February 4th, 2021
January 2021: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 21-cv-435, C.D. Cal.) November 2020: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide for allegedly falsely advertising that Beck’s Non-Alcoholic Beer does not contain any alcohol when, according to plaintiffs, the beverage contains “detectable amounts of alcohol.” (Angiano et al
December 3rd, 2020
June 2020: The appeal was dismissed because the objector reached a settlement agreement with Craft Brew Alliance. According to the terms, the objector will receive $33,000 ($25,500 from class counsel and $7,500 from Craft Brew Alliance). March 2020: An objector filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the order granting final approval of the settlement agreement.
December 2nd, 2020
In November 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Heineken USA Inc. for allegedly misleadingly advertising Tecate brand beer as a Mexican beer without adequately disclosing that the beer is brewed in Holland. (Schelmetty et al v. Heineken USA Inc., Case No. 20-cv-9985, S.D.N.Y.) For more of TINA.org’s coverage of alcohol, click here.
November 13th, 2020
January 2020: A state court judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement. December 2018: A state court judge preliminarily approved a settlement agreement that provides class members with a cash award in an amount that depends on the number and type of products purchased. The maximum award a class member may receive is $10.
May 29th, 2019
FTC scrutinizes beer equipment that doesn’t meet its standard to be marketed as American-made.
February 28th, 2019
In February 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against A & W Concentrate Company and Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. for allegedly misleadingly marketing that A & W Root Beer and Cream Sodas are “made with aged vanilla” when, according to plaintiffs, the sodas do not contain real vanilla and are actually made with a chemical
January 24th, 2019
October 2016: This case was voluntarily dismissed as to the named plaintiff and as to the class members. The reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. April 2016: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Anheuser-Busch for allegedly deceptively marketing Leffe Beer as being brewed in an abbey in small quantities under the supervision of
January 24th, 2019
March 2017: This case was voluntarily dismissed because the parties entered a confidential settlement agreement. The named plaintiffs’ claims were dismissed and the class members’ claims were dismissed . March 2015: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC for allegedly misleadingly labeling its Busch beer as made in the U.S. when
December 4th, 2018
In November 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Virgil’s Sodas for allegedly deceptively marketing its Root Beer and Orange Cream sodas as being “Made Naturally” with “100% Natural Ingredients” and as having “No Preservatives” when, according to the plaintiffs, the sodas contain a synthetic preservative called citric acid. (Mason et al v. Reed’s Inc.
June 7th, 2018
February 2017: A federal judge dismissed this lawsuit concluding that the marketing as a whole would not mislead a reasonable consumer. April 2016: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Sapporo U.S.A., Inc. for allegedly misleadingly marketing Sapporo beer as being made in and imported from Japan when it is actually brewed in the United States
March 29th, 2018
In March 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Pabst Brewing Co. for allegedly falsely marketing Olympia beers as being brewed using artesian water in Washington when, according to plaintiffs, the beers are brewed without artesian water in a mass-production brewery in California. (Peacock et al v. Pabst Brewing Company, LLC, Case No. 18-cv-568, E.
May 12th, 2017
February 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed , the reasons for which have not been disclosed. October 2014: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Smucker Natural Foods for allegedly misleadingly labeling Natural Brew Draft Root Beer as “made from all natural ingredients” and containing “no artificial colors, flavors, or additives, ever” when the root beer
February 23rd, 2017
Class-action lawsuit challenges retailer’s premium beer claim.
February 22nd, 2017
In February 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Walmart for allegedly falsely marketing beers – including Cat’s Away IPA, After Party Pale Ale, Round Midnight Belgian White, and Red Flag Amber – as craft beers when, in reality, the beers are not craft beers and are not produced at a craft brewery. (Adam et
February 17th, 2017
A symphony of languages unlock the door.
January 23rd, 2017
April 2016: The appeal was dismissed , the reasons for which have not been disclosed. November 2015: An objector filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the decision to approve the settlement. (Marty et al v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Case No. 15-15269, 11th Cir.) October 2015: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement. June 2015:
July 25th, 2016
June 2016: After plaintiffs filed an amended complaint making similar allegations (i. e., the company misleadingly markets Blue Moon as a craft beer when it is not) in November 2015, a federal judge dismissed this action finding that, among other things, representations in the advertisements amount to puffery and a reasonable consumer could not rely
June 29th, 2016
May 2016: Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed claims against Diageo-Guinness USA, Inc. . The reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. April 2016: A federal judge dismissed claims against Diageo-Guinness USA, Inc. finding that the packaging and labels would not mislead reasonable consumers into believing the beer is brewed in Jamaica with Jamaican ingredients. The Court
April 18th, 2016
March 2016: The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s decision to dismiss this lawsuit. (In Re: Anheuser-Busch Beer Labeling Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, Case No. 14-3653, 6th Cir.) June 2014: A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch. Plaintiffs claimed that the company represents the alcohol content of several Anheuser-Busch
March 15th, 2016
Beer me some misleading ad claims this St. Patrick’s Day.