We all remember the news last summer of Sparks removing caffeine from its alcoholic beverages. At that time, nobody thought there would be any impacts on the craft brewing world; however, the FDA is ready for another round with caffeinated, alcoholic beverages.

On Nov. 13, the FDA sent a letter to 30 manufacturers warning that “there are no food additive regulations that permit the addition of caffeine at any level in alcoholic beverages.” The agency has given the companies a month to present scientific evidence that the combination of alcohol and caffeine is safe. The FDA was prompted in part by complaints from the attorneys general of 18 states that such high-octane energy drinks can be addictive and can create wide-awake drunks who are unable to judge their level of impairment and are therefore prone to engage in risky behaviors such as driving under the influence.

While most of the drinks targeted by the FDA were caffeinated spirits and malt beverages, a few breweries also received letters, including Founders Brewery and the Ithaca Beer Company.

Charlie Papazian, president of the Boulder, Colo.-based Brewers Association, speculated that the FDA’s complaint against Ithaca Beer was “inadvertent.” “They seem to be going after products that have pure caffeine added,” he said, but “brewers should be concerned. This could lead the FDA to question beverages that get their caffeine from natural products like coffee, chocolate or tea. Who’s to say where this will end?”

Although the allegations seems more serious that Mr. Papazian suspects they actually are, it does raise some questions for the craft brewing community. Craft brewers have embraced the idea of coffee stouts and coffee porters, there is even a coffee flavored beer category at the Great American Beer Festival. Check at the full article at the Washington Post.