Court Enters Final Judgment Approving Settlement in Beck’s Beer Case

Marty v. Anheuser-Busch Co., No. 13cv23656 (S.D. Fla.): In a putative class action alleging that Anheuser-Busch misled consumers and charged a premium price for Beck's beer by marketing Beck's as a German beer brewed in Germany when it is manufactured in the United States with domestic ingredients, the Court entered final judgment approving settlement.  The terms of the final settlement are the same as we previously reported:  (a) the settlement fund is uncapped, permitting those who purchased the challenged beers since May 2011 to refund claims ranging from $0.10 per bottle up to $1.75 per 20-can pack and (b) households may claim up to $50 each with receipts or $12 without and will have four months from the date of settlement to submit claims.  The brewer also agreed to include the phrases "Brewed in USA" or "Product of USA" on the product labeling for the next five years.  In addition, the Court ordered $3.5 million in attorney fees and $5,000 per class representation, as agreed by the parties.  Judgment attached.