Anheuser-Busch Distributors Say Brand Is Facing Unprecedented Backlash

Anheuser-Busch distributors in the heartland of America are feeling apprehensive due to a significant public backlash against Bud Light’s recent campaign endorsing transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.

Dylan Mulvaney became the spokesperson for Bud Light this month after the beer company sent the trans activist a box of beer with a portrait of their face on it to celebrate “365 of womanhood.”

In the ad, Dylan Mulvaney said, “This month I celebrated my day 365 of womanhood and Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift ever — A can with my face on it!”

Unfortunately, Bud Light’s rebranding efforts resulted in both distributors and customers dropping Anheuser-Busch products entirely.

According to an industry insider from Beer Business Daily, distributors in more rural locations in the heartland and the South have become spooked and worried about their associations with the beer company. “We reached out to a handful of A-B [Anheuser-Busch] distributors who were spooked, most particularly in the Heartland and the South, and even then in their more rural areas,” the insider said.

An executive at Anheuser-Busch defended the partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, explaining that the company works with hundreds of influencers across its brands to connect with audiences authentically. “From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans,” the executive added. The Marketing VP for Bud Light admitted that the beer company’s humor was “out of touch” and needed to be modernized with inclusivity.

Bud Light has not made any posts on social media since facing backlash from their new marketing campaign. Its Instagram account has not posted since March 30, its Twitter account has not posted since April 1, and it has not posted on Facebook since last month.

READ: GO WOKE, GO BROKE: Liquor Store Pulls Bud Light from Shelves after Dylan Mulvaney Endorsement