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Miller goes for more caffeine

Miller Brewing Co., which already brews the Sparks and Steel Reserve brands, now owns the caffeinated beverage brands themselves. SABMiller has bought them from McKenzie River Corp. for $215 million cash. Miller has been brewing both of those brands, which comprise the majority of McKenzie River products, for years.

“We anticipate that category to grow for many years,” Marino said. “We feel very positive about this deal because it gives us two strong, growing brands,” spokeman Pete Marino said.

Miller launched its own caffeinated beverage, Mickey’s Stinger, in California, Nevada and Arizona in late May, Marino said. He said he’s heard the introduction has done well but it’s still too early to tell whether the beverage will be sold beyond those markets.

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UK brewer makes push in Denver

Tit for tat.

If Americans are going to promote their beer in the UK, then a London brewer might as well do the same in the United States.

The Rocky Mountain News reports that Fuller’s is spending more than $100,000 on radio ads and Web-based promotions here.

According to the Brewers Association, craft beer commands a 10% market share in Colorado, putting the state No. 3 in market share nationwide.

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If it’s good enough for the British . . .

Interesting psychology. If the British (or Germans or Swedish) are craving American craft beer, does that mean you should too?

The Denver Post investigates growth both home and abroad, focusing on Colorado beers.

And Left Hand Brewing co-founder Eric Wallace explains why he is courting overseas buyers:

“If we can get a reflection of ‘this beer is so good that they’re drinking it across the pond now,’ that reflects very well on American beers, and it helps what is now an accelerating growth curve in the states.”