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Madigan: Pabst drink is 'binge-in-a-can'

"Blast," a fruit-flavored, Snoop Dogg-promoted, malt beverage produced by Pabst Brewing Co. is the latest alcoholic beverage under fire from Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Just a few months after Four Loko removed caffeine from its contents, attorney generals from 16 states have joined together urging the Woodridge-based brewing company to lower the drink's 12 percent alcohol content.

The malt beverage, which comes in a 23.5 ounce can, was described as a “binge-in-a-can” in a letter sent to Pabst from Madigan and officials from 17 other states.

“A product like this only serves to glamorize alcohol abuse and promote binge drinking, threatening the safety of those consuming it,” Madigan said.

She said the drink is being promoted to minors with a marketing campaign featuring Snoop Dogg, brightly colored cans and fruit flavors such as strawberry lemonade and raspberry watermelon.

The 23.5 ounce drink contains the alcohol equivalent of drinking about 4 or 5 beers, and was launched on April 5 in a reference to the original Colt 45.