AB InBev rejects ‘watered down’ US lawsuit claim

Budweiser – one of the brands for which US lawyer Josh King has filed a class-action lawsuit over claims that it has been watered down.

Anheuser-Busch has found itself in hot water with its US consumers over claims that it waters down its Budweiser and Michelob brands among others including Bud Ice and King Cobra.

Print

Print

Off-trade

A $5 million class-action has been taken against the brewer in Pennsylvania, California and New Jersey as well as other US states claiming that consumers have been purchasing beer of an ABV less than that stated on the label.

The class-action is based on the testimony of former employees of Anheuser-Busch via some 13 breweries in the US, some of them in senior positions at the plants according to lead lawyer Josh Boxer who stated that the former employees had stated that as a matter of corporate practice, all of the products mentioned in the lawsuit had been watered down.

“It’s a simple cost-saving measure and it’s very significant,” he said.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has described the claims as “groundless”, stating that its beers fully comply with labelling laws.
Peter Kraemer, Vice President of brewing and supply, commented, “We proudly adhere to the highest standards in brewing our beers which have made them the best-selling in the US and the world”.

The lawsuit claims that after Anheuser-Busch merged with InBev, the company increasingly chose to dilute its popular brands.

The consumer protection suit does not involve bar owners or off-licences there.

Josh Boxer claims to have evidence that corroborates the former employees’ allegations.

Related Articles

AB InBev UK and C&C Group agree new distribution changes →

Molson Coors reaffirms 2024 full-year guidance →

Pernod Ricard to sell its wine portfolio →

Non-alcohol beer continues to grow in popularity, research shows →