Check out this story by Christopher Leonard of the Associated Press about Anheuser-Busch agreeing to stop making those caffeine-filled “energy” beers many of us craft beer enthusiasts find so ridiculous.

These “beers” don’t follow the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 (the Reinheitsgebot), that’s for sure. I have always felt the concept behind those products was a little sinister and it looks like the Attorney General’s from 11 states agree.

Here is the story.

ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch Cos. will quit selling caffeinated alcoholic drinks as part of a legal settlement with several state attorneys general, including Idaho, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Thursday.

Anheuser-Busch was marketing its caffeinated drinks to minors and misrepresenting the drinks’ health benefits, Cuomo said. He was among 11 attorneys general who reached a settlement with the nation’s largest brewer.

Anheuser-Busch did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has long been dogged by accusations that its marketing for the caffeinated alcoholic drinks targets those under the legal drinking age, thereby encouraging illegal sales. The St. Louis-based company has steadfastly denied the charges.

In February, the attorneys general subpoenaed documents from Anheuser-Busch related to its marketing efforts for the alcoholic energy drinks, which include the “Tilt” and “Bud Extra” brands. The investigation was sparked by concerns that the drinks were targeted to teenagers and young adults already drawn to highly caffeinated drinks like Red Bull.

Documents reviewed in the case appeared to validate that concern, Cuomo said.

Attorneys general were concerned about what they said were aggressive marketing campaigns that promised endless nights of fun and enhanced abilities. For example, Anheuser-Busch promoted Bud Extra with the slogan “You can sleep when you’re 30.”

While Anheuser-Busch denied claims made by the attorneys general, it cooperated with the investigation and promptly decided to reformulate Tilt and Bud Extra without caffeine or other stimulants.

“Drinking is not a sport, a race, or an endurance test. Adding alcohol to energy drinks sends exactly the wrong message about responsible drinking, most especially to young people,” Cuomo said in the statement. “This agreement keeps these dangerous products off our shelves.”

“The stimulants in these beverages mask the effects of the alcohol,” Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “As a result, the consumer feels alert and, although impaired by alcohol, does not perceive that he or she is impaired. Obviously, this creates a highly dangerous situation. I appreciate Anheuser-Busch’s willingness to address our concerns directly.”

Anheuser-Busch also agreed to pay $200,000 to the states that investigated the brewer’s practices. In addition to New York, those states include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, and Ohio.

Cuomo said the states continue to investigate other companies selling alcoholic energy drinks.