Bud Light No Longer Top-Selling US Beer After Dylan Mulvaney Controversy
Summary from the AllSides News Team
For the first time since 2001, Bud Light is no longer the top-selling beer in the United States.
The Details: Modelo Especial represented 8.4% of U.S. retail beer sales in the four weeks ended June 3, compared with 7.3% for Bud Light. The brand's sales were down about 24% in the week ended June 3 compared to the same week last year. Bud Light's total U.S. sales over the first five months of the year are still higher than any other beer.
For Context: Bud Light held a 10% share of retail sales on March 25, the week before it sent transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney a custom Bud Light can with their face on it. The marketing effort fueled criticisms from the political right. Industry analysts say Mexican beers like Modelo were already cutting into Bud Light's market share, but the controversy may have sped up the trend.
How the Media Covered it: Some right-rated sources framed the news as a rightful consequence for Bud Light's purported political pandering. Some left- and center-rated sources highlighted context about Mexican beer sales rising before the Mulvaney controversy. CNN Business (Lean Left bias) attributed Bud Light's slump to "right-wing media’s barrage of negative headlines following its partnership with Mulvaney." National Review (Right) called the boycotts a result of the brand's "decision to wade into radical political waters by partnering with" Mulvaney. Wall Street Journal (Center) called the data an "ominous sign for Bud Light distributors."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Bud Light loses its title as America’s top-selling beer
America’s top-selling beer is no longer American.
Modelo Especial, the Mexican lager brewed near Mexico City by Constellation Brands, became the top-selling beer in May, overthrowing Bud Light from the top spot it has held for more than two decades. The fall from the top further highlighted how much trouble the Anheuser-Busch brand is in following transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s Instagram post showing off a customized Bud Light can.
For four weeks ending on June 3, Modelo captured 8.4% of US retail beer sales, with Bud Light falling to second place with 7.3%,...
From the Center
Bud Light Loses Title as Top-Selling U.S. Beer
Bud Light no longer rules the American beer market.
Modelo Especial overtook the brand as the top-selling U.S. beer in May, punctuating a monthslong boycott of Bud Light that has reshuffled the beer industry.
Modelo represented 8.4% of U.S. retail-store beer sales in the four weeks ended June 3, compared with 7.3% for Bud Light, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by consulting firm Bump Williams.
Bud Light’s sales have tanked since April, when transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney posted an image on Instagram of a personalized Bud Light can that the...
From the Right
Bud Light Dethroned as Top-Selling Beer in U.S.: ‘Our Year Is Screwed’
Bud Light no longer holds the title as America’s most popular beer amid ongoing boycotts against the brand over its decision to wade into radical political waters by partnering with a transgender influencer.
Modelo Especial replaced Bud Light as the top-selling beer in May. Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev owns Modelo in most international locations except the U.S., where it’s owned by the New York-based Constellation Brands.
Over the four weeks ending June 3, Modelo accounted for 8.4 percent of U.S. retail-store beer sales while Bud Light’s share slipped to...
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