticized makers of caffeinated alcoholic drinks, saying they fail to make clear that combining alcohol and caffeine could have negative consequences.

[Zakeet]

Caffeine spiked suds are now out

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

They need to stop selling beer altogether. Their product taste horrible. Like horse pee. Give me a sam adams.

[1rudeboy]

I've never understand the fascination people have with Sam Adams beer. Over-hopped. (I'm not a Bud drinker, either).

Is it because it is meant to be sipped? Honestly.

[WarToad]

Good. If you’re going to drink, drink something that actually has flavor. Grab a 6-er of craft brew.

[WarToad]

Sam Adams is “over-hopped”?

I’m going to guess you’ve never had an IPA, Imperial IPA, Bitter, Barley Wine, or any beer where the hops assert themselves with a glorious vengance.

[1rudeboy]

Correct! Give the man a cookie! The thought of an IPA sends a shiver down my spine. LOL

[Gamecock]

***caffeinated alcoholic drinks***

Who wants a hyped up drunk?

[Holicheese]

Maybe they can stop making these lime accented beer and put some more money into the quality of their products.

[Gamecock]

I love the taste of Sam Adams, but after 1/2 a bottle I get a migraine. Happens with most domestics.

Fortunately I am currently assigned in Germany and do quite well with German beers.

[Holicheese]

Sam is “over hopped”. Its a dry hopping and it gives me a wierd after taste.
IPAs are my favorite but I find regular Sam kind of strange. I do dig their cream stout and porter.

[commonguymd]

Nothing like a cold glass of yeast and foam.

[JimRed]

I've never understand the fascination people have with Sam Adams beer. Over-hopped.

I agree, and I am a Bud drinker. But Sam's Black lager is delicious, kind of like a lighter bodied Guinness.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Yummmmmm.

[1rudeboy]

Bah, north-sider.

This is what a south-sider drinks after he gets a job.

[1rudeboy]

Which reminds me, I have to buy another twelve of those for the game this afternoon.

[Toddsterpatriot]

This is what a south-sider drinks after he gets a job.

How often does that happen? LOL!

[1rudeboy]

Drinking Old Style is a stronger economic incentive than people might think.

[Toddsterpatriot]

True.

[ctdonath2]

Dang - and I hadn’t even gotten ‘round to trying some! Know what I’m out to buy tonight...

[WayneS]

Liquid Bread!!!

[AU72]

Why are beer threads so popular on Fridays?

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

Sam Adams is about the only domestic I like. It is all personal taste. I do like Terrapin. I tried and like. But I do love German beers. They have that nice “kick” LOL!!

[Red_Devil 232]

Pay Day?

[Ron Jeremy]

made false or misleading marketing claims that they help users stay up late for partying,

What is false about that?

[Ron Jeremy]

How old are you? When Sam Adams first came out, there was not a wide variety of craft or foreign beers available. SA was the first widely available good beer, at least that is how i recall it. I used to drink it all the time, have since moved on. I drink Bitburger mostly now.

[1rudeboy]

Old enough to remember "Before Adams." Bitburger is excellent, just the sort of beer I like to drink (light color, crisp, etc.). I used to drink it in Michigan. I remember it was a bit "lighter" in terms of alcohol content.

Sometimes 0.3% makes all the difference, you know. ;)

[oyez]

Breakfast of Champions

[dfwgator]

“It’s Got Electrolytes!”

[fredhead]

I guess I have old fashioned taste (or no taste).

[CholeraJoe]

About 4 years ago there were some deaths in Europe attributed to Red Bull when mixed with vodka.

[ReignOfError]

Good thing they nipped this trend of mixing alcohol and caffeine in the bud. Next thing you know, folks would have started mixing rum and Coke, or Irish whiskey and coffee.

[Constitution Day]

The horror!

LOL

[N. Theknow]

Good thing they nipped this trend of mixing alcohol and caffeine in the bud. Next thing you know, folks would have started mixing rum and Coke, or Irish whiskey and coffee.

Wasn't it a line from Barney Miller: "Why do they give coffee to try and sober up drunks? All you get is a wide awake drunk."

[ravingnutter]

I guess I have old fashioned taste (or no taste).

Mine is hereditary, my Grandpa drank Busch Bavarian and used to put it in my baby bottle to keep me quiet, so I have been drinking Busch for 50 years now. Although, I now drink Busch Light...have to watch my girlish figure!

[peggybac]

I never needed caffeine with my alcohol. When I drank, I had plenty of energy - my house was always spotless. Since I quit drinking years ago, I dread housework. Kinda sucks.

[rusureitflies?]

Doesn’t Old Style have pics of “drinking monks” on it?

[CelticIrish]

Amen...

[dljordan]

“How old are you? When Sam Adams first came out, there was not a wide variety of craft or foreign beers available. SA was the first widely available good beer, at least that is how i recall it. I used to drink it all the time, have since moved on. I drink Bitburger mostly now.”

Before I moved to Colorado the only decent beer I could get was SA unless I brewed my own. When I moved to Longmont I was in beer heaven especially for Porters and Stouts. Back in the late 70’s when I was driving a truck I used to pick up Coor’s when I was empty and bootleg it back to Nashville where they considered it a real treat (go figure). The people are desperate for good beer (sounds of rioting in the background).

[MediaMole]

Now if they could get rid of the most horrifying beer product ever produced.

Budweiser and Clamato

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/37389

[scarface367]

What in God’s name were they thinking?

[antiRepublicrat]

I guess I should stop my habit of coffee with a shot of brandy.

[antiRepublicrat]

Like you said, “They need to stop selling beer altogether. Their product taste horrible. Like horse pee.” Only I am referring to Sam Adams; never could stand it, especially the flavored abominations.

[Clemenza]

When I was a grad student living on the South Side (Hyde Park, LAMF), I would drink Old Style for the "irony", much as the hipster today drink Pabst for the same reason.

Hyde Park Co-op and The Tiki Bar RIP. :-(

[boogerbear]

There are people I work with that love mecheladas, BLECH. Can’t blame Bud for going after the market though. When you find out bars all over are making tons mixing your beer and find out your people could easily prepackage it you have to go for it.

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

About 4 years ago there were some deaths in Europe attributed to Red Bull when mixed with vodka.

Probably alcohol poisoning, I'd bet. The only place you see Red Bull and vodka is at college parties. And it's only drunk because it sounds cool and extreme in theory. It's not. It sucks. Red Bull tastes terrible on its own, and it's always mixed with cheap vodka. I've been sick both times I've had it at parties. Still, the type of person willing to choke it down cause it sounds cool is also the type that's likely to drink too much.

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

Hopefully the Ohio Attorney General wasn't one of the 11 protesting. Drew Carey would be greatly saddened.

[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

I pass a billboard every day coming home advertising Budweiser and Clamato. And then I sigh, and lose a bit of my appetite. I do wonder each time if it's worse than Miller Chill, though, which would quite an accomplishment. I won't be doing that research myself, though.

And since we're pimping beers, might as well, too.

Of course, Texas beer.     And a clean, crisp Midwestern one for good measure.