New Budweiser Branding Asks You to Drink America (Great Again!)

May 11, 2016 by Latest, News

“Drink America Great Again!”

Here at Drink American, we've been asking you to eschew big brew ever since Anheuser-Busch was sold to Belgian brewer InBev in a deal that set the stage to create the world's largest brewery. Now, Anheuser-Busch is asking you to drink America.

According to the press release they are replacing the word “Budweiser” with “America” on the front of the late 2015 label revision of their 12-ounce cans and bottles and modifying it to “add copy that is central to American history.” This includes phrases from the Pledge of Allegiance, lyrics from “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” They even threw in “Land of the Free,” “Liberty & Justice For All,” and “E Pluribus Unum” in case you missed any of the other patriotic platitudes we all love.

This is called the “America is in Your Hands” campaign.

Interestingly, in 2008 after being boisterous about their American heritage and history prior to a takeover offer, the Anheuser-Busch board of directors did not seem to care that the livelihood of American brewers and workers that were actually in their hands and would be laid off; nor did they seem to care that this iconic American company would be owned by foreign interests.

Since that time, I have had countless discussions at parties, bars and barbecues over the “America-ness” of Budweiser beer. I think the overall opinion is typically “that sucks,” then they suck down another Bud. It's easy to make a dent in a Budweiser can, but hard to make a dent in a beer drinker's drinking routine.

Every year, the Belgian-owned Budweiser paints it's cans redder, whiter and bluer to be patriotic during our crazy, lazy lawnmower beer days of summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This year, they are keeping the “America” cans and bottles on the shelves through the November presidential elections… and it's politically clear why.

This year they are trying to make Budweiser great again.

Are they unsubtly aligning themselves with America the beautiful, American currency and–drumpf roll please–Donald Trump! With the success of the Bud Light Party–a political campaign-based ad campaign, why not set up a subconscious connection between Budweiser and Trump? Maybe they are thinking that much like the Teflon Don, anything dumb they say or do will slide off them and be forgotten by you. And they both will continue to make money whether you like them or not.

The true point I'm trying to make–I suppose–is that you can just print “America” on your beer after you screwed loyal American workers (and drinkers) by selling out. Anheuser-Busch had a long haul as an American icon, but that time has come and gone. They are now part of a huuge international corporation that is simply printing America on their beer can. It may be patriotic, but it's also pathetic.

This is a tough one. I want to hold America in my hand and recite the Star Spangled Banner aloud… reading the label about the ramparts we watched, but not when it's in the marketing campaign of an expat beer.

There is a subset of us that are going out of our way to find interesting, new, local, independent craft beers and enjoy them more (heck, I even started brewing at home!). Before picking up a six-pack, think twice about the fact that AB InBev of Belgium is capitalizing on the patriotic American themes that bind us together.

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Shannon
8 years ago

Thanks for this article, I have long thought their advertising misleading at best and at worst? Well, despicable. Would you please redo your ‘two six-packs of truly American beers’ post for this year’s patriotic holidays? Thanks! I really enjoy your site.

Robert
Robert
8 years ago

Hey, can you put together another list of true American beer in spirit of the 4th?

Will Willows
Will Willows
6 years ago

False patriots all. When the product sucks, wrap it in the good old Stars and Stripes. Do these companies pay per use for the American Flag in their ads? Before everyone goes crazy, JOKE. Still true about using the S&S to sell bad product.

TOM Pastian
TOM Pastian
5 years ago

I have not seen these patriotic cans in stores. What I heard today is that Bud Light is going to make rainbow bottles or cans to celebrate gay pride. For that reason I plan to never buy any Budwiser brands from now on. That’s why I searched for your site, to see what beers are sold by Anheuser Busch. I will be sending them an email with a link to your site to inform them I will no longer buy their beers. As far as I can tell, Miller is not owned by Anheuser Busch.

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago

Not only I want my beer to be made in the USA but I want it American owned, non WOKE and anti covid19 propaganda.

Nancy
Nancy
1 year ago
Reply to  Andrew

Never will drink any beer that puts a trans on MY CAN.
I’m a female, proud to be one and I wish You all would stop the woke crap. You think it makes for better sales with the gay group, great. I’m not interested!
GO WOKE GO BROKE

James Dauphinais
James Dauphinais
1 year ago

I was a life long Bud drinker. But after you choosed your new spokesperson. I can no longer support your products. AB has turned their backs on their core drinkers.

Mch
Mch
1 year ago

Budweiser is not more American beer. Only for lgbtq . Really sad to changed brand. Changed to Heineken. NO MORE BUD, IM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT THIS POLITIC AND OFFENSIVE MARKETING TRANS.🤬

Jay
Jay
1 year ago

Greetings from Canada.
The woke agenda is well rooted in Canada as well . Lets make the boycott international.

Douglass
Douglass
1 year ago

LOL RWNJ destroyed you. Thanks for letting the world know that AB supports Republicans, good riddance.

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