Kirin Beer False Advertising Class Action Settlement

A false advertising class action lawsuit settlement against Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC has been reached, and will resolve allegations the company gave the impression its Kirin Ichiban beer is brewed in Japan, when it is in fact it is made in the United States. If you purchased Kirin beer from Oct. 25, 2009 through Dec. 17, 2014, you may be eligible for benefits from this class action settlement.

The Kirin class action lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs Lady Suarez and Gustavo Oliva, in which they alleged that Anheuser-Busch deceived customers into thinking the beer is made in Japan by including a phrase that gave this impression to Class Members.

While the bottles did include a statement explaining that the beer is in fact brewed in Virginia, the plaintiffs claim that it was in small print and in a location that a consumer would not see until after the beer was purchased, as there was no statement about this fact on the six-pack box the beer came in.

Suarez and Gustavo charged Anheuser-Busch in the Kirin class action lawsuit with violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Busch brews Kirin in the United States as per an agreement the American beer maker made with Kirin Brewery Co. in 1996 and again in 2006.

Under the terms of the class action settlement, Busch will now print the following statement on the outside box that the beer comes in as well as on the bottles: “Brewed under Kirin’s strict supervision by Anheuser-Busch in Los Angeles, CA and Williamsburg, VA.”

Anheuser-Busch denies the allegations in the Kirin class action lawsuit but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the cost and risk of trial. The Kirin class action settlement was preliminarily approved by a Florida state judge on Dec. 17, 2014.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Kirin class action settlement include all consumers who purchased Kirin Ichiban beer or Kirin Light beer brewed and sold by Anheuser-Busch in the United States for personal, family, or household purposes and not for re-sale from Oct. 25, 2009 through Dec. 17, 2014.

Potential Award

Up to $50. Kirin customers are eligible to receive a payment for each Kirin purchase from the class action settlement and may file a claim for the following benefits with or without a proof of purchase:

• For each six pack of 12 oz. bottles or cans: $0.50.
• For each 12 pack of 12 oz. bottles or cans: $1.00.
• For each individual bottle or can: $0.10.

If a Kirin customer has a proof of purchase, reimbursement is capped at $50.00 per Settlement Class Household.

If there is no proof of purchase, reimbursement shall be capped at $12.00 per Settlement Class Household.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase is required, but for additional benefits Class Members may provide a sales receipt showing the Kirin beer purchased and the date of purchase.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

06/15/2015

Case Name

Gustavo E. Olivia, et al. v. Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC, Case No. 13-033620 CA 01, in the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida

Final Hearing

04/17/2015

Settlement Website

www.KirinBeerSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Olivia v. Anheuser-Busch Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 43337
Providence, RI 02940-3337
877-695-7405

Class Counsel

KOZYAK, TROPIN & THROCKMORTON, LLP

HARKE CLASBY & BUSHMAN LLP

ROBERT W. RODRIGUEZ, P.A.

Defense Counsel

Stanley H. Wakshlag
KENNY NACHWALTER, P.A.

UPDATE: On Nov. 2, 2015, readers of Top Class Actions began reporting they were receiving checks in the mail from the Kirin beer settlement. Congratulations to everyone who submitted a valid claim and got PAID!

Check out other class action lawsuits and class action settlements you can join!