Ohio AG says alcohol energy drink entices youth

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has joined his counterparts from other states in demanding changes to a new fruit-flavored energy drink that’s 12 percent alcohol.

DeWine said in a statement today that consuming a standard 23.5-ounce can of “Blast by Colt 45” is like drinking four regular, 12-ounce bottles of beer. He says Blast could easily be called a “binge in a can.”

Attorneys general from 17 states and U.S. territories have written Pabst Brewing Co. asking that the alcohol content be lowered in the interest of fighting alcohol abuse by college students and underage drinkers.

DeWine says the drink seems geared toward younger consumers because it’s packaged in colorful cans, uses fruit flavors and is pitched by rap star Snoop Dogg.

There was no immediate response from Pabst.