Backlash from Super Bowl Ad Continues for A-B InBev

by Ryan Hudak on Feb 13, 2015 in Beer
Backlash from Super Bowl Ad Continues for A-B InBev
During the Super Bowl, AB InBev aired the now-infamous anti-craft beer commercial about brewing “the hard way.” As it turns out, the 3,000+ craft breweries around the country—including the one InBev had just purchased—and their innumerable fans and supporters didn’t take too kindly to the commercial’s misguided jabs and inaccuracies.

The day after the ad first aired, Paste Magazine did a pretty in-depth and scathing takedown, with my favorite point showing the hypocrisy of the ad: InBev specifically calls out peach pumpkin ales, not realizing—or not caring—that the latest craft brewery they gobbled up (Elysian) brews a beer in exactly that style. The best part being that, in a later attempt to backpedal, the Budweiser VP, Brian Perkins, called it a “fabricated, ludicrous flavor combination.” Open mouth, insert foot.

The commercial has spawned two excellent parodies, with the more serious-minded version by HopStories, touting the variety of flavors of craft beer over “your one”—clearly aimed at Budweiser. The second, an excellently not-so-serious version by Ninkasi Brewing, which takes down pretty much every premise put forth in the Budweiser commercial.

Despite the further backpedaling by Budweiser saying the commercial wasn’t anti-craft, but more pro-Bud, the winners in all of this may yet be the craft brewers. Apparently InBev didn’t realize just how many friends craft beer has in the US political system, and the ad has reinvigorated attempts at passing the Small BREW Act, legislation which aims to drop the tax rate from $7.00 to $3.50 on a brewery’s first 60,000 barrels, and then drop it $2.00 on anything from 60,001 barrels to 2 million barrels. Anyone producing 6 million barrels or more, however, won’t see any benefit.

This change in legislation is probably the only way for anyone to see any benefit from the commercial, other than Budweiser being talked about by craft beer fans far more than is normal. On the strength of the commercial alone, the people who are outraged by it probably don’t drink Budweiser anyway, and anyone who agrees with the commercial and it’s outlandish claims probably won’t be reaching for a craft beer any time soon. 

Photo via YouTube


Tags: Beer
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
Coopers' Craft Bourbon Is Now Available in 12 States With a New Barrel Reserve Expression

Coopers' Craft Bourbon Is Now Available in 12 States With a New Barrel Reserve Expression

Coopers' Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon has debuted an entirely new label design, has expanded to more states...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 3, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close