So, Anheuser- Busch has been wateriing down their beer, eh?

[markw]

"PHILADELPHIA — Beer lovers across the U.S. have accused Anheuser-Busch of watering down its Budweiser, Michelob and other brands, in class-action suits seeking millions in damages.
The suits, filed in Pennsylvania, California and other states, claim consumers have been cheated out of the alcohol content stated on labels. Budweiser and Michelob each boast of being 5 percent alcohol, while some "light" versions are said to be just over 4 percent.

The lawsuits are based on information from former employees at the company's 13 U.S. breweries, some in high-level plant positions, according to lead lawyer Josh Boxer of San Rafael, Calif."

More info in the link.

The real question is, how could they tell?

 

[Grador]

That last question you pose is what was running through my mind while reading the quoted text.

 

[slipperybidness]

That last question you pose is what was running through my mind while reading the quoted text.

Budweiser is watered down? NO! I can't believe it!

Yeah, I don't need a fancy test, my good old taste buds could have told you that. In fact, I have been telling people that for years.

What's even worse, it's brewed with rice. That is known as an adjunct, clear violation of the German Beer Purity Law

 

[brianedm]

Guinness or micro brews. That's my motto and it's never steered me wrong.

 

[Adam]

Okay, I'll admit - I don't hate AB beers. I don't love them, but some aren't too bad. Bud Light Platinum is actually pretty tasty - not really light, mind you, but pretty tasty.

That is known as an adjunct, clear violation of the German Beer Purity Law

Well, that law is no longer active in Germany - and a LOT of beers violate its edict to only brew using water, barley, and hops. Plus, I'm a fan of American freedom of will winning out over German purity laws. Just sayin'. About beer...

 

[TLS Guy]

This is old news!

[video=youtube;m_WRFJwGsbY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_WRFJwGsbY[/video]

 

[Rickster71]

That's funny, though not surprising.
I saw that on the news this morning. The fist thing that came to mind, seems to be what we were all thinking, "How could they tell?"

It won't make a bit of difference to the people that don't know much about beer and drink Anheuser products....or any watery lager.
They probably still think it's an American company. It's owned by Belgian-Brazilian brewing company InBev.
Brand loyalty is a tough psychology to over come; the news won't change a thing for them.

To be fair. They never claimed to brew to German beer purity laws. If it's claimed in the USA it's just a marketing ploy.
Always an adjunct beer, as most of the mass produced lagers sold here are.

 

[Dan]

I'll repost this link I found from the What are you drinking now thread:

Beer merger would worsen existing duopoly by AB InBev, SABMiller - The Washington Post

This is what happens when mergers go unchecked. Once the product is controlled by a few companies, quality can be cut and prices raised with impunity. Even the most diehard capitalists must agree that competition is necessary to make the system work.

 

[Rickster71]

I'll repost this link I found from the What are you drinking now thread:

Beer merger would worsen existing duopoly by AB InBev, SABMiller - The Washington Post

This is what happens when mergers go unchecked. Once the product is controlled by a few companies, quality can be cut and prices raised with impunity. Even the most diehard capitalists must agree that competition is necessary to make the system work.

While I see your point. When they merged, they did so out of the country. Following a more favorable tax structure.
It didn't change much in these instances. The beer has always been watery pi$$, and it still is.

 

[Adam]

It won't make a bit of difference to the people that don't know much about beer and drink Anheuser products....or any watery lager.

Some folks just like it, Rick. Not everyone likes stronger tasting beers. A "watery lager" can be pretty refreshing after a day working or playing outside in the summer.

 

[Dan]

While I see your point. When they merged, they did so out of the country. Following a more favorable tax structure.
It didn't change much in these instances. The beer has always been watery pi$$, and it still is.

I agree, I never liked most AB products. The merger had no immediate effect but as they gradually acquired other brands in the US, they have reached a point of shared control with SAB Miller that now they can start to act with impunity from competition. They have also taken over much of distribution which affects availablility, pricing and visibility in the store to a great degree and is less obvious to the consumer.

 

[slipperybidness]

That's funny, though not surprising.
I saw that on the news this morning. The fist thing that came to mind, seems to be what we were all thinking, "How could they tell?"

It won't make a bit of difference to the people that don't know much about beer and drink Anheuser products....or any watery lager.
They probably still think it's an American company. It's owned by Belgian-Brazilian brewing company InBev.
Brand loyalty is a tough psychology to over come; the news won't change a thing for them.

To be fair. They never claimed to brew to German beer purity laws. If it's claimed in the USA it's just a marketing ploy.
Always an adjunct beer, as most of the mass produced lagers sold here are.

I didn't mean that they do claim to brew by that law.

I was being a little bit sarcastic / funny, and somehow y'all seemed to have missed that.

The point is, craft and micro brews are having a huge comeback in the USA right now. San Diego, Colorado, Portland, and Austin are leading the way. You don't typically find adjuncts in these beers as the purpose of adjuncts is to make a beer with cheaper ingredients. When micros violate the Purity Law, it's more of an artistic approach to brewing, vs the big boys that are trying to make every penny that they can.

 

[slipperybidness]

Some folks just like it, Rick. Not everyone likes stronger tasting beers. A "watery lager" can be pretty refreshing after a day working or playing outside in the summer.

Yup, unfortunately the American taste for beer is the AB market. For whatever reason that is beyond my cognition, that is what Americans (in general) want.

But, if that is what I want on a particular day, then I don't get it from AB. I go for something like St Arnolds Fancy Lawnmower or Real Ale Fireman #4. Craft beers.

 

[gmichael]

How can you water down water? What am I missing? Next thing you'll tell me is that Coors is watered down.

 

[Dan]

How can you water down water? What am I missing? Next thing you'll tell me is that Coors is watered down.

Coors Light is repetitiously redundant.

 

[gmichael]

Coors Light is repetitiously redundant.

It does make a good laxative though.

 

[Rickster71]

Some folks just like it, Rick. Not everyone likes stronger tasting beers. A "watery lager" can be pretty refreshing after a day working or playing outside in the summer.

I didn't mean it as an affront toward anyone.

While taste is highly subjective.
Mass production doesn't usually compare well to crafted products.

Whether it's a McDonald's hamburger vs one handmade by a chef.
Or a Bose HTIB vs equipment that's been favorably measured by a third party.
The success of McDonald's and Bose both prove that most people purchase based on factors other than measured quality.
(If a person doesn't mind...it doesn't matter)

Adjunct beers are the HTIB, to use Audioholic terms. Doesn't mean they shouldn't be or aren't popular; it's simply a matter of subjective taste.

Heck, I just had a Wendy's chicken sandwich yesterday. Not because I think they are the best, it was just convenient.

 

[Rickster71]

I didn't mean that they do claim to brew by that law.

I was being a little bit sarcastic / funny, and somehow y'all seemed to have missed that.

That's because you didn't put a or a after that part.

My state of NJ was very late to the party.
They got it first brew pub in 1995.
Before then I had my first craft beer out in Washington State back in 85.
Can't remember the name of the place, I just remember a wall of taps at least 30ft long.

 

[lsiberian]

Heck, I just had a Wendy's chicken sandwich yesterday.

It may not be Rudy's chicken in the hood, but that chicken sandwich is definitely good(I had one yesterday too) That said I've never drank an AB beer before. Really don't plan too. There are too many craft beers left to try.

 

[slipperybidness]

It may not be Rudy's chicken in the hood, but that chicken sandwich is definitely good(I had one yesterday too) That said I've never drank an AB beer before. Really don't plan too. There are too many craft beers left to try.

Really? I don't know how accurate this list is.....but there is a dang good chance you have had an AB beer and didn't know it.
http://www.nomorefreebeer.com/index.php/the-facts/anheuser-beer-list/