Some Americans say Bud Light controversy 'will blow over eventually,' while others think the brand 'cannot redeem itself'
NASHVILLE – People on Broadway weighed in on whether America’s once-most popular beer can reclaim its place in peoples’ hearts, minds and hands.
"I definitely will not drink it," Carmen told Fox News. "If that was the only beer to drink, I wouldn't drink it."
However, Adam said he "absolutely" thinks Americans will eventually put Bud Light’s ongoing scandal in the rearview mirror.
"People have gotten over far bigger things that had much further reaching implications that impacted their daily life than whether or not Bud Light had a rainbow-colored can," he said. "They'll be fine."
AMERICANS PREDICT FUTURE FOR BUD LIGHT BRAND:
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Bud Light sales have plummeted since the beer maker partnered with Dylan Mulvaney in April to celebrate the transgender influencer's "365 Days of Girlhood." The move spurred nationwide boycotts that are hitting the wallets of retailers, distributors, bars and contracted companies.
In the 12-week period leading up to July 2, Bud Light’s sales volume fell by 27.1%, data from Evercore ISI show. Bud Light dropped from the ninth most popular beer last year to 15th, falling behind brands like Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller, Miller High Life and Coors, according to a July YouGov survey.
"You do you, but don't shove it down my throat," Nancy told Fox News. "They just made a mistake. It’ll blow over eventually, but it's going to take a while."
However, Rose said she supported Bud Light’s decision to partner with Mulvaney.
"I think anything that is going to show representation for a group of people, I don't think there's anything wrong with that," she said.
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Rose supports Bud Light's decision to partner with Mulvaney, saying there's nothing wrong with the brand doing something "that is going to show representation for a group of people." (Teny Sahakian/Fox News Digital)
Jane told Fox News the brand "cannot redeem itself."
"They dug their own hole," she said. "A lot of people are upset about it and [are] not buying anything Anheuser-Busch, and that's okay. I think we have that right."
Fallout from the partnership spilled over into other Anheuser-Busch products, which are also suffering sales declines. Budweiser’s sales volume dipped by 13.5% and Busch Light’s declined by 9.8% between April 2 and July 2, Evercore ISI data show. Collectively, Anheuser-Busch InBev beer sales were down 15.4% over the same period.
"I think it'll blow over in time, but it definitely hurt Budweiser," Darren said.
Despite disagreeing with the brand’s decision, Patty said her husband remains a Bud Light loyalist.
"He absolutely will still drink Bud Light. He doesn't care who's on the can," she said.
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Anheuser-Busch has tried distancing itself from the controversy since the public backlash began. CEO Brendan Whitworth, said in an April 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."
But during an appearance on "CBS Mornings" last month, Whitworth declined to say if he would, in hindsight, allow the partnership to happen again.
Former Anheuser-Busch President of Operations Anson Frericks in recent weeks has repeatedly said Whitworth should be replaced for his poor response to the controversy.
"Whitworth has clearly shown himself to be incapable of solving the Mulvaney crisis," Frericks wrote in an op-ed published in the Daily Mail earlier this month. "It's time he did the right thing and stepped aside to make way for someone capable of righting the sinking Bud Light ship."
Anheuser-Busch's former president of operations, Anson Frericks, said CEO Brendan Whitworth should be replaced for his response to the Mulvaney controversy. (LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/BELGA MAG/AFP/Instagram)
Patty said she didn’t know if removing the CEO is the correct remedy for the brand.
"He has the right to do what he wants to do, and people have the right to drink it or not to drink it," she said.
Carmen told Fox News replacing Whitworth would be too "extreme," even though she disagrees with his actions.
"Maybe he could redeem himself by changing things," she said.
Teny Sahakian is an Associate Producer/Writer for Fox News. Follow Teny on Twitter at @tenysahakian.
