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Marketing of Energy Drinks Under Scrutiny

Authorities wondering if beer makers are targeting kids with caffeinated booze

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2008 8:56 AM CST
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(Newser) – Big beer companies are facing state-led investigations into whether they're marketing caffeinated alcohol products to underage drinkers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing both make such beverages, but insist that "We responsibly market our products to legal drinking-age consumers," a Miller spokesman tells the Journal.

But attorneys general for several states aren't so sure. New York AG Andrew Cuomo "is concerned about what happens when these companies combine alcohol and caffeine and then market those drinks to young people," says an assistant. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, the companies could be hit with multiple civil lawsuits.

A beer delivery man guides a load of beer off a trailer outside a liquor store in southeast Denver on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A beer delivery man guides a load of beer off a trailer outside a liquor store in southeast Denver on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)   (Associated Press)
Cars stream past a sign advertising Budweiser beer in St. Louis in this Tuesday, July 24, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)
Cars stream past a sign advertising Budweiser beer in St. Louis in this Tuesday, July 24, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)   (Associated Press)
Anheuser-Busch has created print and outdoor ads in support of the federal government's We Don't Serve Teens program aimed at preventing underage drinking.
Anheuser-Busch has created print and outdoor ads in support of the federal government's "We Don't Serve Teens" program aimed at preventing underage drinking.   (Associated Press)
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East Bay Business Times

US • Health • Money

 
alcohol • caffeine • drinking • energy drink • Andrew Cuomo • Miller Brewing • Tilt • Bud Extra • Sparks • Anheuser-Busch • underage drinking

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