Class action suit tossed out of California court

Modern Brewery Age, Feb 14, 2005

A California class action suit that accused brewers of targeting youth with their ads has been dismissed by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.

The suit, filed by parents whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, named Miller Brewing Co. and Anheuser-Busch as defendants.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman dismissed the suit because he said plaintiffs failed to support their case with proof of any false statements in beer ad campaigns, and their failure to show direct harm from beer marketing. The judge added that the plaintiffs hadn't shown whether the drunken driver had seen any beer ads, and whether he had been influenced by such ads.

The suit sought damages equal to the amount of money brewers "derived from serving underage consumers." The plaintiff's attorney had cited dollar figures between $4 billion and $5 billion.

Miller and Anheuser-Busch said the suit was without merit.

In a statement, Lisa Joley, A-B general counsel, said lawsuits like the California class action suit "divert attention from proven solutions to address the serious problem of underage drinking."