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.

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.