Class action law suit filed against Anheuser Busch and other brewers for deceptive labeling. Also, if you're a whisky or vodka drinker Balcones, Maker's Mark, and Tito's are also being sued
In addition to Kirin, the faux imports below are all brewed in the U.S.:
Beck’s. Like Kirin, this Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned brand is the subject of a
class-action lawsuit claiming deceptive marketing because the labels use phrases such as “Originated in Germany” and “German Quality.” Beck’s is actually brewed in 15 different countries, including the U.S., so the Beck’s you buy in this country was most likely produced here.
Foster’s Lager. Billed as a “uniquely Australian beer” by corporate parent
Texas for years. British pub patrons may also be surprised to know that the Foster’s on tap there is made in
Manchester, England, not Down Under.
Killian’s Irish Red. In fairness,
MillerCoors lists the Killian’s brand under the category of “Craft” rather than “Import.” But
craft beer insiders wouldn’t call Killian’s either. The
Killian’s website runs through the history of the brand, which originated in with “the first batch of Enniscorthy Ruby Ale” made by George Killian himself in Ireland. It glosses over how the name was purchased in the 1980s by Coors, and that it’s been brewed in Colorado for decades.
Red Stripe. When sold in the U.S., the iconic grenade bottles of
Red Stripe used to feature the word “Imported” on its label. But starting in 2012, when production for the U.S. market was switched from Jamaica to
Wisconsin, the Diageo-Guinnness-owned beer dropped the “I” word and tweaked the label to reflect its status as merely a “Jamaican Style Lager.” Nonetheless, plenty of drinkers assume it’s still made and imported from the Caribbean.
