If you drink the following beers, they are watered down (since 2008)

[MrLara]

If you drink these beers: Budweiser, Bud Ice, Bud Light Platinum, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Hurricane High Gravity Lager, King Cobra, Busch Ice, Natural Ice and Bud Light Lime.

They are watered down.

(Part of the article)

"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," Boxer said. "It's a simple cost-saving measure, and it's very significant." The excess water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by 3 percent to 8 percent, he said.

"AB (Anheuser-Busch) never intends for the malt beverage to possess the amount of alcohol that is stated on the label. As a result, AB's customers are overcharged for watered-down beer and AB is unjustly enriched by the additional volume it can sell," the lawsuit said.
Here's the full article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-02-26-17-31-04

 

[cb91710]

It's beer... kinda... (it's American swill).
Why the panic over the reduced alcohol? Do people really drink beer to TRY to get drunk?

If the taste is what the buyer wants, the buyer will buy more.

 

[MrLara]

some people do.

I buy a few beers every weekend (stouts, IPAs). Depending on the alcohol content sometimes all it takes is 1 beer , get a nice buzz and watch a movie or something.

 

[ReAndyMator]

Given how strict the US is on stated alcohol levels, I'd suggest that this is unlikely (we were fined* once when a spirit, quoted at 43% turned out to only have 42.7%). Someone would have noticed.....

Edited to delete something that I'd have noticed if I'd read the article....

Further edited - if you're reducing strength from 11% to 8% (as stated) you'd be adding 40% water (give or take) to it. Reducing typical 5% beer to (say) 4% would require c25% additional water. Still. We'll see the outcome of the case. If they really are doing this, they'll be in trouble.

One final thought - I presume they're taxed by the strength (certainly we are in the UK, and in most of the rest of the world). In which case, there's no point in overstating the strength. They'd be better off quoting the correct strength, paying the correct amount of tax, and being able to discount the packs, probably increasing market share. It should be noted, that plenty of wine producers understate the strength for this very reason....

*Fine was later cancelled, since it seemed to be some debate over the 'real' and 'apparent' strength. Since then, rules have been tightened even further....

 

[Toothpick]

Do people really drink beer to TRY to get drunk?

I believe they are called "under agers" and I was one of them . "shotgunning" was my favorite activity.

I had just always assumed any light beer was watered down, and some cheap beers like Busch, which looks like I was right. I can't even remember the last time I've had any of those beers. I'll throw back a Miller Lite when I'm out and need to wash down my food. Any other time I prefer a real beer, one that you casually drink and enjoy with friends.

 

[Samurai-5]

Everyone knows these were "watered down" WAY before that right?

 

[RogerStenning]

Personally, I prefer real ales, specifically Light Ale (NOT India Pale Ale, that's another form of ale altogether), as (1) it's light and refreshing, (2) it's not too alcoholic (avg 4%-4.6%) as compared to those Pilsner Lagers that young drinkers chug all the time, and (3) they're generally a better product in any case, with less chemicals in them than conventionally brewed beers and lagers.

However, when all is said and done, personal preference, and what you want to pay for your beverage of choice, is most often the deciding factor. As to the allegations of watered down beers in the press, that's all they are: Allegations. Unless and/or until proven in a court, that's all they will ever be.

 

[buca3152]

Seems everything today is watered down. Buying good beer then is actually 25% cheaper than we thought. I have to share that with the wife! Lol. And the amount of money Ive saved since I started using straight razors!

 

[the_edski]

I think the only people that will get really mad about this are the same people who get mad when they are told wrestling is fake. The rest of us just realize the world for what it is and deal with it.

 

[urkel]

I don't usually go for these beers. I'd almost rather drink a soda. Each to their own though. Same as our shaving habits. I do know I can have a lighter beer early in the day without getting too lazy while a heavier IPA or Porter will have me looking for the recliner in the middle of the day

 

[njpaddy]

I don't think I've had a Bud in 30 or 40 years. Even back when it wasn't watered down, I didn't like the brand. If a restaurant doesn't have Bass Ale or I'm in the mood for a cheap beer that has no taste, I order a Coors Light. At least I know what I'm getting.

 

[blary54]

It's beer... kinda... (it's American swill).
Why the panic over the reduced alcohol? Do people really drink beer to TRY to get drunk?

If the taste is what the buyer wants, the buyer will buy more.

The people that are buying Hurricane High Gravity Lager I bet arn't buying it for taste...

 

[rushchairman]

It's beer... kinda... (it's American swill).
Why the panic over the reduced alcohol? Do people really drink beer to TRY to get drunk?

No, they drink it to become more interesting.

 

[scboch]

Well now I feel really happy, because I don't drink any of that swill...

 

[chado006]

Good thing I stick with microbrews!

 

[urkel]

Micros in northern Wyoming? I was there in the mid 80's and missed good beer?

 

[packersfan117]

I'm honestly not surprised. I stay away from these "brews". There are plenty of other good breweries in America as well as the rest of the world, I take my business to them.

 

[Fkread]

Monty Python had some good things to say about American beer. It's funny, but probably shouldn't be published here. Google it.

Kelly

 

[Dusty1]

Watering it down gives it less flavor, which is good in that case, but they might be doing that to other beers as well. It is happening to liquor a as well. Who knows how long they have been doing it to OJ and juices by now. It's a sneaky way of downsizing in a way.

 

[buffdaddy]

If you drink these beers: Budweiser, Bud Ice, Bud Light Platinum, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Hurricane High Gravity Lager, King Cobra, Busch Ice, Natural Ice and Bud Light Lime.

They are watered down.

(Part of the article)

"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," Boxer said. "It's a simple cost-saving measure, and it's very significant." The excess water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by 3 percent to 8 percent, he said.

"AB (Anheuser-Busch) never intends for the malt beverage to possess the amount of alcohol that is stated on the label. As a result, AB's customers are overcharged for watered-down beer and AB is unjustly enriched by the additional volume it can sell," the lawsuit said.
Here's the full article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-02-26-17-31-04

Well it seems like I'm drinking a can of water whenever I drink those brands anyway. Guess this confirms it.