Alcohol levels in Bud beer questioned

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ST. LOUIS, March 2 (UPI) -- Independent testing of three varieties of Budweiser beer shows alcohol content slightly under the levels listed on the label, CNN said.

The cable news channel reported Friday that it arranged testing by an independent lab of Budweiser, Bud Light Lime and Bud Ice. Budweiser, labeled as being 5 percent alcohol tested at 4.94 percent, while Bud Light tested at 4.13 and was labeled at 4.2 and Bud Ice tested at 5.35 with 5.5 on the label.

Anheuser-Busch, which owns the Budweiser brand, is the target of a lawsuit alleging the company is misleading consumers. The company says the suit is "groundless."

"The sample test results you provided are well within the variability of the all-natural brewing process and all in full compliance with all alcohol labeling laws, as we noted," said Peter Kraemer, vice president of brewing and supply for Anheuser-Busch.

Joshua Boxer, who represents two California residents who filed the lawsuit this week, says the company saves millions of dollars every year in small reductions in alcohol content. The suit did not list alleged strengths, but Boxer said the plaintiffs believe Budweiser averages 4.7 percent alcohol.