Beer Giant Kills Caffeine, Alcohol Combo

MillerCoors takes boost out of energy beer
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 19, 2008 6:43 AM CST
Beer Giant Kills Caffeine, Alcohol Combo
MillerCoors LLC announced Thursday it will remove caffeine and other ingredients from Sparks.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Beer giant MillerCoors has agreed to snuff out its controversial Sparks line of high-alcohol, high-caffeine drinks. Attorneys general in 25 states complained the stimulant dangerously masks intoxication and accused the company of marketing the beverages to teenagers, the Chicago Tribune reports. Anheuser-Busch has already agreed to remove caffeine from Tilt and Bud Extra. 

Energy-alcohol drinks "look and taste like popular non-alcoholic energy drinks," said Maine's AG, one of the most vocal critics of the hybrid drinks. "They're popular with young people who wrongly believe that the stimulating effects of caffeine will counteract the intoxicating effects of alcohol."

(More MillerCoors stories.)

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