Here’s to America the beautiful. Hold her high this summer. #ThisBudsForYou pic.twitter.com/puATIxT0Th
— Budweiser (@Budweiser) May 10, 2016
The self-anointed King of Beers has taken brand whoring to impressive new levels of patriotism. This week, Anheuser-Busch announced its Budweiser brand was actually going to change its name to America (at least until November when the elections occur). Ironic twist: Budweiser is an American-style pale lager actually produced by a Belgian multinational corporation called Anheuser-Busch InBev (a.k.a. the dreaded Beer Voltron). According to Vox (we’re fans), the rebranding is a nod to the 2016 presidential race and a misunderstanding of the word icon.
“We thought nothing was more iconic than Budweiser and nothing was more iconic than America,” Tosh Hall, the creative director at branding firm JKR, told Fast Company, which is a sentence that might seem a little grandiose even coming from the mouth of Don Draper.
It seems to be a common reaction. How did the rest of the internet feel about Budweiser’s terribly transparent flag waving scheme to make more money? These are all via Twitter:
We are not mad because Budweiser is calling themselves America. We are more upset that they call themselves beer.
— BadJimmysBrewery (@BadJimmys) May 10, 2016
Proposed labels for our summer beers: Still USA IPA. Close-to-Canada Czech Pils. Not Seceded Saison. https://t.co/kFihJHtn7G #drinkcraft
— Resurgence Brewing (@ResurgenceBrew) May 10, 2016
Budweiser’s rebrand means hops will now be infused with crumbling infrastructure and student loan debt pic.twitter.com/mXu8tzZ1Mj
— Astead Wesley (@AsteadWH) May 10, 2016
Budweiser is owned by a Belgian company. https://t.co/YGF4EeZMXm
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) May 10, 2016
If you like America, and you like the taste of hose water and dirty pocket change, this Bud’s for you: https://t.co/x5pHrlAa9D
— Matthew Reed (@matthewmreed) May 10, 2016
Maybe instead of ‘America’ #Budweiser could more appropriately rebrand as ‘Acquisition.’ #beer https://t.co/2SXewXlmNu
— America’s Brew Studs (@BrewStuds) May 11, 2016
With budweiser being rebranded “america,” I presume bud light is being rebranded “canada” via @zpower pic.twitter.com/kkTplZ1lMd
— Scott Wise (@brewhouse) May 11, 2016
America is weak, cheap, and tastes like pee. #budweiserAmerica
— Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) May 10, 2016
Anyone who’s worked in the craft beer industry and dealt with the TTB re: fanciful beer names should be pissed: https://t.co/jGB6aBvHzb
— Doug Bartow (@dougbartow) May 10, 2016
BUDWEISER NAMES ITS BEER IN BID TO MAKE EVEN THE MOST FLAG-WAVING PATRIOT SAY, ‘YEP. I HATE AMERICA’. https://t.co/oz4uAZe9hn #DALEKRAGE
— THE REPUBLICAN DALEK (@RepublicanDalek) May 10, 2016
It’s exciting Budweiser is changing its name to America. Finally, they’ll make it in China.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) May 10, 2016
Budweiser renamed its beer “America” because it’s no longer America’s beer https://t.co/9akJEUQ7Hd
— Vox (@voxdotcom) May 10, 2016
Hey, @Budweiser – this is a joke, right? This is not what America tastes like. pic.twitter.com/WCo8kNMWP3
— All Grain Beer (@AllGrainBeer) May 10, 2016
If Budweiser is now called “America”, when do they make America great again?
— Kick (@MatthewKick) May 10, 2016
hahaha nice try budweiser but i already created the most american beer label ever c&d in the mail pic.twitter.com/VFqRyeb3ZN
— BryanDRoth (@BryanDRoth) May 10, 2016
Budweiser is renaming their beer “America”, but it’s pronounced “[audible eye roll]”.
— Jason Sweeney (@sween) May 10, 2016
Hey Budweiser and your America campaign. Suck it! You are not America.
— detroit titan hoops (@titanmike89) May 11, 2016
Wake me up when they change the name of America to Budweiser.
— Luke O’Neil (@lukeoneil47) May 10, 2016
Not a parody.https://t.co/aNctPWalb2
— Jim Coudal (@Coudal) May 10, 2016
WAKE UP, AMERICA! BUDWEISER IS LYING TO YOUR SMOOTH ROUND FACES
— Todd (@Sexii_Boot_Boii) April 29, 2016
This is what happens when you try to rename one of your beers “America” https://t.co/kYb2mt7Sce
— Brad Rhen (@bradrhen) May 10, 2016
This is the only #Budweiser related news that I care to share today. https://t.co/kXD2WK4eHR
— Lisa (@crafty_lisafl) May 10, 2016
