A gay bar in Minneapolis has removed all Anheuser-Busch products and slammed the brand for how it handled the massive backlash to its marketing stunt with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
The Saloon, which claims to be the city’s longest-running gay bar, said it will replace the products with beers from local breweries.
“Anheuser-Busch had an opportunity to support a marginalized community in a way that few other corporations have attempted, but they abandoned that direction,” said the bar’s owner John Moore in a statement.
“We view that as unacceptable.”
“We will continue to pursue avenues to keep our money local and community-based while we remain one of the best parties in Minneapolis and a place where our queer community can come together to celebrate our existence,” said The Saloon’s general manager Robby Palmer.
Anheuser-Busch has lost $27 billion in value since the campaign.
The CEO of the embattled company just issued a letter to its customers that obviously fell flat.
CEO Brendan Whitworth wrote: “We are a beer company, and beer is for everyone.
“Today, we are announcing three important actions as we continue to move our business forward.
“First, we are investing to protect the jobs of our frontline employees.
“Second, we are providing financial assistance to our independent wholesalers to help them support their employees.
“Third, to all our valued consumers, we hear you.
“Our summer advertising launches next week, and you can look forward to Bud Light reinforcing what you’ve always loved about our brand – that it’s easy to drink and easy to enjoy.
“As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best – brewing great beer and earning our place in moments that matter to you.
“Here’s to a future with more cheers.”
Minneapolis gay bar The Saloon is dropping Bud Light in response to the Dylan Mulvaney controversy https://t.co/86MLsYgIwC pic.twitter.com/5Hnf1I0EYx
— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) June 20, 2023
“One of Minneapolis’ most well-known gay bars says it will stop serving Anheuser-Busch beers after the company walked back a marketing campaign featuring a trans spokesperson.”
Attempting to straddle the road gets you run over from both directions. 🤦♂️https://t.co/c6SY894TUf
— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) June 19, 2023
In place of those products, The Saloon says it will feature beers from local breweries Modist Brewing Co. and Bauhaus Brew Labs. https://t.co/bIP5Lu0i9K
— KSTP (@KSTP) June 19, 2023
According to Axios:
Axios has learned that Whitworth plans to go on the road around the U.S. this summer to listen to consumers, in connection with Budweiser’s MLB sponsorship.
The company’s summer ad campaign, which begins next week, will portray Bud Light as “easy to drink and easy to enjoy,” he added in the statement Thursday.
By the numbers: Sales of Bud Light, a new top target in the culture wars, are off as much as 25%.
After the right savaged Bud Light for its relationship with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, sales dropped so sharply that data out this week shows Mexican lager Modelo replacing Bud Light as America’s best-selling beer.
READ MORE: Garth Brooks Caves after Backlash to Calling Anti-Bud Light Consumers ‘A**holes’
