Anheuser-Busch is being accused of selling its new drink, Spykes, to kids.
"This caffeinated alcoholic beverage is one of an insidious new generation of starter drinks — luring underage drinkers with caffeine, fruit and chocolate flavors and cute, hip packaging," Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a statement.
But I know that kids drink to get drunk, so this spykes won't be their first choice. Most kids I know drink liquor or beer.
Francine Katz, Anheuser-Busch’s vice president for communications, said Spykes’ critics misunderstand the behavior of underaged drinkers."They drink for instant impact," Katz said. "The fact that Spykes are sold in 2-ounce bottles and thus have a total alcohol content equivalent to one-third of a glass of wine makes it much less likely that illegal underage drinkers will choose Spykes as opposed to a 70- to 80-proof hard liquor product."
Spykes also contains caffeine, ginseng and guarana, which are components of energy drinks popular among teens and young adults.
Katz said the company has worked with many states in education programs about the dangers of supplying alcohol to minors. But the company rejects arguments from the attorneys general that Spykes is marketed to teenagers.
"The simple fact remains that Spykes are intended for adults 21 and older who enjoy sweet, fruit and chocolate-flavored cocktails and alcohol beverages," Katz said. "To attack the one product in this category with the lowest alcohol content and a very limited distribution makes no sense."
So there nanny types!!
