Amidst an ongoing boycott of Bud Light and some of its other products, Anheuser-Busch has reportedly offered to buy back unsold stock left on store shelves.
In a recent expose, The Wall Street Journal claimed, “The brewer recently told its wholesalers that it would buy back unsold cases of beer that have gone past their expiration date.”
The announcement led to a chorus of cheers from those urging for the continued boycott of Anheuser-Busch products after Bud Light sent a commemorative can to self-identified transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Retired Navy commander Al Tournas said, “Bud Light is paralyzed. Let this be a lesson to any company that feels compelled to enter the culture war.”
Similarly, Jenna Ellis, a former advisor and legal counsel to former President Donald Trump, tweeted laughing emojis in response to the announcement.
Matt Walsh, one of the loudest voices supporting the boycott, suggested, “The Bud Light boycott will prove to be one of the most significant conservative victories of this decade. It was never just about Bud Light. It was about sending a message.”
The boycott has been so effective that in some parts of the country, images have circulated allegedly showing that cases of beer remain unsold even when offered with a 100% discount.
The reaction from some consumers caused Bud Light sales to plummet, and the executive behind the Mulvaney marketing ploy has been put on a leave of absence.
Furthermore, other executives have distanced themselves from the incident, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Anheuser-Busch’s U.S. CEO, Brendan Whitworth, apologized, “We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.”
“My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another,” Whitworth added. “As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage.”
“Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across the nation,” Whitworth said.
His apology subsequently prompted several LGBTQ bars to announce their own boycott, with bar owners condemning the company for “re-doubling their efforts to bow down to those who were spewing hate.”
Complicating the issue for Anheuser-Busch, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has called for an investigation into the company’s marketing strategy for potentially violating industry standards by messaging beer to underage viewers, as reported by The Dallas Express.