Anheuser-Busch to refund Americans who mistakenly thought Kirin beer was brewed in Japan

Beer drinkers who had mistaken the words "imported" and "Japan's prime brew" on the Kirin Ichiban label to mean that the beer was actually imported from Japan may now be entitled to receive a refund of up to $50 from the beer manufacturer.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC settled a class action lawsuit, Jan. 5, after two Miami residents accused the company of deceiving consumers into thinking that Kirin beer is still imported from Japan, when it actually has been brewed by the company in the United States since 1996.

Those who purchased Kirin Ichiban in the U.S. between October 25, 2009 to December 17, 2014 are included in the settlement to receive $0.50 for each six pack of 12 oz. bottles or cans, $1.00 for each twelve pack of 12 oz. bottles or cans, or $0.10 for each individual bottle or cans.

Those who can provide proof of purchase can receive up to $50 reimbursement, but those without receipts may still receive up to $12. All claims for the lawsuit must be postmarked, or submitted electronically, by June 15, 2015. If you are eligible, you may make your claim here.

While Kirin Ichiban is a Japanese beer, all Kirin beers sold in the U.S. since 1996 are produced locally by Anheuser-Busch under a license from Japanese beverage company Kirin Company, Limited. Since 2006, Anheuser-Busch also took over marketing the brand.

"The six-pack cases do not indicate that the beer is made in the United States, but depict a dragon-like Kirin creature from Japanese myth next to Japanese characters," the complaint said.

Only on the actual Kirin bottle, itself, is the true American origin stated. In small print, on the back of a bottle, it says "Brewed under Kirin's strict supervision by Anheuser-Busch, in Los Angeles, CA and Williamsburg, VA."

The plaintiffs argued that this disclosure is inadequate because it is not visible to customers unless the bottle is removed from the six-pack holder, and that reasonable consumers would not do so until after they have purchased the beer.

The Anheuser-Busch website also claims that "Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light are imported Japanese-style pilsners," according to the complaint.

The lawsuit alleged that by implying that a beer is imported from overseas customers are lead to believe that the beer was brewed using centuries-old practices and higher quality ingredients. The lawsuit continued to assert that the confusion also falls to retailers and bars, who typically charge more for the beer on these assumptions.

"As a result of these unfair and deceptive practices, the defendant has collected millions of dollars from the sale of Kirin beer that it would not have otherwise earned," said the lawsuit. "Plaintiffs paid money for a product that is not what it claims to be or what they bargained for."

Florida Judge John Thornton granted preliminary approval Dec. 17 to a settlement that will allow those who purchased Kirin beer, under the assumption that it was imported, to be reimbursed up to $50 per household.

As part of the settlement, Anheuser-Busch has agreed to refrain from describing the beer as imported, and to include the same, self-identifying phrase already listed on the bottle to all front-facing packaging, according to the deal.

In the settlement, Anheuser-Busch denied the plaintiffs' claims and charges, or that it violated any laws. The brewer continues to believe that its labeling, packaging, and marketing of Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light "have always been truthful and not deceptive."

Coincidentally, Anheuser-Busch has faced similar complains over its Beck's brand, which is also no longer imported.

ABC has reached out to Anheuser-Busch for comment.