It's hard to believe, between the Russia-Ukraine war, record high temperatures sweeping the globe, Canadian wildfires, an increasingly crowded presidential race, and Taylor Swift's global tour, that we still have time to squeeze in a debate about what kind of values a light beer stands for.
Bud Light, for one, used to be a favorite beer of the right-leaning crew.
DON'T MISS: Bud Light Controversy Drags In a New Victim
"I love the night life, I love my Bud Light, I like 'em cold and tall," country music star Billy Currington sings in his 2010 hit song "I'm Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer."
Except, 13 years later, Bud Light royally ostracized that crew when it worked with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney to promote its product in honor of March Madness.
"This month I celebrated my day 365 of womanhood," Mulvaney said in an Instagram video posted on April 1. "And Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift ever: a can with my face on it!"
The post sparked backlash and a slew of online hate directed at both Mulvaney and Bud Light. The beer company ultimately apologized for dividing America, though it continues to draw the ire of basically everybody; it is now the central victim of a nationwide boycott.
Kid Rock posted a viral video of himself shooting several racks of the light beer, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a formal letter to parent company Anheuser Busch (BUDFF) -) demanding an inquiry into the Mulvaney partnership (the Beer Institute's Code Compliance Review Board [CCRB] ultimately ruled the promotion was not in violation of its partnership marketing code).
The Bud Light Boycott Rages -- And Opens New Opportunity
And as we are now in our fourth month of the Bud Light firestorm, other beers and beverages are gaining ground. Modelo is now officially the most popular beer in America and retailers have been seen selling Bud Light at deep discounts.
So a new beverage has stepped in to fill the void that Bud Light has left. Gay Water, a canned vodka cocktail series that embraces what it means to be gay.
herbie fully loaded pic.twitter.com/9wXxUKYiFB
— Gay Water (@drinkgaywater) July 14, 2023
"It’s hard to believe that there are so few products on the market that represent the community outside of pride month," the site reads. "When you really think about, how many products can you think about that have 'gay' in the title? Maybe 3?"
Founded by Spencer Hoddeson, an openly gay man, it promises to bring a proudly gay product to households and bars everywhere.
"Gay water has always been a colloquialism for vodka soda, so surprise, that’s our core product. However, we see ourselves as a lifestyle brand here to bring back the original definition of the word gay by putting our products everywhere - your restaurant, your bar, your liquor store, your grocery store, and your home."
Gay Water comes in four flavors: lime, watermelon, peach and grapefruit. Six-packs start at $18.25 and a variety pack of 12 will cost $36.50.
The cocktail launches July 20 at 9 am and ships to 35 states.
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