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Anheuser-Busch and Inbev brands are shown in this file foto. Law suits filed in several U.S. States allege the company has used water to lower the alcohol content in nine of its brands.(Dirk Waem/AFP/Getty Images)
Anheuser-Busch is defending its reputation. After lawsuits were filed in several state courts across the country last week, Anheuser Busch launched an ad-campaign in national newspapers March 3, to counteract the allegations that it is watering down its beer.
The ads, which appeared in the New York Times and the L.A. Times, according to the BBC say: “They must have tested one of these,” and show a can of Anheuser-Busch drinking water. Anheuser-Busch, the maker of the famous Budweiser beer, donates drinking water to the Red-Cross.
“But in every other circumstance, the Anheuser-Busch logo is our ironclad guarantee that the beer in your hand is the best beer we know how to brew,” says the ad.
Josh Boxer, who leads the class action lawsuit, says that this is not true: “Our information comes from former employees at Anheuser-Busch, who have informed us that, as a matter of corporate practice, all of their products mentioned [in the lawsuit] are watered down,” he told the BBC.
The lawsuits allege that the practice of watering down the beer just before it was bottled began after the merger with Belgian company Inbev in 2008. Before there is a court hearing, where Anheuser-Busch can defend itself, pushing forward the ad campaign is all the company can do.
A very brief statement on the company’s website by Peter Kraemer, Vice President of Brewing and Supply states: “The claims against Anheuser-Busch are completely false, and these lawsuits are groundless. Our beers are in full compliance with all alcohol labeling laws.”
