Anheuser-Busch to Stop Selling Alcoholic Energy Drinks
Mixing energy drinks with alcoholic beverages has come a long way since the simpler days of DIY Red Bull-and-vodka concoctions, with companies like Budweiser and Miller creating drinks containing energy-boosting elements of taurine and ginseng, in addition to the caffeine. Now facing pressure from state officials, Anheuser-Busch has agreed to stop selling alcoholic energy drinks:
The attorneys general and the Center for Science in the Public Interest have threatened to sue A-B and Miller Brewing Co., charging that their alcoholic energy drinks are marketed to underage drinkers and also pose health risks.
A-B, while maintaining that the beverages are legal and not marketed to underage drinkers, nonetheless notified CSPI that it would agree to stop marketing alcoholic drinks with energy supplements such as caffeine.
Earlier, Anheuser-Busch called the concerns over alcoholic energy beverages as being "alarmist," pointing out that their products like Bud Extra and Tilt had less caffeine than a Starbuck's coffee and had met all federal requirements and approvals. Now, however, they say they will reformulate the drinks so that they do not contain supplements like caffeine and guarana. State officials say they are continuing to investigate other producers of alcoholic energy drinks.
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7 Comments:
I am glad to hear this. Too many people have undiagnosed heart disease, and don't realize drinks like these mixed with alcohol can kill.
Now if only bartenders would stop serving energy drinks mixed with alcohol to patrons.
I say if a patron knows they are dangerous and chooses to mix stimulants and depressants anyway, then the bartenders can pass them the drinks to mix themselves, caveat emptor.
bobcatsteph3 at 5:36PM on 06/29/08
Yeah, to heck with that stuff the kids are drinking - try a real energy drink:
1 shot Espresso & 1 oz. Good Irish Whiskey, into a Pint of Guiness! Drink up to your health!
GingerSnap at 7:05PM on 06/29/08
Alcoholic energy drink = Jumbo shrimp.
It's an oxymoron!
LearP at 8:28PM on 06/29/08
Sparks should be gone, but not because of the health risks per se. It should be gone because it makes you CRAZY.
worldcupfever at 3:12PM on 06/30/08
I'm with you there worldcup, but I love me some Sparks. Say it ain't so!
tsullie at 5:57PM on 06/30/08
Oh, I didn't say I don't like Sparks. It just scares the hell out of me.
worldcupfever at 10:48AM on 07/01/08
noooooooo! this stuff got me through so many dj gigs.
arobotar at 4:16PM on 07/01/08