State Attorneys General Call Out Pabst

Attorneys General from 17 states, including Ohio, Maryland, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Washington, along with the city attorney of San Francisco, endorsed a letter to Pabst Brewing Company asking the maker to reconsider its marketing position. The product in question is a fruity alcoholic drink called “Blast.” One 23.5 ounce can contains as much alcohol as four cans of beer, and many feel the product is being marketed to underage individuals. Those with this perspective cite the drink’s colorful packaging, flavors and an endorsement deal with rapper Snoop Dog as evidence that it is being marketed to young drinkers.

The letter’s author, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, calls the drink a “binge-in-a-can.” He points out that “anyone who consumes a can of Blast within an hour will have engaged in binge drinking as defined by health authorities.”

Pabst’s Chief Marketing Officer Jon Sayer defended the company’s actions: “As with all Pabst products, our marketing efforts for Blast are focused on conveying the message of drinking responsibly.” He said, “To that end, the alcohol content of Blast is clearly marked on its packaging.”

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