Bud Light in one chart: A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year
Bud Light, which was the most popular beer in the US less than two years ago, now sits in third place.
The American beer brand took a big hit in April 2023, after it partnered with a transgender social media influencer, Dylan Mulvaney. Conservative consumers launched a boycott that pushed its market share below Modelo Especial (a Mexican beer licensed in the US by Constellation Brands) in just a few months.
As of this summer, Bud Light has also fallen behind its sister brand Michelob Ultra, according to Nielsen IQ market data analyzed by the consulting firm Bump Williams. Both beers are owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev.
While the boycott may have pushed Bud Light over the edge, consumer trends were already trending away from domestic brews.
Americans are also generally drinking less beer than they used to, and are increasingly preferring lighter brews and imports. In May, the US imported more than 125.3 million barrels of beer, up 9% from last year, according to US Department of Commerce data compiled by the Brewers Association.
While the boycott may have pushed Bud Light over the edge, consumer trends were already trending away from domestic brews.
Americans are also generally drinking less beer than they used to, and are increasingly preferring lighter brews and imports. In May, the US imported more than 125.3 million barrels of beer, up 9% from last year, according to US Department of Commerce data compiled by the Brewers Association.
