Pabst Responds to AGs Blast at New Colt 45 Beverage

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Seventeen attorney generals across the country are standing tall in their bid to halt the production of "Blast" by Colt 45, a Pabst Brewing Co. product.

In a letter sent to the brewing company, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler called the malt beverage "binge-in-a-can" that targets youth, according to a report on CNN International. Gansler was joined in the campaign by the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Washington. San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera also joined the petition.

"Blast" comes in a colorful 23.5-ounce can that resembles a soft drink but is anything but: the drink has an alcohol content of 12 percent, which is stronger than a regular can of beer. The makers have also come under question for using rapper Snoop Dogg to market the malt beverage.

In response to the letter, Pabst Brewing Co. chief marketing officer Jon Sayer said in a written statement to CNN International: "Blast is only meant to be consumed by those above legal drinking age."

The letter continued, "As with all Pabst products, our marketing efforts for Blast are focused on conveying the message of drinking responsibly. To that end, the alcohol content of Blast is clearly marked on its packaging."

Media watchdog group Industry Ears has also spoken out against the drink. "Colt 45 makers are raising the alcohol level from the already high 6 percent to the even higher 12 percent, and enticing young people with hip hop themes and lollipop flavors."