If You Thought Beck's Was Brewed in Germany, You're Entitled to a Refund

It's been produced in St. Louis since 2012.

Another brewer is paying the price for misleading beer labels: Beverage conglomerate AB InBev will have to pony up millions of dollars following a class-action lawsuit claiming it "tricked consumers into thinking Beck’s was a German beer," reports The Wall Street Journal.

Beck's was originally produced in Germany but has been made in St. Louis since 2012. The lawsuit claimed that "phrases featured in Beck’s packaging, such as 'German Quality' beer and 'Originated in Bremen, Germany,' gave consumers the wrong impression about where the beer is made." It added that this was "in violation of state consumer protection laws." Anheuser-Busch InBev, which is the world's largest brewer, will have to pay for consumer refunds as well as "up to $3.5 million in attorneys’ fees and costs." Following a final approval hearing this fall consumers will be able to apply for refunds online. Beck's drinkers who can produce receipts can get up to $50; no proof of purchase means refunds are capped at $12.

This is the second time in recent months AB InBev has been hit with a similar lawsuit: Back in January, a judge ruled in favor of plaintiffs who sued for false advertising, arguing that Japanese-born beer Kirin Ichiban — which has been owned by AB InBev since 1996 — "is deceptively advertised as being imported from Japan," even though the label says it's brewed in California.

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