Kirin Beer Lawsuit Settlement

Jan. 13, 2015  —   If you bought Kirin beer between October 25, 2009 and December 17, 2014 and still have the receipt, you may be entitled to $50 from Anheuser-Busch.

A lawsuit by two Miami residents alleged the packaging was deceptive implying the beer was made in Japan when in fact it was made in Los Angeles, CA and Williamsburg, VA.  Under the settlement, consumers are entitled to 10 cents per bottle or can, 50 cents per six-pack and $1 per 12-pack.  The maximum claim payable to any household is $50.

Anheuser-Busch said they believe their labeling, packaging and marketing of Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light has always been truthful.  However, they will no longer use the term “imported” and will indicate more clearly where the beer was made.

Kirin isn’t alone.  Another A-B InBev owned brand is Beck’s and it too is subject to a lawsuit over claims on the label.  Phrases such as “Originated in Germany” and “German Quality” are alleged to imply the beer was made in Germany.  It was probably made in the U.S. as it is produced in 15 different countries, including right here.

There are other imported beers that aren’t.  Foster’s Lager, the quintessential Australian beer with the slogan “Foster’s.  Australian for Beer”, used to be imported from Australia but for quite some time has been made by Oil Can Breweries, Fort Worth, Texas.  It is owned by SAB Miller and is made under license in various parts of the world.

Texas and Australia seem somewhat simpatico – both big, hot and dry for the most part.  But not so Jamaica and Wisconin.  Jamaica’s Red Stripe comes from Wisconsin.  At least its owners, Diageo, also owners of Guinness, had the good sense to drop “imported” in favor of “Jamaican Style Larger” when production moved to Wisconsin in 2012.  If you think you are enjoying bottled Jamaican sunshine, think again.

Killian’s Irish Red, owned by Coors since 1980 is brewed in Colorado and has been for decades.

Are consumers paying more for the “imported” image?  It’s a strange twist of fate that “Made in America” craft beers are the fastest growing category in Beer-dom.  But for foreign beers, “Made in America” is something they’d rather not stress.