Watered-down beer?

Beer lovers across the country have filed $5 million class action lawsuits accusing Anheuser-Busch InBev of watering down Budweiser, Michelob and other brands.

The suits were filed in Pennsylvania, California and other states on behalf of consumers allegedly cheated out of the beverage’s stated alcohol content. Budweiser and Michelob each boast being 5 percent alcohol, while some “light” versions are said to be just over 4 percent.

Lead lawyer Josh Boxer of San Francisco said the suits are based on information from former employees at some of the company’s 13 U.S. breweries. Boxer said water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by 3 to 8 percent.

Anheuser-Busch InBev calls the claims groundless and says its beers fully comply with labeling laws.

GM disputes CEO pay report

General Motors denied reports that it asked for a $2.1 million pay increase for CEO Dan Akerson, accusing someone of leaking inaccurate information to “score political points” in Washington.

The automaker rebutted documents provided to a House committee that listed the company’s proposed 2013 compensation for its 25 highest-paid executives.

GM said the reports that it wanted Akerson’s total compensation to increase from $9 million in 2012 to $11.1 million in 2013 were “false.”

“In fact, Dan specifically asked to keep his compensation at the same level for 2013 as it was in 2012 and 2011,” GM said in a statement. “That amount of $9 million is what the company submitted to the Office of the Special Master for TARP Executive Compensation.”