Reuters reported Oct. 19 that Anheuser-Busch said it was canceling its Bud Pong competitions in bars after reports that players were drinking beer as part of the game instead of water, as stated in the official rules. The game involves bouncing a ping-pong ball into a glass of liquid.

"It has come to our attention that despite our explicit guidelines, there may have been instances where this promotion was not carried out in the manner it was intended," the company said in a press statement. Added Anheuser-Busch spokesperson Francine Katz: "As a company that has invested more than $500 million to promote responsible consumption among adults and to discourage abuse, we believe it is important that our intentions with Bud Pong not be misperceived."

Mothers Against Drunk Driving CEO Chuck Hurley said that the company's "withdrawal of the Bud Pong promotion would be more impressive if it hadn't followed the bad press they received for this irresponsible marketing promotion."

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