Budweiser tents practically empty at crowded Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Videos
Those who flocked to Sturgis, South Dakota, for the annual motorcycle rally this year steered clear of the Budweiser tents, video evidence suggests.
The 83rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is currently in full swing, with tens of thousands of bikers and other enthusiasts from all over the world gathering to show off their ride, honor members of the U.S. military, and otherwise enjoy a slice of good, old-fashioned, gas-powered Americana.
Though attendance seems to be down slightly this year compared to the five-year average, Sturgis, a town of about 7,000 residents, is still bustling with more than 250,000 vehicles counted between last Friday, when the event opened, and Tuesday. The event lasts until this Sunday.
The popular rally draws many high-profile corporate sponsors, including Budweiser. This year, Budweiser made a big show of its enthusiasm for the rally and its attendees. Not only are banners emblazoned with the Budweiser logo spotted throughout Sturgis, but the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale horses helped kick off the rally by headlining the opening ceremonies last Friday.
Despite all those efforts, rally attendees have slaked their thirst elsewhere as the Budweiser tents and booths stand nearly empty in two TikTok videos making their rounds on social media. The videos show a fairly impressive set-up that might be expected for a brand like Budweiser and an official sponsor of the event, offering shade, refreshing beverages, and some official Budweiser merch. But almost no patrons appear to care.
Some on social media are blaming the seemingly poor turnout on lingering frustration with the brand after Bud Light's infamous association with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney. The beer company has never apologized for the blunder and has since lost nearly $30 billion in market value.
"Right now, maybe because of the bad PR, the controversy, people [are] staying away," opines the man behind TikTok account Cycledrag, which has been posting throughout the rally and has over 350,000 followers. It is unclear when the video was recorded, but it was first posted on Tuesday.
At the end of the one-minute video, Cycledrag offers a glimmer of hope for the beer brand, predicting that Budweiser drinkers will return, joking that "political views may be no match for alcoholism in the end."
— (@)
So far, that prediction has not yet come to pass. In a follow-up video taken at "mid week" and posted on Wednesday, the Budweiser area remains so quiet that even Cycledrag struggles to put a positive spin on the situation.
"Oh my goodness. Wow," Cycledrag says as he pans the camera across the desolate Budweiser displays. Proud Budweiser representatives donning patriotic T-shirts try to smile, but even they seem frustrated and perhaps a little embarrassed by the lack of interest from rally participants.
"Sturgis is absolutely jam-packed," Cycledrag notes. "The Harley[-Davidson] tent is packed, the BMW tent is packed, but Budweiser [is] having a tough go."
"There must be a whole lot of beer left over in there," he adds. "I don't know what to say."
@cycledragHere is an upate on the Budweiser tent at Sturgis mid week #budweiser #budlight #dylanmulvaney #sturgis #sturgisrally #motorcyclesoftiktok🏍️ #motorcyclelife #budlightboycott
In reporting on Cycledrag's videos of the Budweiser area, Samantha Chang of the Western Journal suggested that the "response in Sturgis sends an unequivocal message to Bud Light and other 'woke' corporations that using their products to push left-wing propaganda is unacceptable to a large segment of consumers."
Budweiser did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheBlaze.
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I Don’t Want To Boycott ‘The Chosen,’ But The Cast And Crew Are Forcing Me To Walk Away
According to several 'Chosen' actors, tolerance is apparently a one-way street.Clay Travis conducted an experiment in which he gave out free beer at an event. He ended up with a cooler full of Bud Light: 'I'm not a marketing expert, but ...'
Good music outdoors on a hot night may go nicely with a cold beer, unless of course that beer is a Bud Light.
That's what OutKick founder Clay Travis discovered over the weekend when conducting an experiment on whether Nashville music fans would put the Anheuser-Busch controversy behind them and one of the company's signature drinks in hand.
Travis shared videos to Twitter Monday detailing his "weekend experiment," in which he offered passersby free beer at a concert in the Nashville area.
"Pick which beer you want," was the only prompt. Inside the cooler: a variety of beers including Bud Light.
According to Travis, "No one would take the Bud Light all night long. Big issue going forward for Bud Light is many don’t even want to be seen with product. They just pick another brand."
Rather than tacitly absolve Anheuser-Busch for having partnered with transvestic activist Dylan Mulvaney to celebrate his "365 Days of Girlhood," concert-goers reportedly opted for beers such as Yuengling.
TheBlaze previously reported that Yuengling struck a contrast with Bud Light's woke marketing in April with a straightforward ad that featured a picture of Yuengling beer and an American flag with the caption, "Yuengling, The Oldest Brewery In America. Independently Owned and Family Operated since 1829 because we make good beer."
Travis' first video, taken at 6:45 p.m., shows a cooler full of beer. His second video, reportedly taken at 10:15 p.m., shows a cooler emptied of all but Bud Light cans.
"I’m not a marketing expert, but the only beer left at the West Fest ... Bud Light," said Travis. "Not ideal. Not good."
\u201cWeekend experiment. Beers in cooler at Nashville area event. Pick which beer you want. No one would take the Bud Light all night long. Big issue going forward for Bud Light is many don\u2019t even want to be seen with product. They just pick another brand.\u201d— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1683560764
In a follow-up tweet, Travis noted, "Overall consumption of Bud Light is now down 26%. That’s an unmitigated disaster for the brand. And many are now avoiding the beer to avoid being mocked for drinking the beer. There’s no quick fix here, brand is slaughtered in red state beer drinking communities. Bet there is hardly any at SEC tailgates this fall."
The results of Travis' experiment appear to replicate that seen in the wild.
Last week, viral footage taken at Boston's Fenway Park showed that sports fans did their best to avoid at least one Bud Light concession stand.
@luistejadabostonrealtorFenway Park Bud light stand Ghost Town! #budlight #fenwaypark #redsox #massrealestate #realtor #bienesraices #jesuslovesyou #forsalebyowner #sellersagent #jesus
In the video, a bystander can be heard remarking, "Guys, this is so funny and bizarre." As he pans to the customer-less Bud Light stand, he adds, "That is every single Bud Light stand here at Fenway Park in Boston ... holy crap, they're in trouble."
While Bud Light was left in Travis' cooler, Michelob Ultra, another Anheuser-Busch beer, was snatched up. This trend may similarly change, beer industry expert Bump Williams told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"What’s happening now is that anybody that is a Bud Light drinker and switches to Michelob Ultra because they don’t want to be seen holding a Bud Light, someone down the bar is going to say, 'Hey, buddy, that’s an Anheuser-Busch product you’re holding.'"
TheBlaze indicated earlier this month that Bud Light has seen sales plunge 21% compared to the same week in 2022.
Beer Business Daily described the drop as a "shocking deterioration" of Bud Light's market share. "We've never seen such a dramatic shift in national share in such a short period of time," the newsletter said.
The number of beer cases sold has plummeted 26%.
Boycotts appear to have cost the beer's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, roughly $5 billion in losses.
Anhuser-Busch has since blamed a "third party ad agency" for its partnership with Mulaney, telling distributors that it has fired the marketing firm responsible, reported Fox News Digital.
Last week, Anheuser-Busch CEO Michel Doukeris tried to downplay the company's foray into transgender propaganda as constituting "one can, one influencer, one post and not a campaign."
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Bud Light 'Ghost Town' video goes viral: No buyers of embattled beer at Boston's Fenway Park — but big line at stand right next door
A viral Bud Light "Ghost Town" video shows no buyers of the embattled beer at a concession stand in Boston's Fenway Park while a stand right next door boasts a long line.
What are the details?
In the clip, a man can be heard remarking, "Guys, this is so funny and bizarre." As he pans to the customer-less Bud Light stand, he adds, "That is every single Bud Light stand here at Fenway Park in Boston ... holy crap, they're in trouble."
The two workers behind the counter at the Bud Light stand were both seen apparently staring at their cellphones.
@luistejadabostonrealtor Fenway Park Bud light stand Ghost Town! #budlight #fenwaypark #redsox #massrealestate #realtor #bienesraices #jesuslovesyou #forsalebyowner #sellersagent #jesus ♬ Time of the Season - The Zombies
The TikTok clip posted Wednesday has garnered 1.3 million views and nearly 10,000 comments as of Friday morning.
The video appeared to be recorded at the concession area in the bleacher concourse on Yawkey Way during a Red Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to the New York Post.
The Post added that it sought comment from the Red Sox and Fenway Park.
How are folks reacting?
Commenters on the clip weren't shy about sharing their feelings on the matter:
- "Yassss!!!! Keep it up!!! Hold strong!!" one commenter said.
- "Just think if the ppl can do this to Bud Light imagine what we could do against this controlling government," another commenter wrote.
- "No one drinking Bud Light at the college baseball game I attended on Friday night," another commenter shared.
- "This is the language these corporations understand… all you have to do is say no," another commenter noted.
- I'm a bartender in Ohio & my customers who drank only Bud or Bud Light have stopped," another commenter offered. "Even in small ways they are getting their point across."
Anything else?
Things have gone downhill for Bud Light ever since news broke regarding its notorious partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in early April.
Adding fuel the fire was the beer company's vice president Alissa Gordon Heinerscheid stressing the need to get away from Bud Light's "out-of-touch" frat boy image to one of "inclusivity." Heinerscheid soon took a leave of absence. Then her boss followed suit.
Celebs such as Joe Rogan and Kid Rock — along with country singers John Rich, Riley Green, Brantley Gilbert, and Travis Tritt — have pushed back against Bud Light.
Anheuser-Busch's CEO released a damage-control statement that was called out for lack of substance, and the beer giant created a patriotic "Heart of America" advertisement, presumably to fortify its face-saving campaign.
It apparently didn't help, as Bud Light sales fell 21% by volume and 17% by dollars for the week ending April 15. The trend continued through the month.
The latest is that Bud Light is handing out free beer to wholesale distributors.
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Democrats stage Bud Light photo amid backlash against woke beer brand
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California posted a photo of himself and fellow California Democratic Reps. Mark Takano, Judy Chu, and Adam Schiff standing together with bottles of Bud Light beer.
The beer brand became embroiled in controversy because it enlisted Dylan Mulvaney, a man who identifies as a transgender woman, to advertise its product — the move sparked a groundswell of consumer outrage.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a bland statement last week that did not directly address the issue but did say that the company "never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people." When Bud Light tweeted last week for the first time since April 1, the post was majorly ratioed.
\u201chttps://t.co/jpJUgXpNlc\u201d— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1681611879
"Worst party ever," actor Dean Cain tweeted in response to the photo of the lawmakers with Bud Light.
"Barf," New Mexico state Rep. John Block wrote, adding, "nailing the final nail in the coffin for @budlight trash beer."
"Telling me you've never drank @budlight without saying you never drank @budlight," former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tweeted.
"This photo is more damaging to the brand than Dylan Mulvaney in the bathtub," Gerry Callahan tweeted.
"Congratulations Bud Light on completely losing your base," Caleb Hull tweeted.
"Dylan Mulvaney Democrats," Byron York of the Washington Examiner tweeted.
Lieu openly admitted that the photo was staged. "Wait, you actually thought there was a possibility that it was totally coincidental that all four of us chose to have Bud Lights, and have them face the camera, and then send the picture out during the middle of a stupid boycott by MAGA Republicans?" he replied to someone who suggested that it had been staged.
\u201c@lvirish126 Wait, you actually thought there was a possibility that it was totally coincidental that all four of us chose to have Bud Lights, and have them face the camera, and then send the picture out during the middle of a stupid boycott by MAGA Republicans?\u201d— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1681611879
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'Men are men & women are women': Vivek Ramaswamy capitalizes on Bud Light controversy by selling 'BUD RIGHT' koozies
Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and author who announced a presidential bid earlier this year, is capitalizing on the recent Bud Light controversy by selling "BUD RIGHT" koozies — the beer brand has been facing significant backlash for enlisting Dylan Mulvaney, a biological man who identifies as a transgender woman, to advertise the product.
"Get Bud Right: there are *two* genders. Men are men & women are women. Don't apologize for the truth.
Ditch your next @budlight 24-pack. Donate the cost and get His & Her exclusive campaign koozies," Ramaswamy tweeted.
In addition to bearing the words "BUD RIGHT," the koozies also feature Ramaswamy's likeness and the messages "TRUTH OVER RELATIVISM" and "COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS."
\u201cGet yours: https://t.co/G6OLugDdV1\u201d— Vivek Ramaswamy (@Vivek Ramaswamy) 1681238383
Nike recently earned the ire of many consumers by having Mulvaney promote a sports bra and leggings.
Ramaswamy has suggested that Mulvaney is in need of "mental health care."
"One of the goals of my candidacy for president of the United States is to close the gap between what people are willing to say behind closed doors versus what they say in public. In that spirit: Dylan Mulvaney needs mental health care, not endorsement deals," he tweeted.
\u201cOne of the goals of my candidacy for president of the United States is to close the gap between what people are willing to say behind closed doors versus what they say in public. In that spirit: Dylan Mulvaney needs mental health care, not endorsement deals.\u201d— Vivek Ramaswamy (@Vivek Ramaswamy) 1681304359
Ramaswamy has also called for prohibiting puberty blockers and genital mutilation for minors.
"Ban genital mutilation & puberty blockers before age 18. Treat gender dysphoria as a mental health disorder. Ban addictive social media before age 16. Protect our children *now,* " he tweeted. "A mom or dad trying to change the gender of their child is munchausen by proxy. It's not compassion. It's abuse. Most people agree with this but feel afraid to say it out loud," he declared in another tweet.
Former President Donald Trump, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley are also vying for the GOP presidential nomination. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday, a move that indicates that he may eventually jump into the fray as well.
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INVENTORY LIQUIDATION: Anheuser-Busch is selling EIGHT brands after losing $27 BILLION in market value
Although it’s been several months since Bud Light went up in flames for the marketing scandal involving trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, we’re just now beginning to see how far-reaching the consequences are.
Anheuser-Busch has now lost “$27 billion in market value,” according to a report released yesterday, which is why the brewing company is being forced to sell eight of its “beloved brands.”
Pat Gray plays a clip of Alissa Heinerscheid, the marketing VP behind Bud Light’s calamitous campaign, stating: “I had a really clear job to do when I took over Bud Light, and it was this brand is in decline, it’s been in decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand, there will be no future for Bud Light.”
“In other words, if you’re drinking Bud Light right now, you’re too old, and we don’t want you,” he says.
Heinerscheid also reportedly insulted the brand’s “frat-boy image” when a huge portion of its customer base was college boys.
Pat and Jeffy both think Dylan Mulvaney didn’t single-handedly cause the massive drop in sales; he was merely “the straw that broke the camel’s back” after ongoing insults were hurled at the brand’s customer base.
“For decades [Bud Light] was the top-selling beer in America,” says Pat, but a 2023 survey shows it’s “now at number 15.”
If Bud Light was in decline pre-Mulvaney, its fate is certainly sealed now.
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