Bud Light Controversy: From Boycotts to Forgiveness, An Impactful Saga

When Kid Rock shared a video on social media where he destroyed cases of Bud Light, he criticized the brand for partnering with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Although it was a relatively minor collaboration, with the beer company sending Mulvaney cans featuring her face to commemorate her first year living as a woman, the fallout was immense. Right-wing beer enthusiasts began boycotting Bud Light in protest of Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) working with Mulvaney to connect with the LGBTQ+ community.

The backlash revealed significant opposition among Bud Light drinkers to the brand’s association with a transgender woman, resulting in a substantial 26% decline in sales and the loss of its position as the world’s best-selling beer.

The boycott extended into the country music sphere, with stars like John Rich of Big & Rich and Travis Tritt swiftly banning Bud Light from their tour riders and Nashville establishments.

However, not all country music figures supported the boycott. Jason Isbell and Zach Bryan publicly defended Bud Light, while singer Garth Brooks took a bold stance. He declared that his soon-to-open Nashville bar, Friends In Low Places Bar and Honky Tonk, would not only serve Bud Light but would also be a welcoming space for transgender patrons.

In an interview with Billboard Executive Editor Melinda Newman at Billboard Country Live in Nashville on May 7, Brooks emphasized the inclusive atmosphere of his establishment, stating, “And yes, we’re going to serve every brand of beer. We just are. It’s not our decision to make. Our thing is this, if you [are let] into this house, love one another. If you’re an a**hole, there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway.”

Kid Rock Forgives, Right-Wing Figures Drop Boycott

During the peak of the Bud Light controversy, Garth Brooks made his stance clear. Meanwhile, Kid Rock, who appeared to continue consuming the beer publicly, ultimately forgave the brand. His forgiveness coincided with Bud Light becoming the largest sponsor for the UFC.

Several prominent right-wing figures, including former President Donald Trump, also ended their boycotts. Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the brand led by Trump supporter Dana White, who has voiced concerns about transgender women in sports, seemed to play a role in their decision to resume supporting Bud Light.

Bud Light Boycott Continues to Impact Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Revenues

Anheuser-Busch InBev Faces Continued Decline Due to Bud Light Boycott

During the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Chief Executive Michel Doukeris revealed a 9.5% decline in revenues and a 12.7% decrease in volumes, largely attributed to the ongoing boycott of Bud Light.

Doukeris acknowledged the challenging year for the business in the U.S., noting a gradual improvement in market share from May through February. Despite the setbacks, he expressed confidence in Bud Light’s potential for recovery.

“We are making progress, albeit not as swiftly as anticipated. Nonetheless, progress is underway,” Doukeris affirmed.