At first glance, it's tough to tell apart alcoholic, no-alcoholic energy drinks

Breweries have latched onto the energy buzz, creating alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks alike. But it's the alcoholic energy drinks, like Budweiser's "Bud Extra," also marketed as "B-to-the-E," that has some store owners, like Richard Porter, concerned.

"It should be packaged differently," said Mr. Porter, who thinks the bright, sporty packaging of the alcoholic energy drinks appeals to teenagers just as the non-alcoholic energy drinks are meant to. "I also don't think it should be sold in a single can. You could easily grab one, thinking it's a regular energy drink and then drink it while you're driving."

Mr. Porter, owner of Porter's Village Rx, said he wasn't aware his store stocked the alcoholic versions of the popular beverages until his stock manager, Howard Mason, brought the latest drink, Anheuser-Busch's "Tilt," with 8 percent alcohol, to his attention.

"I wanted him and the cashiers to know what it was, because by looking at it you'd never know it was an alcoholic drink unless you happened to look close enough to see the '8 percent,'" said Mr. Mason. "If a cashier was in a hurry, they might not realize what they're selling and sell it to a minor."

The silver, 16 ounce can has a large, bright green "T" splashed cross the can and the words "8.0 %" visible, though not prominent.

"A kid could easily come in here working undercover with the police too, to see if we sell to minors," added Mr. Porter. "If the cashier doesn't know any better than they could get fined and I would be closed for a day."

After seeing Tilt's packaging Mr. Porter decided to pull the product and is considering pulling the rest of the alcoholic energy drinks, including Steel Brewing Company's "Sparks" drink with 6 percent alcohol. In addition to the packaging, Mr. Porter said many people aren't aware of the health dangers in mixing energy drinks and alcohol.

"I was in Champaign visiting my kids and the bartenders cut you off after two Red Bulls and vodkas," he said, explaining that the alcohol is a downer while the caffeine in the drinks is an upper. "It can be hard on your heart, but someone who doesn't know that could easily drink two or three of these, and as a pharmacist, I don't want to be selling it."

Mr. Porter admitted he also sells cigarettes, which are bad for health, but added that the cigarette packaging was clear-cut and could not be mistakenly sold or consumed as another product.

A representative from Stern Beverage, a Budweiser distributor in Milan, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Energy drinks have become a $1.1 billion business, with the boon of the business occurring between 2000 and 2005, according to MarketResearch.com