YUCK!! Caffeine Now Added To Beer?

[Jenya]

Canadian Breweries Add Caffeine Kick in Their Beer

CTV News

Tuesday March 15, 2005

Canada's two main beer giants are trying to "Shok" and "Kick" Canadians into trying something new -- caffeinated beer. But some say the drinks have all the ingredients for disaster.

Robert Solomon, a law professor and the director of legal policies for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, has one word for the beers: irresponsible.

"Great idea: Alcohol and caffeine! So now we'll have wide awake drunk kids on our roads!" a clearly irritated Solomon told CTV News.

The caffeine in the beers comes from guarana, an extract from a climbing shrub native to the Amazon region. Molson Canada says the plant is "a natural source" of caffeine that has been the subject of intriguing claims about "supernatural powers."

Molson Canada's Babita Khunkhun says her brewery spent two years working on their formulation, hoping to tap into the guarana-enriched beverage market that in places like Brazil, is bigger than the cola market.

"As you may know, guarana-enriched beverages are gaining in popularity in South America. And our market research with Canadian beer drinkers found that this is what they wanted," she told CTV News

Guarana is often found in herbal weight loss products, aphrodisiacs and brain stimulants, promising to impede sleep and suppress appetite. But none of those properties have been proven, says Shannon Kaupp, a Toronto doctor of naturopathic medicine.

"People may assume it's healthy because it comes from a plant -- and many plants and herbs are safe -- but many are not," Kaupp cautions.

Kaupp told CTV News that guarana, like caffeine, is a diuretic that will increase urination and accelerate dehydration, while quickening the heartbeat. She says that could cause problems, especially for those with heart conditions, or blood pressure kidney problems.

"I don't think it's ever a good idea to mix stimulants with depressants," Kaupp says.

Labatt's Shok has 6.9 per cent alcohol by volume and comes in a 250-ml bottle, meaning you'll get as much alcohol as in a regular 341-ml bottle of beer.

Solomon says he is furious that brewers are still allowed to sell extra-strength beers and says he doesn't understand how these products ever get to market.

"They are marketing these products to kids who want to get drunk -- kids who are inexperienced drinkers and who are inexperienced drivers.

"Drivers under 25 are already overrepresented in traffic accidents and in alcohol-related accidents. How many dead young people do we want on our roads?"

Molson's new beer will be marketed in what the brewer calls "a fast chilling" aluminum bottle, as well as cans. Khunkhun says the beer is meant to appeal to "contemporary" beer drinkers.

Solomon says it is obvious to him what that means: youth.

"If you're over 35, are you going to buy it? I know I'm not going to buy it. It's quite clear they're trying to make the packaging look like it's the new Coke can. It's exactly their market and it's predatory marketing."

Solomon worries the beer will give young drivers the impression they're more alert when they get behind the wheel.

But Khunkhun says that's not how they are marketing the beer at all.

"We want to be clear that this isn't an energy drink. It's a traditional-tasting lager, with a smooth crisp taste," she says.

Molson's Kick will be available throughout Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada beginning March 21. It will make its way to the Atlantic provinces on April 1.

Shok will first be available in Ontario and Quebec in early April. It will then roll out across the rest of Canada.

Both are preceded by Anheuser-Busch's B-to-the-E, a similar mix of beer, caffeine and ginseng released by the U.S. brewing giant last October.

[TJL]

What a waste of fine beer.

[Jenya]

Originally Posted by TJL

What a waste of fine beer.

Well If I have a beer, I prefer the German, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian brands offered at the local Liquor store. It seems the advertising campaign for American and Canadian brands these days, are to get their customers drunk.

[TJL]

Originally Posted by Jenya

It seems the advertising campaign for American and Canadian brands these days, are to get their customers drunk.

I don't need any ad companies to tell me how to drink. I do fine on my own.

[Hollow]

beer is disgusting anyway.

[The Modfather]

Originally Posted by safety pin

beer is disgusting anyway.

I agree.

[Rebel Queen 1980]

Some beer likes like pee with soap suds on top!

[Ohio8]

Dudes! I posted about this at this website's "Drew Carey Show" board several months ago! The company that makes Budweiser, etc. is thinking about doing this....a real-life Buzz Beer.

[Sterling Holobyte]

Maybe the narcotic effect of the alcohol and the stimulant effect of the caffeine will cancel each other out and it will be like you just drank a six-pack of water.

[TripperFan]

I know - this is crazy! Heard about it about a month ago. Sure - now let's get people CROSS ADDICTED to the alcohol AND caffeine!! That way, they can stay awake longer and drink more before passing out!

[Belair]

I agree with safety pin and The Modfather,Beer is yuck.Its an acquired taste,and I've never liked it.I never thought women should drink it so much anyway.

[Mr. Stefani]

its probably like that new bud. it tastes like beer with redbull mixed in. i had 2 cans of it and my ass was going nuts. made me so hyper

[crystals]

Yuck! I hate beer.
I have never cared for caffeinated beverages, either. With what it said in the article, about the wide-awake drunk kids on the road. That's definetely not what society needs. Even with some responsible people, there is always some out there who are irresponsible. I think caffeinated beer is about the stupidest idea I have ever heard. And, if the drink is made and marketed, I think it will be the stupidest and irresponsible beverage ever made.