The Buzz over Alcoholic Energy Drinks Some Lawmakers Pushing for Stricter Labeling Requirements on Specialized Beverages

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Byline: Amber Krosel

akrosel@@dailyherald.com

SPRINGFIELD - At first glance, it looks like a Web site with doodles straight from a teenager's notebook.

The design is reminiscent of "Napoleon Dynamite," with bright colors, lined-paper shapes and even a section about air guitars.

But it's not just another MySpace page. It's an advertising technique being used by Miller Brewing Co. for its alcoholic energy drink Sparks, which contains 6 to 7 percent alcohol, more than most beers.

Now, the product and the marketing behind it are being called into question by Illinois lawmakers.

Lawmakers are advancing proposals that would create stricter labeling requirements for such drinks, which often bear a striking resemblance to their non-alcoholic …