Anheuser-Busch InBev

The sales declines of Bud Light amid a conservative-led boycott led to double-digit declines in revenue, shipments and depletions in the U.S. during the second quarter for Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B).

Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) announced a corporate restructuring today that will see the world’s largest beer manufacturer cut just under 2% of its U.S. workforce, an A-B spokesperson confirmed with Brewbound.

Total bev-alc sales in off-premise channels (multi-outlet plus convenience) declined -4% week-over-week (WoW) in the week ending July 9, which included the July 4 holiday, according to Circana analyst Scott Scanlon.

Convenience store retailers had a “slightly more pessimistic outlook” for beer trends in Goldman Sachs’ Q2 Beverage Bytes survey, citing “broader economic pressures/fears of recession, impacts from cooler weather” and the continued “negative impacts from the recent Bud Light controversy.”

The Beer Institute’s (BI) Code Compliance Review Board (CCRB) has found that Bud Light’s sponsored content with influencer Dylan Mulvaney did not violate the trade group’s Advertising Marketing Code and Buying Guidelines.

Anheuser-Busch U.S. (A-B) CEO Brendan Whitworth made his first major media appearance this morning since the conservative-led boycott of Bud Light began two months ago, appearing on CBS’ morning show.

Off-premise beer category dollar sales are up +0.7%, while volume sales have declined -4.1% for the four-week period ending June 17, according to market research firm NIQ. Also, the off-premise declines of Bud Light accelerated compared to previous weeks.

As the Bud Light brand continues to lose sales and share amid conservative-led backlash over a one-off social media influencer partnership with a transgender woman, the company is now pledging financial support for its wholesaler partners, according to a 6K filing with the SEC.

A pair of beer distributor surveys found that many in the middle tier believe that the conservative led boycott of Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light brand may be permanent. Financial services firm Jefferies’ survey found that a majority (65%) of distributors surveyed expect the Bud Light downturn to last at least another six months, while 32% believe it could be permanent. A separate distributor survey by Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog found that most respondents are “pessimistic about the potential for a full recovery” of Bud Light’s “brand equity and market share.”

Production at craft breweries falling outside of the Brewers Association’s (BA) craft brewer definition collectively declined -4% on a comparable basis, to more than 8.68 million barrels in 2022, according to data shared by the trade group in the May/June edition of the New Brewer Magazine.

After its request for a conversation with Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) leadership last month went unanswered, the Human Right Campaign (HRC) has suspended the perfect 100 score it gave A-B on its 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which will prohibit the company from using the organization’s designation as one of the “Best Places to Work.”

Alec Mull is returning to Bell’s Brewery as general manager of the Comstock, Michigan craft brewery’s 600,000 barrel facility. Mull will work with Bell’s executive leadership team to oversee the daily operations of the facility and craft new beers to add to the brewery’s portfolio, the company announced today.

A month and a half after conservative outrage directed at Bud Light began, right wing social media has turned its attention to Miller Lite after a months-old commercial for the brand resurfaced.

Kona Big Wave, the premium island-style beer known for its refreshing taste, is encouraging fans to “Bring the Aloha” with a campaign celebrating the brand’s relaunch that features a brand-new logo, refreshed packaging design and four new commercials – all centered around a new brand world firmly rooted in Hawaii’s powerful aloha spirit.