Benzinga - by Chris Katje, Benzinga Staff Writer. Singer Kid Rock has been among the many vocal opponents targeting beer brand Bud Light, which drew controversy after partnering with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
After speaking out against the Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) beer brand and calling for boycotts, the singer might be having a change of heart and ready to enjoy Bud Light “All Summer Long” once again.
What Happened: Sales of the Bud Light brand have fallen after calls for boycotts amplified and consumers switched to other brands in recent months.
Kid Rock was among the many singers who spoke out against the beer brand’s decision to send Mulvaney customized cans with her image on them.
The pushback against Bud Light has been fierce, and the beer brand lost its title of bestselling beer in the U.S., which it had held for several years.
Months after shooting Bud Light cans of beer with an assault rifle on his property and famously saying “F*** Bud Light and F*** Anheuser-Busch,” Kid Rock may have had a change or heart.
Photos shared by TMZ show the artist drinking Bud Light at the Skydeck concert venue in Nashville, while watching a Colt Ford concert.
“The former rocker seemed pretty relaxed as he clutched the blue can, taking sips while chatting and laughing with some friends,” TMZ reported.
TMZ said it was unclear if other beer brands were available at the venue but noted it was a “pretty shocking” move given his past criticism of Bud Light.
Some have called Kid Rock out on social media and accused the anti-woke singer of going woke.
Several media outlets reached out to Kid Rock and his reps to ask about the pictures and didn’t receive response.
I guess “Only God Knows Why” Kid Rock was drinking Bud Light.
Related Link: Bud Light Hopes To Win Back Fans Through NFL, Country Music
Why It’s Important: Benzinga previously reported that Modelo Especial, owned by Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), passed Bud Light as the market share leader for U.S. retail store beer sales.
Modelo Especial’s 8.4% market share in May came in ahead of Bud Light, which had previously topped the market share leadership position since 2001, after passing Budweiser.
Bud Light sales have seen drops of 20% year-over-year, and the beer brand has lost market share to brands owned by Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE: TAP).
Anheuser-Busch InBev recently reported second-quarter results, which missed analysts' revenue estimates and revealed that the volume was down 1.4% year-over-year.
Billy Busch, an heir to the Anheuser-Busch family and Bud Light brand, recently said he’s open to buying back the company from the current owners.
“Sell it to me. I’ll be the first in line to buy that brand back from you, and we’ll make that brand great again,” Busch told Tomi Lahren on her “Fearless” show.
Busch said that Anheuser-Busch InBev had made some mistakes getting away from its customer base.
“I think InBev doesn’t understand who their core drinker is. It’s a Brazilian-based company that really doesn’t live here in America.”
Price Action: Anheuser-Busch InBev shares are down 6.5% year-to-date in 2023, while the stocks of Molson Coors and Constellation are up 27.5% and 13% year-to-date respectively.
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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