Last week 30 state attorney generals “urged” Anheuser-Busch to add a warning label on its Spykes, Tilt and Bud Extra labels. The warnings are not about how the over-consumption of alcohol may cause birth defects or the other typical warnings.

The warning is that these products which also contain caffeine may make the drinker feel more sober and alert than they actually are. Perhaps a unique twist that gives further credence to having a cup of coffee to help sober you up.

And on top of that—the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau have ruled that Anheuser-Busch’s line of Spykes malt beverages violate federal law because their labels are too hard to read. As a result, Anheuser-Busch stopped production on the product line for a week while it brought its labeling specs up to code.

This is a serious issue and I applaud these lawmakers for taking the first step and suggest that the beer companies pay attention. As beer consumption and sales continue to decline (in favor of wine and distilled spirits) Anheuser-Busch, Coors and Miller are all trying to maintain their sales by introducing new colorful packages, fruit flavors (even chocolate flavored beer!) and alcohol-based alternatives to energy drinks like Red Bull – all of which unfortunately seems to be attracting a younger (and sometimes below legal drinking age) consumer.