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Article: Justices Seem Dubious of Law Barring Alcohol Content From Beer Labels
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- December 1, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Beer drinkers can't know their brew's alcohol content by
looking at the bottle because federal law generally keeps the
information off labels.
The restriction is intended to prevent "strength wars," a
government lawyer told the Supreme Court in oral arguments
yesterday.
But the justices, hearing a challenge by Coors Brewing Co. to
the post-Prohibition Era law, were dubious. Justice John Paul
Stevens said some people might consume alcohol "to get drunk as fast
as they can." But, he asked, wouldn't other people want to know the
alcohol content of their beer so they can make sure they will be
able to drive home safely?
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked whether any other food or
drug law ...