Bud Light, one of the world’s most popular beer brands, is currently facing boycotts from both conservatives and now members of the LGBTQ+ community. The controversy arose after the brand partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who is the creator of the “Days of Girlhood” series on TikTok.
Conservative beer drinkers took to social media to express their displeasure at Bud Light’s association with Mulvaney, sparking a backlash against the brand. According to reports, the brand has lost 21% by volume as of April 15, with sales down 26% from the previous year.
That prompted Anheiser-Busch executives to place their Marketing VP on leave, separated from the third-party marketing contractor and issued a half-hearted apology.
Bud Light CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a milquetoast statement:
We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer. My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another.
Now, some members of the LGBTQ+ community have accused Bud Light of not supporting Mulvaney enough. The 2Bears Tavern Group, which owns four LGBTQ+ establishments in Chicago, has announced that all of its bars will discontinue Anheuser-Busch InBev products, including Bud Light, in protest against the brewer’s “anti-transgender actions and statements.”
“In view of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s abandonment of its support of transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, the subsequent reprehensible and divisive comments by its CEO … 2Bears Tavern Group is discontinuing all Anheuser-Busch InBev products including Busch Light, Bud Light, and Goose Island 312,” the 2Bears Tavern Group wrote in a statement.
After Anheuser-Busch dropped the agency responsible for the partnership with Mulvaney, the company tried to reassure distributors.
The New York Post wrote, “Anheuser-Busch also sent a letter to jittery distributors telling them it had cut ties with the firm responsible for the concept that has led to Bud Light sales cratering since Mulvaney last month posted a video on TikTok touting the best-selling beer in the country, multiple sources said.”
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
