MIAMI (Legal Newsline) - A Florida man is suing Anheuser-Busch, alleging it deceives consumers regarding the production of one of its beers.
Henry Vazquez, individually and for all others similarly situated, filed a class action lawsuit April 1 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Anheuser-Busch Companies, alleging unjust enrichment, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, negligence, and breach of contract.
According to the suit, Anheuser-Busch labels its Leffe Beer as "Abbey Ale" and "Abbaye de Abbey of Leffe," including on its packaging a picture of an abbey, the "Story of the abbey of Leffe," and "Anno 1240," implying that Leffe Beer has been brewed since that date under the supervision of monks in an abbey.
However, the lawsuit states, Anheuser-Busch deceives consumers because Leffe Beer is actually mass produced at the fully automated Stella Artois Brewery industrial complex, not crafted by monks in the Abbey of Leffe, which was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Vasquez and others in the class seek a jury trial, declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, statutory penalties, interests, taxable costs, attorney fees and costs. They are represented by attorneys Ervin A. Gonzalez and Natalie M. Rico of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, Florida.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 1:16-CV-21181-UU