Country star John Rich, half of the duo Big and Rich and the owner of one of Nashville’s most iconic bars, the Redneck Riviera, has some words of wisdom for Bud Light: it’s too late to fix the mess you made.
The beer giant’s recent attempt to save face after a controversial partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has left many loyal customers feeling betrayed. The backlash from their “woke” campaign has been swift, as the company has faced criticism for shifting away from its blue-collar image.
In response, Anheuser-Busch released a letter from their CEO, which stopped short of offering an actual apology, and an ultra-patriotic ad featuring American landmarks. However, Rich, in a recent interview with Fox News, expressed his doubts that this move would be enough to win back the public’s trust.
“We literally can’t go anywhere without something divisive or political being thrown into our face,” he said. “And I think when they went after the beer can, something that people have loved for decades… You know, Bud Light, Coors Light, that’s kind of like Ford and Chevy.”
While the cans featuring Mulvaney’s image were not intended for general consumption, the campaign still left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. Rich noted that as a bar owner, he sees the effects firsthand. Customers are avoiding Bud Light, and he has no intention of stocking it.
As Rich points out, the damage may be irreparable. People have simply had enough of divisive topics invading every aspect of their lives, even when it comes to their downtime with a cold beer in hand.
Despite Anheuser-Busch’s efforts to mend its tarnished image, the lesson is clear: sometimes, it’s better to focus on brewing great beer and avoid mixing politics with pleasure.
